Agenda item

Member Development & Engagement

To provide the committee with an update

Decision:

(a)       That the Committee notes the progress with Member Development and Engagement events since the last report;

 

(b)       That the suggested training on Section 106 contributions and County Lines be actioned; and

 

(c)       That if Members have any further suggestions for future Member Development and Engagement, they are invited to contact the Head of Democratic Services to discuss them.

 

Minutes:

The Democratic Services Manager presented the latest progress report on Member Development and Engagement events which had been held since the last update in October.  As an update on future events, all Members had been invited to a Climate Change workshop on the morning of 25 February or an evening session on 5 March 2020.  Further workshops would be arranged on the Capital Programme, Council Plan, Domestic Violence and Social Value.  Members were encouraged to put forward suggestions for training and development on other topics.

 

Councillor David Healey proposed a workshop on Section 106 obligations and Strategic Industrial Locations (SILS) to provide clarity to Members on developer contributions.  This was seconded by Councillor Bithell.  Councillors Heesom and Peers spoke in favour of the workshop, with the latter suggesting more focus on pre-application planning work such as consultation with Highways.

 

Councillor Peers commended the recent workshop on County Lines but expressed concerns at the low attendance given the importance of this topic.  He asked that Councillor David Healey consider sharing the presentation slides with the Education and Youth Overview & Scrutiny Committee and also circulate to Secondary School Head Teachers.

 

Councillor Healey, who had also attended the workshop, welcomed the opportunity to raise awareness and requested that the item be scheduled on the Forward Work Programme.

 

Councillor Johnson suggested recording training sessions to benefit Members who were unable to attend.  The Democratic Services Manager advised that the County Lines workshop would be repeated on a number of occasions and that all Members would be invited.  On Councillor Smith’s suggestion for an evening session, he would make enquiries of North Wales Police who were responsible for delivering the workshop.

 

Councillor Roberts, who was present in the public gallery, highlighted County Lines as a major concern across all communities, with pupils permanently excluded from schools at risk.  He asked that the report considered at the recent Public Services Board meeting be anonymised and shared with Members to highlight that this was an issue affecting everyone.

 

Councillor Jones, who was also present, commended the numerous training sessions on County Lines which had been well attended and said that further slots could be requested via Fiona Mocko.  She said that a link on the training session was available from Fiona to share with Members.

 

Councillor Bithell cited County Lines/child sexual exploitation as a widespread issue spreading from cities to towns and villages.

 

The recommendations were moved by Councillor Heesom and seconded by Councillor Healey.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)       That the Committee notes the progress with Member Development and Engagement events since the last report;

 

(b)       That the suggested training on Section 106 contributions and County Lines be actioned; and

 

(c)       That if Members have any further suggestions for future Member Development and Engagement, they are invited to contact the Head of Democratic Services to discuss them.

 

Supporting documents: