Agenda item

(a)      That the Committee agree to categorise the 12 sessions listed in Para. 1.05 as ‘mandatory’ and the remaining sessions as ‘discretionary’.

(b)      That if Members had any suggestions for future development ‘topics’, they were invited to contact the Democratic Services Manager to discuss them.

(c)       That the Committee receive a quarterly report of attendance at each of the sessions delivered.

            The Democratic Services Manager presented the report and provided an overview of the training and development plan for Members which was based on the Statutory and Non- Statutory Guidance for Principal Councils in Wales,  with Appendix 1 highlighting relevant information on this.  He explained that the information had been split into two sections with mandatory training relative to the role of a Councillor on Planning and Licensing Committees, with follow up reports presented to committee around attendance at these mandatory training sessions.  The majority of training sessions would be delivered in house and would have the option to be held in person and remotely. The WLGA also provided remote sessions for Members together with remote sessions provided by Human Resources for Members to complete at their leisure on topics such as Cyber Ninja training.  

            The Chief Officer (Governance) confirmed that the list for mandatory sessions was based around the modules which employees were required to undertake.  It was suggested to rename them so Members undertook for example Cyber Security Training and Equalities.  Having broader topics could reduce the number which members were required to undertake.  He suggested that Carbon Reduction and Environmental Awareness was included which was around ensuring the Council achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.   The Council had a Carbon Reduction Policy and Climate Change Committee but this could not be confined to the work of one committee and it was important that all Members were aware of what was required to achieve this.

            The Democratic Services Manager confirmed that the Guidance did allow for more sessions to be included.

            Councillor Bernie Attridge referred to page 77, Information Technology General, and commented that Planning Committee members had requested extra training on the IT system which all members would benefit from and said that this was a priority.  Social Media and Communication had been requested by the Standards Committee and himself.  He also wondered if someone from the Ombudsman’s Office could attend to provide guidance around what Members were able to share on their private social media pages.  He referred to rules and regulations around freedom of speech on comments made by Members of Parliament and Assembly Members which would not be permitted to be made by County Councillors.  Clear guidance was required for Social Media and that training was provided by the Ombudsman’s Office

            The Chief Officer confirmed that he had spoken to the trainers prior to Christmas about Respectful Communication, especially around how to treat people with respect even when you disagree with them.  He had chased them again.  He referred to the Code of Conduct for Westminster and the Senedd, which were below the standards expected for local councillors and then provided an overview of the reasons for the formation of the Nolan Committee.   An outline of the different roles was provided between Members of Parliament, Members of the Senedd and local councillors.

            Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson welcomed the proposals put forward by the Chief Officer, especially those around Climate Change.  He did however have concerns around the number of training modules listed as mandatory and outlined his reasons for this.  He felt it would increase the pressure on councillors who worked and had to request the time to complete the training.    He fully appreciated that some of the mandatory training for Planning, for example, were needed but had reservations especially if they were penalised for not attending.  He commented that Members could also risk losing the good will of their employer.

The Chief Officer appreciated the perspective provided by Councillor Ibbotson.  He felt that moving the topics and combining the training could accommodate those Members with commitments.  Looking at the delivery method such as eLearning which could be completed in their own time could assist.  He then outlined the suggested themes which could be reduced to 6, Cyber Security,  Equalities, Environment & Carbon Reduction,  Safeguarding and Modern Slavery, Corporate Parenting which could be included with safeguarding.  This left Violence Against Women and Domestic Abuse which was mandated by Welsh Government.  There was also the Chairing Skills Training which would be just for Chairs.

Councillor Andrew Parkhurst shared Councillor Ibbotson’s concerns but welcomed the Chief Officer’s suggestion around how the courses were delivered. He commented that he had just completed the Cyber Ninja training which he found more convenient than having a 2-hour training session.  If these sessions could be delivered along these lines that it would ease the workload.  He referred to discussions in relation to Planning specifically for section 106 agreements and asked if this could be included within the modules.

In response the Democratic Services Manager confirmed that this would be included in the Planning training. 

Councillor Ted Palmer proposed that an item being included for all co-opted lay members to receive training on how the Council operated to enable them to scrutinise at committee. 

            Councillor Arnold Woolley referred to the Council’s Learning Academi which had topics which could be undertaken at home at their own leisure.   

            The Democratic Services Manager confirmed that this would be included in Appendix 1 under eLearning and would encourage Members to undertake the training available.

            Councillor Linda Thew referred to discretionary IT support and would like to see a range of sessions and support to be provided to suit people’s needs, online and in person.  Councillor Roz Mansell outlined the IT training that she had received when she collected her laptop but had not received any further training since.

The Democratic Services Manager agreed to take these comments on board when decisions were made around the delivery of these sessions.

The Chief Officer (Governance) then summed up the comments made which included:-

• Specific training around the use of the Planning System, software and 106 agreements
• Request that a range of different media, whether face to face or online.  Depending on the nature of the training to use face to face and eLearning to assist Members.
• The 5 themes for mandatory training put forward Cyber Security,  Equalities, Environment & Carbon Reduction,  Safeguarding  Modern Slavery and   Corporate Parenting,  and  Violence Against Women and Domestic Abuse
• Mandatory training for co-opted members

The recommendations within the report were approved.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the Committee agree to categorise the 12 sessions listed in Para. 1.05 as ‘mandatory’ and the remaining sessions as ‘discretionary’.

(b)      That if Members had any suggestions for future development ‘topics’, they were invited to contact the Democratic Services Manager to discuss them.

(c)       That the Committee receive a quarterly report of attendance at each of the sessions delivered.