Issue - meetings

Report of Chief Officer (Governance)

(a)       That the Annual Member Development Programme for 2015/16 as submitted be approved;

(b)       That the Democracy & Governance Manager , in consultation with the Chair and Vice-chair of the Committee be authorised to add items to the programme as necessary; and

(c)        That a report on the use of webinar (web based seminars) and the filming of training sessions be the subject of a report to a future meeting of the committee

The Member Engagement Manager introduced a report for the Committee to agree the Annual Development Programme for the Council Year 2015/16.  He provided background information and advised that in response to consultation with Members a number of topics had been suggested and a draft Member Development Programme 2015/16 was appended to the report for consideration.

                        In response to a concern raised by Councillor Ian Smith about those Members who work full time having access to training and development events held during the morning or afternoon, the Member Engagement Manager explained that whilst training events were offered at alternative times evening sessions had been poorly attended.  To achieve meaningful interaction a minimum number of Members are needed to be present and for the training session to be cost effective.

                        Councillor Andy Dunbobbin suggested that training sessions could be provided to Members on film so that the information could be accessed in Members’ own time.    Councillor Chris Bithell also spoke in support of the suggestion and referred to the benefit of being able to forward on training programmes recorded in this way to new Members in the future.  He asked if the facility to record training programmes/events could be explored.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Annual Member Development Programme for 2015/16 as submitted be approved;

(b)       That the Democracy & Governance Manager , in consultation with the Chair and Vice-chair of the Committee be authorised to add items to the programme as necessary; and

(c)        That a report on the use of webinar (web based seminars) and the filming of training sessions be the subject of a report to a future meeting of the committee