Issue - meetings

(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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26