Agenda item

(a)       That the current Member Development Strategy be recognised as good practice;

(b)       That the Member Development Strategy be supported as the basis to ensure adequate provision for member development and support for the new Council to be elected in 2017;

(c)        That the Committee agree that the emphasis, in the last year of the current council should be on the provision of training where there is a perceived need, rather than seeking to provide a full programme; and

(d)       That discussion takes place with Group Leaders to determine why professional development meetings with Members are not taking place and feedback be provided to the Committee, and the possibility of the officers also undertaking personal development meetings with Members be explored.

The Member Engagement Manager introduced a report on the current Member Development Strategy.  The report outlined how Member training and development had  been supported during 2015/16 and what training and development would be offered in the current year prior to the elections in May 2017.

The Member Engagement Manager referred to the annual Development Programme which was agreed by the Committee and to feedback given on Member development events.  He said that ongoing training was provided to members of the Planning, Licensing , Audit, and Pensions Committees and Member role descriptions and other information was available on the Infonet and in the Members’ library.

Turning to the Member Development Programme for 2015/16 and the  workshops which had been provided, the Officer explained that a more flexible approach to training and development had been introduced during the year and the benefit of  shorter more focussed sessions with smaller groups was recognised.    

Referring to the current, final year of the Council, the Member Engagement Manager advised that training for statutory committees would continue to be provided and further sessions could be arranged if there was need.  He reported that a refresher training session for Chairs would be held on 15 July 2016, but no other formal ‘development’ events had been arranged in this year.  Councillor Paul Cunningham said there may be interest from Members who aspired to the position of Chair or Vice Chair and suggested that anyone who expressed such an interest also be included in the training.

Councillor Chris Bithell sought clarification regarding the personal development meetings referred to in paragraph 1.01 of the report.  The Member Engagement Manager explained the purpose of the meetings and advised that discussion had taken place with Group Leaders and some training provided on how the review meeting should be conducted.  He commented that he was not aware that such interviews had been carried out, however, this may be because Members did not want them or there was no requirement.  Councillor Bithell asked if an appropriate officer could undertake a personal development meeting with a Member.  The Member Engagement Manager commented that the WLGA held the view that the meetings should take place Member to Member but he could not see any reason why an officer would not be able to undertake this work if Members wished to discuss their individual training needs with an officer instead.

Councillor Chris Bithell proposed that the matter be given further consideration and that discussion should take place with an officer who was independent.   Councillor Andy Dunbobbin seconded the proposal.  It was stated that annual appraisals were important in terms of personal development and if they were not taking place the reason why needed to be established.

The Chief Officer (Governance) advised that whilst it could be of some benefit for Members to discuss their personal development needs with an officer there may be some difficult situations which may arise as a result.

Councillor Dave Mackie requested that further training on the use of the ipad be provided for Members.  Councillor Andy Dunbobbin referred to his previous suggestion that training video/material be provided on the Council’s website to assist Members with their training needs.

Councillor Clive Carver suggested that the timing of  training events/sessions be guided by the needs of new members following  the Council elections in May 2017. 

Councillor Hilary McGuill commented on the need to keep an updated record of the training undertaken by Members and also the training required.  She expressed the view that all Members should be required to attend training in Corporate Parenting.

Councillor Glyn Banks referred to the nomination of Members to committees and sub committees and suggested that Members be provided with the appropriate training for the terms of reference/specialisms of the  committees.  He also commented on ‘poor’ attendance at training events and suggested that sessions be arranged to coincide with meetings of the County Council when the majority of Members were in attendance.

In response to a comment from Councillor Arnold Woolley, the Chief Officer (Governance) explained there were a large number of proposals being considered by Welsh Government around  how local authorities provided mandatory and non mandatory training as part of the Local Government Bill.  Welsh Government intended to continue with the proposals around training even though it would change the parts of the bill that dealt with local government reorganisation.

Councillor Chris Bithell put forward an amendment to his  proposal and asked that discussion took place with Group Leaders to determine why professional development meetings with Members were not taking place and that feedback be provided to the Committee.  In addition he asked that the possibility of the Authority’s officers also undertaking personal development meetings with Members be explored.  This was agreed by the Committee. 

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the current Member Development Strategy be recognised as good practice;

(b)       That the Member Development Strategy be supported as the basis to ensure adequate provision for member development and support for the new Council to be elected in 2017;

(c)        That the Committee agree that the emphasis, in the last year of the current council should be on the provision of training where there is a perceived need, rather than seeking to provide a full programme; and

(d)       That discussion takes place with Group Leaders to determine why professional development meetings with Members are not taking place and feedback be provided to the Committee, and the possibility of the officers also undertaking personal development meetings with Members be explored.