Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director Corporate Services.

Agreed:

RESOLVED that the Executive Committee note the Members’ Training report.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report on the progress of work on the Members’ training programme and the attendance and feedback for the various training sessions, since May 2023.

Particular reference was made to:-

·         there had been 18 training and briefing sessions held since May, which showed an average attendance of 49%;

·         there had been an increased number of Councillors who were not in attendance of the live sessions, who had used the recordings to confirm that they had completed the training;

·         there had been 41 feedback responses, showing that 50% of Members were very satisfied and 40% satisfied with the training received. All feedback was sent to the training providers for their information;

·         the online training platform had been renewed for another year and Members were encouraged to complete the GDPR training and Safeguarding training; and

·         an Effective Scrutiny training session had been arranged on 7 September and a further training session for Council Meetings and Procedures had also been arranged for November 2023.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Democratic Services and Environmental Health advised that the Councillor Development Steering Group had recently met and discussed the training programme. They agreed that there was excellent training being provided, particularly for new Councillors. They also suggested that some additional work was required on the training for more experienced Councillors, with more variety and engagement, for Licensing and Planning training sessions.

Councillor D. Moore, as an opposition group leader, spoke on this item and advised that Members of her group had been satisfied with training provided to date.

During the discussion the following points were made:-

·         thanks and recognition to the Assistant Democratic Services Officer for the hard work undertaken in organising the training programme, particularly for the period following the elections;

·         thanks to all the officers who had provided training and shadowing opportunities to date.

·         assurance was needed that points raised in Councillor Feedback would be acted on by the providers; and

·         the report highlighted the volume of work and training undertaken by Councillors which demonstrated their commitment to their role as elected Members.

The Leader welcomed the report and the first rate training provided to Members.

RESOLVED that the Executive Committee note the Members’ Training report.