Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director Corporate Services.

Agreed:

RESOLVED that the Executive Committee note the report.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report which provided an update on the progress of work on the Members’ training programme and Members’ attendance and feedback for the various training sessions, which have been held since November 2023 to present. The report also provided a summary of the work undertaken by the Councillor Development Steering Group for 2023-24.

Particular reference was made to:-

·         the training feedback received from Members showed that 59% were either very satisfied or satisfied with the training provided;

·         the average turnout for the last quarter was 44%, and more work would be done to ensure training sessions were accessible; and

·         the safeguarding and GDPR training on the SSS training platform was notably popular with Members.

Opposition group leaders spoke on the item and made the following points:-

·         Cllr Moore – welcomed the figures and satisfaction levels.

·         Cllr Mitchell – noted that a planning training event was only open to six members and would therefore be 100% turnout.

During the debate, Members made the following points:-

·         the SSS training platform was commended in its ability in providing various training options at a user’s leisure;

·         GDPR and Safeguarding was recommended as priority training for all Councillors; and

·         one of the SSS training courses had been entered twice on the spreadsheet.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate & Democratic Services and Environmental Health in commending the report, advised that he had sought responses from Members, of which 80% had been very positive. Work had been undertaken on the training provided for licencing and planning to be more interactive and varied and further work on timings and accessibility was being taken.

The Leader moved, and Councillor Wright seconded, the recommendations which were voted upon and CARRIED unanimously.

RESOLVED that the Executive Committee note the report.