Issue - meetings

To consider a report summarising member training and development events held during 2009/2010 and outlining planned activities for 2010/2011. 

The Committee considered a report summarising member training and development events held in 2009/10 and outlining planned activities for 2010/11.

The Member Development Panel had been appointed in January 2009 to identify priorities for member learning and development; discuss and agree procedures for its delivery; review the effectiveness of the Member Development Programme and the Member Development Strategy; and  act as a conduit for the exchange of information from and to political groups and the Portfolio Holder for Resources.   

The Panel, chaired by Councillor Wesley Fitzgerald, had met on a regular basis to discuss matters associated with Member learning and development and had developed the framework under which Member training was delivered. Notable successes had included development of the Member Development Strategy; contributing to the Council’s successful application for accreditation under Level One of the North West Charter on Elected Member Development; and working in partnership with Officers/external bodies to deliver a comprehensive Development Programme to meet the needs of the Council’s elected Members.        

Appendix 1 to the report provided a summary of the subjects offered to Members during 2009/2010 and the attendance levels recorded for each event. 

Work was now underway on putting together the Member Development Programme for 2010/2011.  Appendix 2 to the report set out the three elements which would make up the Programme: (1) Topics already confirmed and entered into the training diary; (2) Core subjects relating to the Council’s governance role; and (3) Proposed topics suggested by the Panel, based on Members’ needs.      

Other activities planned for the coming year included:

Evaluation of Training

North-West Charter on Elected Member Development - Level Two exemplar status

Personal Development Plan Interviews

Induction for new Members following the May 2011 elections

Members commented that the proposed list of topics in Part 3 of Appendix 2 should be expanded to include appropriate scrutiny training. They asked that dates for the courses be identified and communicated to Members as soon as possible.

RESOLVED

That

(1)   the report be noted;

(2)   the proposed topics listed in Part 3 of Appendix 2 be approved, subject to the addition of scrutiny training, and dates for the courses be identified and communicated to Members as soon as possible; and

(3)   the Member Development Officer be highly commended for her work on Member training and development over the last year.