Issue - meetings

The annual report on Elected Member training and development was agreed as follows:

(i)      the Elected Member learning and development activities of 2023/24 be noted; and

(ii)     the Policy for Elected Member Learning and Development, as set out in Appendix 2 to this report, be noted.

Councillor Rob Leach, Lead Member for Elected Member training and development, introduced the annual report which reviewed the activities of the past year and the ambitions for the coming year.  It was noted that, whilst the annual budget had been set aside as a saving for the Authority, every effort would be made to deliver a full and practical programme of events to support the Councillors in their roles.  Councillor Leach emphasised the importance of building knowledge and skills through learning and development, and it was hoped that the new Member induction process in May and June would be more interactive, an approach which should run through all training events.

As part of the presentation, Councillor Leach highlighted three requests for the Group Leaders: that they gather Members' reactions to the past training the training and identify their needs for the ensuing year; that all new Councillors and any existing Councillors who would appreciate it were given a mentor from their group; and that the Committees included learning and development as an item on their agenda for the first meeting of the year.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Leach for his introduction and the Council welcomed his comments and the report before them.

RESOLVED

That (i)    the Elected Member learning and development activities of 2023/24 be noted; and

          (ii)   the Policy for Elected Member Learning and Development, as set out in Appendix 2 to this report, be noted.

Councillor Leach, Lead Councillor for Member Learning and Development, presented the annual report on the Council’s learning and development activities over the past year.

It was noted that there would no longer be a budget to commission training events for the coming Municipal Year.  However, Officers would ensure that a comprehensive programme was provided over the year, identifying opportunities both within the Authority and through agencies such as the Local Government Association without incurring a financial cost to the Council.

Included in the report was the Council’s Policy for Member learning and development which had been reviewed and was before the Council for approval.

RESOLVED

That (i)    the Elected Member learning and development activities of 2022- 23 be noted; and

          (ii)   the updated Policy for Elected Member Learning and Development, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, be adopted.

Councillor Elson, Lead Councillor for Member Learning and Development, presented the annual report on the Council’s learning and development activities over the past year.  It was noted that the areas of finance and planning would be prioritised over the coming Municipal Year.

Included in the report was the Council’s Policy for Member learning and development which had been reviewed and was before the Council for approval.

RESOLVED

That  (i)    the Elected Member learning and development activities of 2021-22 be noted; and

          (ii)   the updated Policy for Elected Member Learning and Development, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, be adopted.