DEMOCRACY COMMITTEE |
2 JULY 2018 |
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Member Learning and Development |
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Final Decision-Maker |
Democracy Committee |
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Lead Head of Service |
Head of Policy, Communications and Governance |
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Lead Officer and Report Author |
Sam Bailey – Democratic and Administration Services Manager |
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Classification |
Public |
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Wards affected |
All |
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Executive Summary |
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This report sets out a review of Learning and Development activities undertaken by Councillors in 2017/18, and recommendations to improve the provision of Learning and Development for Councillors in 2018/19.
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This report makes the following recommendations to this Committee: |
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1. That the Learning
and Development activities undertaken in 2017/18 are noted. 2. That the Training
Plan for 2018/19 is agreed. 3. That the Local Government Association’s Member Development Charter is adopted as the Council’s approach to Member Learning and Development.
4. That Group
Leaders report back to Democracy Committee at the year end on member learning
and development. |
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Timetable |
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Meeting |
Date |
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Democracy Committee |
2 July 2018 |
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Member Learning and Development |
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1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
1.1 The Democracy
Committee has responsibility for Member Learning and Development. In accordance
with the Constitution, one of the Committee’s functions is to ‘advise
Councillors and the Head of Human Resources Shared Service on Councillor
development priorities where appropriate’.
1.2 This report outlines the development activities carried out over the previous year (2017/18) and proposes the creation of a Member Development Working Group to identify learning and development priorities for members and draw up a training plan.
Learning
and Development Carried out in 2017/18
1.3 A wide range of
Learning and Development activities were carried out in 2017/18. These ranged
from formal training sessions, to attendance at Conferences and member
briefings on important topics. Overall, 24 different Learning and Development
Activities were formally arranged by Officers. However it is important to note
that sometimes these events were repeated to ensure as many Councillors could
attend as possible.
1.4 Attendance at these
events varied. The event with the lowest attendance had six members (Planning
Induction) and the event with the highest attendance had 26 members (Planning
Annual Refresher) – although this event took place on five separate dates due
to member availability.
1.5 A small budget of £10,600 is available to pay for member learning and development activities. In 2017/18 £5,924.93 was spent of the budget. The table below sets out the spend compared to previous years.
Year |
Spend |
2017-18 |
£5,924.93 |
2016-17 |
£3,937.59 |
2015-16 |
£5,642.19 |
2014-15 |
£6,752.15 |
2013-14 |
£7,795.16 |
2012-13 |
£6,281.39 |
1.6 Appendix 1 sets out
the different learning and development activities that were undertaken in
2017/18, along with the number of members that attended each session.
Training Plan for 2018/19
1.7 The Training Plan for 2018/19 is attached to this report as Appendix 3. The plan outlines briefings, training sessions and site visits planned for the 2018/19 municipal year. The plan includes sessions that have already taken place for information.
Member Learning and Development Needs
1.8 Whilst a wide
variety of Learning and Development activities had been carried out in 2017/18,
these had not all been well attended.
1.9 The Local
Government Association has produced a Member Development Charter that sets out
best practice for member development. Authorities are able to self assess
against the framework and choose to adopt the measures set out within the
framework that they see appropriate. The Member Development Framework is
attached to this report as Appendix 2. It is recommended that the Democracy
Committee adopts this charter as the Council’s approach to member learning and
development.
1.10 It is proposed that Member learning and development be considered regularly by the Group Leaders at their Leaders’ Forum meetings. This will ensure strategic ownership of Councillor Learning and Development. If changes are required to the programme these will be recommended to the Democracy Committee for decision. This is a key initial requirement of the Local Government Association’s Member Development Charter.
1.11 The Democratic Services Team keep a record of all Councillors’ attendance at Learning and Development events. This record of attendance should be reviewed regularly by the Group Leaders so they can work to improve attendance at learning events.
2.
AVAILABLE
OPTIONS
2.1 The Committee could
choose not to adopt the Training Plan for 2018/19. However a lack of training
would make it difficult for Councillors to carry out their roles effectively.
2.2 The Committee could
choose not to adopt the Local Government Association’s Member Development
Charter as the Council’s approach to member learning and development. However
if the Committee chooses not to adopt this charter then there is a risk that
member learning and development is not given the priority it deserves.
2.3 The Committee could
choose not to have the Leaders report back to them at the end of the year.
However this would mean the Committee would not have an opportunity to hold the
group leaders to account and would not ensure appropriate Member leadership of
learning and development.
2.4 The Committee could choose not to involve Political Group Leaders in member learning and development, or choose to involve a different group of members to help identify learning and development needs. However this risks not giving member learning and development the strategic prominence it requires.
3. PREFERRED OPTION AND REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 The Committee is
recommended to approve the training plan for 2018-19 to ensure members have the
appropriate training and development for the municipal year to support
effective decision making and the development of Councillors.
3.2 The Committee is
recommended to adopt the Local Government Association’s Member Development
Charter in order to ensure the council complies with best practice in relation
to member learning and development.
3.3 The Committee is recommended to approve Group leaders reporting back to the Committee at year end on Member development to assess the political leadership’s commitment to Member development.
4. RISK
4.1 The risks associated with this proposal, including the risks if the Council does not act as recommended, have been considered in line with the Council’s Risk Management Framework. We are satisfied that the risks associated are within the Council’s risk appetite and will be managed as per the Policy.
5. CONSULTATION RESULTS AND PREVIOUS COMMITTEE FEEDBACK
5.1 The training plan and review of training needs is brought to Committee on a regular basis. It was last considered by the Committee in July 2017.
6. NEXT STEPS: COMMUNICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION
6.1 Training and developments sessions are advertised to all Councillors regularly.
7. CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS
Issue |
Implications |
Sign-off |
Impact on Corporate Priorities |
Accepting the recommendations will materially improve the Council’s ability to achieve all of its priorities by ensuring the members have the skills to fulfil their roles to the best of their ability |
Democratic and Administration Services Manager |
Risk Management |
See paragraph 4.1 |
Democratic and Administration Services Manager |
Financial |
The proposals set out in the recommendation are all within already approved budgetary headings and so need no new funding for implementation. |
Section 151 Officer & Finance Team |
Staffing |
We will deliver the recommendations with our current staffing. |
Democratic and Administration Services Manager |
Legal |
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Privacy and Data Protection |
There are no implications for privacy and data protection. |
Head of Policy, Communications and Governance |
Equalities |
The recommendations do not propose a change in service therefore will not require an equalities impact assessment |
Equalities nad Corporate Policy Officer |
Crime and Disorder |
No impact. |
Democratic and Administration Services Manager |
Procurement |
No impact. |
Democratic and Administration Services Manager |
8. REPORT APPENDICES
The following documents are to be published with this report and form part of the report:
· Appendix 1: Member Learning and Development Events held in 2017/18
· Appendix 2: LGA Member Development Charter and Charter Plus
· Appendix 3: Member Training Plan 2018/19
9. BACKGROUND PAPERS
None