Joint Standards Committee	13 May 2025
Report of the Deputy Monitoring Officer

Member Training and Development

Summary

1. The purpose of this report is to update the Committee on the work being undertaken within Democratic Governance to plan, develop and enhance the member training and development programme and seeks the formation of a cross-party member working group.

Background

2. The Joint Standards Committee has the responsibility “To lead on the design and implementation and subsequent review of the Member Development programme, including the induction programme for City of York Councillors, and where necessary and appropriate work in conjunction/collaboration with the Audit and Governance Committee;..” (City of York Council Constitution, Article 10).

3. A small officer working group within Democratic Services was established in 2024 to review the member induction programme from 2023 and look at ways in which to enhance the programme to ensure ongoing, appropriate training is provided to members throughout the four-year term of office, as well as during the induction period.

4. Alongside this, members will be aware that North Yorkshire Police has appointed an officer with responsibility for the work of Operation Ford, which offers safety and security advice and support to elected members at the upper tiers of local government (i.e. unitary, county and district/borough councils).

5. The officer is keen to establish some joint member working across City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council. A member working group has already been established at North Yorkshire Council for this purpose.

6. Member advice, briefings and training will be a significant feature of Operation Ford, therefore, it seems appropriate to include this remit within the work of the proposed working group.

7. The draft terms of reference document for the proposed working group is attached at Annex A.

8. Working groups are not committees and do not make decisions, therefore, they are not bound by political proportionality rules. However, members may wish to apply the general principles of proportionality in determining the size and makeup of the working group.

9. Any recommendations of the group that require a formal decision will be referred initially to Joint Standards Committee.

Implications

Financial

10. There is currently budgetary provision of £5,000 per year for Member training.

Human Resources (HR)

11. Not applicable to this report.

Equalities

12. An accessible training programme is essential in ensuring that all members are able to undertake training. It is recommended that equalities training be included within the programme.

Legal

13. Not applicable to this report.

Crime and Disorder, Information Technology and Property

14. Not applicable to this report.

Recommendation

15. That the Joint Standards Committee;

a) agrees the establishment of a cross-party member working group, and determines the size and makeup of the working group, with the remit to:

i) develop and implement the member induction and training programme and undertake regular reviews as appropriate; and

ii) act as the liaison group for Operation Ford, undertaking joint working with North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Council members, as appropriate.

b) Finalises and approves the terms of reference of the working group, as set out in draft form at Annex A to the report.

Reason: to ensure that members have access to appropriate training and that member safety and security is addressed with relevant partners.

Author & Officer Responsible for the report: Lindsay Tomlinson Deputy Monitoring Officer lindsay.tomlinson@york.gov.uk
	Report Approved	ü	Date	1 May 2025
Wards Affected:					All	ü
For further information please contact the author of the report

Annexes:

Annex A:  Draft Terms of Reference of the Member Development Working Group

Background Papers:

CYC constitution Article 10: The Joint Standards Committee: Article 10 - The Joint Standards Committee.pdf

Local Government and Housing Act 1989: Local Government and Housing Act 1989