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18 May 2026
Update report from Member Development Working Group
This report updates Members on the various workstreams currently being progressed by the Joint Standards Working group on Member Training.
At its previous meetings, the working group has made good progress, establishing training priorities, as well as protocols for evaluating Member training and managing Member training records.
It is proposed that once nominations are closed that democratic services write out to all those nominated, offering them a Member Safety briefing (during the pre-election period) supported by our North Yorkshire Police, Operation Ford Contact. In addition, supported by colleagues in our election team, candidate and agent briefings will also be arranged.
Primarily, this report provides an update on the development of the 2027 Member Induction and Training programme and associated work.
· MEMBER INDUCTION:
Following the all-out elections in May 2027, it is proposed that the Council takes a different approach to Member Induction.
1. In preparation for the new cohort of Elected Members in May 2027, the Democratic Services team has undertaken work to develop the Members’ Portal.
The Head of Democratic Services reviewed the existing members’ portal and also undertook a survey of members to understand; their engagement with the current system and their requirements moving forward. Taking on board Elected Member feedback and working together with the Democratic Services team, a new member portal has been designed.
The design and landing page has been updated, see below.
The boxes are pastel coloured with black font to ensure that they are easier to see.
The
Latest News box will link to the latest and past editions of
the Members Newsletter.
The Meetings & Agendas box will give a direct link to the Modgov pages on the CYC website.
The
Scrutiny box will include links to Scrutiny Committees, Task
and Finish Group Reports and further Scrutiny Resources.
The Expenses & Payroll box will give information on how to claim expenses via iTrent, Payroll support information and further information on Members Allowances and Travel and Subsistence Claims.
The Development & Training box will give links to recordings of Member training sessions, and an updated calendar of sessions.
The Meet the Team box will give contact details for all team members within Democratic Services, Civic and Electoral Services. Responsibilities for each team member will also be listed.
The Documents & Links box will give direct links to the Constitution, Member Code of Conduct, Licensing Policy and other important guides. Instructions will also be included on how to amend your Register of Interest (ROI). Information on ICT support is also included within this box.
The
Member Safety box will include information on Operation
Ford, the national Police operation to protect locally elected
representatives. It will include contact details for North
Yorkshire Police’s Officer for Member Safety, PC Steve
Armitage.
The
Civic box will include details on the current Civic Party
and how to contact them, if you wish to book them for your
event.
The Elections box will include details on Registration and the Annual Canvass, Elections, Polls, Referenda and the Business Improvement District (BID). It also gives contact for the Electoral Services team.
The Calendar box will give a direct link to all public council meetings along with training sessions, group meetings and ward councillor meetings.
2. To compliment the work of the Members’ Portal it is also proposed that a new Members Handbook is developed. The Member Handbook will provide an outline with further details available on the portal. It is proposed that the new handbook will be shared with newly elected Members. Suggested ideas for inclusion in the handbook are below:
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Introduction |
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Being a York Councillor |
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Committee Information |
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Committee Structure |
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Overview and Scrutiny |
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Record of Interests |
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Code of Conduct |
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Motions and Questions at meetings |
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Etiquette and Expectations at meetings |
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The Lord Mayor and Civic Party |
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Member Allowances Scheme |
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Personal safety guidance |
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Social Media |
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Member Development |
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Casework |
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Working with Officers |
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Corporate Parenting |
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Information Governance |
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Democratic Services Team |
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Senior Leadership Team |
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Useful Contacts |
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West Offices Floor Plan |
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Emergency Response Team |
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Corporate Plan |
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A&G Info Packs |
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Members’ Portal Guide |
3. Members are also asked to consider a proposed plan for how the Member Induction Day is delivered.
It is proposed that the Member induction day be structured differently, with one, half day, set aside to meet with new members (and any returning members that may wish to attend). Starting with a market place event which provides stalls and information about a range of Council Services.
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Start time |
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Duration |
Officers |
Location |
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9:00am |
Tea and coffee on arrival
Market place event (stalls with info from Public Health, Environmental health etc) |
30 mins |
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9:30 |
Chief Executive welcome |
20 mins |
Richard Webb |
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09.50 |
1. Business Intelligence – ward Data 2. Member Casework/ Contact centre
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1 hr |
1. (30 mins) 2. (30 mins)
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10.50 |
Tea and Coffee Break |
15 Mins |
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11.00 |
Corporate Induction and Tour of West Offices Collect ID badges |
45 mins |
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11:45 |
1. Code of Conduct 2. Register of Interest, and completion of forms 3. Member Training and support available 4. Data Protection
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1 hr |
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12.45pm – 1.45pm |
Networking Lunch with the Lord Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chief Executive and Executive Directors.
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1 hr |
Welcome from: Lord Mayor
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1.45pm |
Collect Laptops |
1 hr |
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Feedback and evaluation will be undertaken following the member induction session and a further evening session will take place for any Members that are unable to attend.
3. Following the member induction, it is proposed that the Council role out a new Member training schedule, building on the work the committee has undertaken this year to develop Member training.
The LGA has produced a framework to assist with and develop members understanding of their roles. The framework has identified key themes that Councillors need to know to help them work effectively. It is therefore proposed, moving forward, that the Member training schedule is based around these key themes, namely:
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Council Knowledge |
Constitution, Committee roles, data, role of Officers |
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Subject Knowledge
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Eg Housing/ health |
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System Knowledge |
How things work, how to get things done |
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Understanding Council Finances |
How the budget works, funding streams |
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Knowing the local area you represent
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Ward data |
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Keeping up to date |
How Communications work, social media |
In addition, the training programme will also include modules on personal and practical skills for Members, to help them in their Councillor role: Personal resilience/ chairing skills/ personal safety/ operation ford/ organisational skills and good time management and case management.
As well as skills and resources that can help a Councillor to assist with their role as local Leaders and politicians; communicating with the community, network building etc.