Agenda item

This report sets out the final draft of the proposed programme of Member Development events for 2009/2010.

Members considered a report that set out the final draft of the proposed programme of Member Development Events for 2009/2010. It was noted that it was now intended that the Cross Cutting Scrutiny Committee training sessions would be replaced by the “Exploring the Four Principles of Effective Scrutiny” event that was to be held on 29 July 2009.

It was agreed that there was a need to ensure that all training experiences were recorded, including those that had not been arranged directly by Member Support Services.  The PDPs would be a useful tool in recording training activity.  It was suggested that electronic certificates could be sent to Members who had attended a number of events.

The Steering Group would carry out an audit and review of training that had been undertaken and would consider factors impacting on the take-up of development opportunities and how cost-effective training sessions had been. It would therefore be helpful if Members were asked to indicate their reasons for declining training opportunities.  It was also important for Members to be encouraged to put forward suggestions regarding training sessions.

Consideration was given to the suggestions for additional events.  A proposal had been submitted by the Chief Executive and the Leader regarding ID&eA peer support to members of the three main groups to assist them in better aligning their focus on the Sustainable Community Strategy, the Corporate Strategy and the council’s budget process.  It was noted that the proposed cost of this support would be £6,400 plus expenses.  Discussion took place regarding the proposed allocation of the training to the groups and as to whether it would be possible to obtain the training at a reduced cost.  It would also be helpful to ascertain how the training differed to that offered by the LGA and to obtain details of the programme that was to be offered by the Leadership Academy when it came to the York region. 

Discussion took place regarding possible events that could be arranged for Local Democracy Week.  The promotion of citizenship and community leadership was one of the actions in the Member Development Charter Implementation Plan. 

Consideration was given to the commissioning of one or more consultants to undertake the Personal Development Plans (PDPs).  Expressions of interest had been received from two consultants and their biographies and details of their fees had been included in the report.  Members stressed the importance of ensuring that the process of putting in place PDPs commenced as soon as possible.

RESOLVED:            (i)            That the Member Development Programme for

2009/2010 be approved subject to the following additions¹:

·        An additional training session on “Safeguarding Adults” to be arranged for an evening during the Autumn 2009. 

·        “Officer Member Relationships” training session to be included in the programme.

·        A pre-council seminar to be arranged on “Understanding CAA and links to the Corporate Plan”.

(ii)               That further information be provided on the ID&eA Peer Support training, including more detailed costings (as outlined in Annex 2 that had been omitted from the agenda papers) and details of similar training offered by other providers (including the training offered through the Leadership Academy when it comes to York)².

(iii)That “A Councillor Who Me?” event be held during Local Democracy Week – the event to be funded from the departmental budget and not the budget allocated for Member development³.

(iv)            That the Working Group recommended that Mike Leitch

be appointed as external consultant for Members’ Personal Development Plans for 2009/10 and that the carrying out of PDPs commence as soon as possible⁴.

REASONS:    (i)         To enable arrangements for the delivery of planned

                                    events for 2009/2010 to commence.

(ii)To enable Democratic Services to make a suitable appointment for the provision of PDPs.