Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 16^th April, 2009 were agreed as a correct record.

With regards to Minute No. 43 (E-Casework) it was reported that an evaluation would be provided at the next meeting with a roll-out being planned for other Members.  Councillor Dodson expressed an interest to be involved and was advised to contact Richard Copley, ICT Strategy and Client Co-ordinator.

Reference was also made to Minute 44 (Emergency Planning Training) and the general take-up by Members.  It was suggested that future training be linked to the flu pandemic exercise.

Further to Minute No. 45 it was reported that several training sessions had been arranged on the constitution which covered various areas, including Community Call for Action and the conduct of Council meetings.

Councillor Austen also gave an update on her first year of the post graduate qualification and her experiences to date.

It was suggested that other Members be encouraged to take up some of the training packages currently on offer.

CathSaltis, Head of Scrutiny and Member Services, gave an update on the Member Development Programme and the discussions that were taking place to progress some of this training forward.

Councillor Austen referred to an e-mail she had received from Government Office Yorkshire and the Humber referring to the benefits of neighbourhood training.  As there was no knowledge of such training being made available it was suggested that the Head of Scrutiny and Member Services check this out.

Discussion also ensued on the benefits of seminars and the format these should take.  It was suggested that likely alternatives be considered further with the Democratic Services Manager.

Reference was also made to the sessions of Local Government Finance training that had been arranged with colleagues in Finance for Elected Members.

Agreed:-  That the Work Programme details and training on offer be noted.

CathSaltis, Head of Scrutiny and Member Services, gave an update on the bid that had been submitted to lead on member development for South Yorkshire given the good experience Rotherham had had on a regional basis previously.

Information had now been received to indicate that Rotherham had been selected by Government Office Yorkshire and the Humber and discussions would now take place on how to progress this forward.

Agreed:-  That feedback be provided in terms of the regional situation at the next meeting.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Head of Scrutiny and Member Services, which tried to clarify the current situation with regards to Member Champions in Rotherham, looked at good practice in other Authorities and attempted to provoke a discussion about whether it would be of benefit and interest to strengthen and promote the concept of Member Champions in Rotherham.

Discussion ensued on the value of Member Champions, their benefit and whether it should be the Cabinet Member that championed the cause.

Councillor McNeely pointed out that she had previously been the Better Regulation Champion in the past, but this position had since ceased.

It was also noted that Councillor S. Wright had designated seven Children’s Locality Safeguarding Champions.

The Panel requested further information as to what time would need to be allocated to the Champion role, what feedback mechanisms were available and the selection process and stressed the importance of having specific terms of reference and role definitions.  Whilst it was acknowledged that the safeguarding of children’s welfare was paramount, there was little information available to indicate what the job role entailed or what was required.

Discussion ensued on the best way to take this forward and whether there was a need for Member Champions.  It was, therefore, suggested that a further report be submitted setting out clearly whether there was a need for Member Champions and if so a specific role definition be established.

Agreed:-  (1)  That a further report be submitted setting out in detail if there was a role for Member Champions.

(2)  That should the need be demonstrated a specific role definition be established.

Consideration was given to the proposal for a potential Member development programme covering the broad aspects of equalities and community cohesion presented by the Head of Scrutiny and Member Support.

This proposal was taken on the basis that Rotherham already had a well established Member development programme driven and supported by the Members’ Training and Development Panel.

It was noted that Member development programmes were well attended in general with a very high percentage of Members having attended equalities and diversity training.

The Institute of Community Cohesion could, therefore, tailor the Member development programme within the local context of Rotherham with core elements of the programme being adapted and shared with other neighbouring authorities within the sub or even wider region. 

The training would ensure that strengths were built upon and included and involved local input into delivery of the programme.  The aim was also to encourage more robust evaluation of the programme than simple reference to participant satisfaction data. 

Discussion ensued on the proposals and it was noted that Rotherham already had an established Equalities and Diversity Unit, which should be utilised in providing in house training for Members.

However, given the possibility of sharing the costs of this training package with other partners it was suggested that contact be made with neighbouring Local Authorities to establish any interest.

Agreed:-  That expressions of interest be sought from partners and other Local Authorities with regards to the delivery of this community cohesion programme.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Services made reference  to the Member Workbook included as part of the agenda pack, which had been designed as a learning aid for Members.

It was suggested that this workbook be used when delivering training as it represented a good selection of good practices which were very useful.

Agreed:-  That training sessions be arranged to utilise the workbook and relevant officers be invited to attend.

Consideration was given to the Employee Suggestion Scheme request that an on-line Member chat room be established on a monthly basis which would enable groups such as the young, elderly or disabled to raise concerns and ask questions as a means to encouraging civil participation and assist the public in becoming more politically aware.

Discussion ensued on the feasibility of such a request and it was suggested that the views of the Cabinet be sought before any decision was made.

Agreed:-  That the Cabinet consider the suggestion for the establishment of a Member on-line chat room.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Support reported on the current Member Development Budget, which had seen £10,000 so far this year having been spent.

Discussion ensued on the process of conference approval by the specific Directorates and the opportunities available by way of the Member Development Programme.

Every request for either a conference or training was seriously considered and all that could be accommodated within budget was approved.

Agreed:-  That the information be noted and received.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Support reported on the attendance figures on the recently arranged Emergency Planning training and the proposals that were in hand for further training on a flu pandemic.

Discussions were taking place between relevant officers with a presentation being made to either the July or September meeting Members’ Training and Development Panel.

Agreed:-  That the information be noted and received.

Agreed:-  That the next meeting of the Panel take place on Thursday, 23^rd July, 2009 at 2.30 p.m. at the Town Hall, Moorgate Street, Rotherham.