Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 23^rd July, 2009 were agreed as a correct record.

With regards to Minute No. 12 (Emergency Planning – Flu Pandemic) it was reported that regular updates were being provided to Members.

However, it would appear that the Council’s Business Continuity Plan was still to be provided for Members.

Minute No. 13 (Alternative Technologies) made reference to a letter inviting volunteers which was to be circulated.

Further to Minute No. 14 (CAA for Children’s Services and Adult Learning – Workshops) arrangements were being made for these workshops to take place for Elected Members.

With regards to Minute No. 15 (RIEP Bid) it was reported that ongoing discussions were taking place with counterparts in the other South Yorkshire Local Authorities to take forward Member training on a South Yorkshire basis.  Updates on progress would be provided in due course.

Consideration would also be given to the suggestion of e-learning for Members similar to other Local Authorities.  Information would be provided in due course.

Further to Minute No. 16 of the meeting of this Panel held on 23rd July, 2009, the Director of Internal Audit and Governance presented a report which referred to proposals to provide refresher sessions for Members on Local Government Finance, budget setting and financial management.

Along with all local authorities, the Council’s financial position would come under increasingly intense pressure over the next few years. A combination of increasing demand for services, resulting from demographic changes and a tightening of public spending would mean Councils having to look closely at how robust control was maintained over the budget, how spending was aligned to priorities and how value for money was achieved.

In view of the financial outlook it was important that Members have the information relating to the Council’s finances, to ensure they could participative appropriately and effectively in decisions made about Council spending.

It was anticipated that the refresher sessions would cover the context for Council budgets and the whole process of budget setting, monitoring and management. By providing the sessions internally they would be locally tailored to Rotherham’s circumstances.

The draft programme set out the areas planned to be delivered with proposals for these to take place on the following dates:-

·              13th October (a.m.)

·              19th October (p.m.)

·              28th October (p.m.)

Each session would be for a half day and involve a combination of presentations, delegate discussions and case studies. Members who attend would have the benefit of up-to-date information on public sector finance and understand the budget setting and management processes in place in Rotherham.

As well as Rotherham Council Members, there were other stakeholders who the training would have relevance to and who might, therefore, be interested in attending, for example independent Standards Committee Members and Parish Council Members. It was, therefore, proposed to offer the refresher sessions to partners and stakeholders who might find the training of some help or interest.

Discussion ensued on the timeslots for the refresher sessions and it was suggested that to ensure everyone could attend the slots be aimed at a morning, afternoon and early evening.

It was also suggested that the invitation letter include a reply slip to give some indication of Member preferences of session and that this information be circulated at the Parish Network meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 23^rd September, 2009.

Agreed:-  (1)  That the proposals for offering refresher sessions for Members on Local Government Finance and financial management be supported on a morning, afternoon and early evening basis.

(2)  That Members be encouraged to attend one of the three sessions planned to be provided during October, 2009.

(3)  That the invitation to attend be extended to relevant partners and stakeholders, including Parish Council and Standards Committee Members.

Janet Spurling, Equalities Officer, drew to Members’ attention the forthcoming Members’ Seminar on the Single Equality Scheme scheduled to take place on the 20^th October, 2009 at 9.00 a.m.

The seminar was requested by the Democratic Renewal Scrutiny Panel at its April, 2009 meeting and would provide information on the approach taken to develop the scheme and how the scheme will be evolving in response to future changes in legislation.

Reference was also made to the external Diversity Peer Challenge on the 10th -12th November, 2009 now the Council had declared at “excellent” level of the Equality Framework for Local Government.

Discussion ensued on the need for some further equalities training for Elected Members and it was reported that discussions were ongoing with ICOCO (Institute of Community Cohesion) regarding some collaborative South Yorkshire training.  An update would be provided in due course.

It was also noted that the workbooks previously recommended for circulation by this Training Panel from the I.D.e.A. had not yet been received with a request that this be followed up.

Agreed:-  (1)  That the information regarding the forthcoming seminar be noted.

(2)  That further information be provided on forthcoming equalities training.

(3)  That the workbooks be circulated to Members as soon as possible.

Consideration was given to details of the Local Leadership Conference organised by the I.D.e.A. taking place on 5^th November, 2009 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Nottingham.

Agreed:-  That Councillors Austen and Sharman attend on behalf of this Panel and provide feedback.

Consideration was given to the report submitted by the Head of Scrutiny and Member Support which set out details to develop a media training programme for Members.

The request for media training arose from Members’ personal development plans and following discussion the Head of Scrutiny and Member Services and the Head of Communications have identified a media training company.  Television and Radio Techniques (TRT), a specialist media training company, based in Sheffield with nearly thirty years success have a dedicated team of fully qualified, highly experienced tutors with journalistic backgrounds.

TRT could, therefore, provide a training package on Media Skills Training for up to six Members, specifically chosen given their role and portfolios.

In addition to this a workshop could then be provided for those Members on media awareness, which would then be delivered internally by the Communications and Marketing Team.  This would then ensure Members were trained and equipped to deal with media interaction appropriately.

It was also reported that specific training packages were to be developed for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to assist in their civic roles.

It was suggested that a refresher package also be put together for all Members on the Code of Conduct.

Agreed:-  (1)  That arrangements be made for specific media skills training for the Lead Members identified.

(2)  That a workshop be arranged for all other Members in relation to media awareness training delivered by the Communications and Marketing Team.

(3)  That a refresher package be developed for all Members on the Code of Conduct.

Agreed:-  That the next meeting of the Members’ Training and Development Panel take place on Thursday, 22^nd October, 2009 at 2.00 p.m.