Agenda and draft minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 21^st January, 2010 were agreed as a correct record.

Further to Minute No. 33 of the meeting of this Panel held on 17^th December, 2009, a report on media training feedback would be made available at the next meeting.

Further to Minute No. 39 of the meeting of this Panel held on 21st January, 2010, consideration was given to the report presented by Sioned-Mair Richards, Scrutiny Adviser, which asked to note the progress of a DVD which will be designed to promote greater understanding of the democratic process in Rotherham.

The idea of producing a DVD to be used as a borough wide resource to inform citizens of the work of elected members originated from the Rotherham South Area Assembly and was then agreed by the Members’ Training and Development Panel.  A small sub-group of the Panel lead the project.

Timescales outlined in the original report changed in order to avoid the pre-election/election period and as a result the DVD would now be completed and made public in late May, 2010 subject to endorsement by Members’ Training and Development Panel and approval by Cabinet.

It was envisaged the DVD would run for approximately 20 - 25 minutes starting with Mags Evers, Chief Elections and Registration Officer, followed by Councillors Gosling and Fenoughty discussing the changing role of the locally elected Member.

There would then be three short films about local councillors. Councillors Fenoughty, Falvey and Hussain have been identified as the three Members to provide this, but a host of elected members, officers and residents would also feature in the DVD as part of the various meetings and activities that the three main members would attend.

The DVD would be a valuable resource, alongside existing materials such as the leaflet “So you want to be a Councillor,” in supporting the Council’s duty to promote democracy.

Discussion ensued on the script and content of the DVD and whilst it was noted that this was not about individuals, but about the role of a Councillor, it was suggested that this Panel’s Members have sight of the proposed script and detail with some discussion about what could be covered.

Agreed:-  (1)  That the contents of the report and the progress made by noted.

(2)  That the key content of each Day in the Life of nominated Elected Members be noted and the proposed “script” be shared with Members of the Training and Development Panel.

(3)  That the proposed project timescales be agreed.

(4)  That this report be referred to Cabinet for approval.

Consideration was given to a report circulated by Sioned-Mair Richards, Scrutiny Adviser, which proposed training around the issues of safeguarding and corporate parenting of looked after children in order to support the improvements for its Children and Young People’s Services.

To assist Members in developing their knowledge further of Children and Young People’s Services, in particular with regard to their safeguarding and corporate parenting responsibilities, training was suggested with the aid of:-

(a)          A toolkit “Putting Corporate Parenting into Practice”, identifying three levels of responsibility, with a session being arranged around Universal Responsibility – Level 1, allowing for Councillors with specific roles and responsibilities having additional development events specific to their needs.

(b)     IDeA training programme in conjunction with the NSPCC delivery jointly and tailored to suit local need.  The first session would be for Members and co-optees of the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Panel and seven Locality Champions.  This would be open to any Member to attend, but would be rolled out to all Members, co-optees and parish councillors in due course.

Reference was made to the Scrutiny Review “Corporate Parenting”, which was to be submitted to the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee and Cabinet shortly.

Discussion ensued on the criteria and requirements for CRB checks and the need for exact details to be clarified.  It was, therefore, suggested that the Council’s Assistant Chief Executive for Legal and Democratic Services be contacted, guidance sought and the requirements made clear.

Agreed:-  (1)  That a training and development programme for all Members be set up around the issues of corporate parenting and safeguarding in order to support the Council’s work towards improving Children and Young People’s Services.

(2)  That the requirements for CRB checks for Councillors be investigated and a report be submitted to this Panel.

Consideration was given to the draft Members’ Induction Programme circulated by Sioned-Mair Richards, Scrutiny Adviser, which would commence from Monday, 10^th May, 2010.

Reference was made to the need to include a session with the new Mayor who would introduce a guide to the way the special Council meeting worked, what the rules were, etiquette and how to understand Standing Orders.  It was anticipated that this would take place on a day or two before the Annual Council Meeting.

Some suggestions were already included in the programme, but a session on Local Authority Finance would form part of the Autumn programme, with consideration to some sessions during August.

Agreed:-  That the information be noted and the draft programme be approved.

Sioned-Mair Richards, Scrutiny Adviser, reported that the recent Community Cohesion Workshops had been well received by those who attended.

One further session was to be arranged during June, 2010 to facilitate attendance of newly elected Members and those Members who were unable to attend previously.

Agreed:-  That the next meeting scheduled to take place on Thursday, 22^nd April, 2010 be cancelled and Members informed accordingly.