Agenda and draft minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 24th June, 2010 were agreed as a correct record.

With regard to the role of champions, a report would be submitted to a future meeting.

With regard to Minute No. 2 (Personalisation Agenda), it was agreed to receive a presentation from Tom Sweetman at a future meeting.

With regard to Minute No. 3 (Member Development Budget), a report would be submitted to the November meeting.

With regard to Minute No. 4 (Member Development Programme), it was noted that ‘Total Place had been replaced by ‘Place Based Budgeting’ and how to support members would be considered after the comprehensive spending review in October, 2010.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Head of Scrutiny updating on progress towards satisfying the requirements for reassessment necessary to achieve the Charter. The self, pre and final assessment process was outlined.

The process of assessment was about determining whether or not the Council was continuing to adopt good practice in terms of building elected member capacity.

The Council would be expected to provide a portfolio of evidence, having carried out a self assessment against the Good Practice Guidelines. Pre-assessment was scheduled for 2nd November, 2010 should approval be given to proceed.

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

(2) That achievement of the Charter be sought and a further report be submitted accordingly.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Head of Scrutiny on proposals to re-establish the sub-regional member network with a view to shared learning and development and joint bids for funding to support member development. Local Government Yorkshire and Humberside (LGYH) had allocated funding for South Yorkshire to support member development. The South Yorkshire Joint Secretariat wished to be part of any South Yorkshire member development activity where appropriate.

Agreed:- That contact be made with the local authorities in South Yorkshire with a view to re-establishing the sub-regional member development network.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Head of Scrutiny summarising proposals to provide training to all elected members on how to be an effective corporate parent, the rationale for doing so, an outline course plan and proposed dates.

Agreed:- That training, as now submitted, be provided on the following dates:-

19th October, 2010              5 – 7 pm

2nd November, 2010            10 – 12 am

16th November, 2010          2 – 4 pm

Consideration was given to a report presented by Joanne Wherle indicating that the Dearne Valley Eco-Vision project team, in conjunction  with Transform South Yorkshire’s Delivering Design Quality (DDQ) team, was organising a best practice study visit to Freiburg in Germany in November, 2010.

It was hoped to take a varied group of people including business representatives, local community representatives and public sector representatives to look at a range of elements involved in sustainable urban development including planning, building design, transport, water management, citizen involvement, green infrastructure etc.

Agreed:- That one elected member, from the Dearne Valley Area, be identified to participate in the study visit.

Further to Minute No. 47 of the meeting of Cabinet held on 6th July, 2005, consideration was given to the latest known position regarding the existence/validity or otherwise of CRB checks for current Council Members. Possible transferability of certificates obtained by other organisations was discussed.

Agreed:- That a report be submitted to the next meeting.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Head of Scrutiny indicating that, as part of the Council’s cost cutting exercise, a decision had been made to provide, from October, only e-payslips to employees who could access the intranet. It had also been agreed that members be included in the exercise.

To familiarise members with the ‘Yourself’ system, and assist members with access problems, an offer had been made to provide officer assistance.

Agreed:- That an e-mail be sent to all Members of the Council with clear and simple instructions regarding how to access e-payslips. Training then to be available for any members still having problems.

Agreed:- That the next meeting be held on Thursday, 21st October, 2010 at 2.00 p.m.