Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 17^th November, 2010 were agreed as a correct record.

With regards to Minute No. 23 (Personalisation Agenda) a further training session had been arranged for Friday, 4^th February, 2011 in the Town Hall at 10.00 a.m.

It was also noted that in respect of Minute No. 25(3) (Member Development Charter), an area on the intranet had been dedicated to Members with access to relevant information, including training and development.  This was now available via the Members and Democratic tab on the intranet and headed up “Members Homepage”.

Consideration was given to a report introduced by Cath Saltis, Head of Scrutiny and Member Support, which set out details on the proposals to re-establish the South Yorkshire Member Development Group, in which Chairs and Vice-Chairs from each Local Authority and Joint Authority Member Development Groups would be invited to attend, along with nominated representatives.

The purpose of this Group was to oversee, monitor and evaluate learning and development activities for Councillors in South Yorkshire, approving an annual programme and in order to achieve this it was proposed that the Group meet three times a year. Rotherham had offered to host the meetings, providing managerial and business support.

The importance of building on the strengths was emphasised and allowed Member Development to be built more collaboratively at a sub-regional level to increase capacity, procure learning packages and realise efficiencies.   Local Authorities could deliver joint training and awareness around generic topics such as corporate parenting, licensing, planning, safeguarding, chairing skills and scrutiny with the Joint Authorities delivering sector-led training at a regional level. 

The Terms of Reference, circulated with the agenda papers, were subject to approval by the respective Member Development Panels and for suggestions to be made accordingly, including the involvement of Parish Councils.  Feedback from the other Authorities would be provided in due course.

The Panel were in favour of the re-establishment of this Development Group and valued this initiative.  It was also noted that as Mrs. C. Cockayne (Parish Council representative) had been democratically chosen to represent Parish Councils on this Panel by the Parish Council Network Group, it was feasible for her to be the nominated representative for Rotherham.

Agreed:-  (1)  That the South Yorkshire Member Development Group be re-established.

(2)  That the terms of reference include the involvement of a Parish Council Representative from each Authority.

(3)  That the South Yorkshire Member Development activities for 2010-2011 suggested in the report be incorporated into the training list

Consideration was given to the Members’ Training and Development Budget introduced by Cath Saltis, Head of Scrutiny and Member Development, and Charlie Longley, Senior Account,.

The Panel were informed that the current budget was £31,495, which was made up from a budget of £30,975, less £10,000 offered as a one off budget saving for 2010/11, plus £10,520 funding from the Regional Efficiency Improvement Partnership carried forward from the previous financial year.

Expenditure spent to date amounted to £11,984 with various commitments and other activities planned for this financial year.

Members were encouraged to contact the Head of Scrutiny and Member Support should they wish to engage in any other development activity.

Agreed:-  That the information be noted.

Winter Programme plus:-

(a)    Member Development Session - Emergency Planning  - 8th February, 2011 – Meadowhall (attached)

(b)    Rewriting the Script - Preparing Overview and Scrutiny for the ‘New Localism’ – Tuesday, 8^th February, 2011 – London (attached)

(c)     Early Intervention for Families At Risk – Monday, 28th February, 2011 – Manchester (attached)

(d)    Ageing Well Leadership Academy Programmes – February/March, 2011 - Warwick/Newcastle upon Tyne (attached)

Consideration was given to the Member Development Programme – Winter 2010/11 and its contents introduced by Cath Saltis, Head of Scrutiny and Member Development.

Particular attention was drawn to:-

·              The new date for the Corporate Parenting Session – 25^th January, 2011 at 10.00 a.m.

·              Personalisation “My Choice – My Future” Session – 4^th February, 2011 at 10.00 a.m.

·              Emergency Planning Awareness Raising – 8^th February, 2011 at 2.00 p.m. – Meadowhall.

·              Standards Committee Training Sessions – Various in February, 2011.

·              Project Argus Training – 11^th March, 2011 at 2.00 p.m.

·              Fraud and Corruption Training – Various in April, 2011.

Also included were various events and conferences put forward for approval.

It was also noted that a new date had been arranged for the assessment of the Member Development Charter for the 8^th February, 2011, which may require interviews with newly elected or existing Members.  Further information was to be provided in due course.

Agreed:-  (1)  That the contents of the Winter Programme 2010/11 be welcomed.

(2)  That Members be urged to indicate which sessions they were to attend on the internal training events contained within the Winter Programme.

(3)  That two places be booked for Councillors P. Russell and Walker on the “Councillor’s Role in Promoting Personalisation and Safeguarding Events” in Manchester on the 1^st March, 2011.

(4)  That no places be booked at this stage on the “Rewriting the Script – Preparing Overview and Scrutiny for the ‘New Localism’” seminar on 8^th February, 2011 in London.

(5)  That two places be booked for Councillors Currie and Lakin on the “Early Intervention for Families At Risk” Conference on the 28^th February, 2011 in Manchester.

(6)  That a place be booked for Councillor Doyle on the “Ageing Well Leadership Programme” to be held February/March, 2011 in either Coventry or Newcastle.

Agreed:-  That the next meeting of the Members’ Training and Development Panel take place on Thursday, 17th February, 2011 at 2.00 p.m.