Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 20^th January, 2011 were agreed as a correct record.

Further to Minute No. 17 of the meeting of the Members’ Training and Development Panel held on 18th December, 2008, Richard Copley, ICT Strategy and Client Co-ordinator, gave an update on Modern.Gov agenda management system since its upgrade and the functionality available through the system, particularly in terms of the information that could be offered to the Citizen via the website.  

A demonstration on how the information displayed on Councillors’ pages was provided, including insight into the added facility of e-petitions.  It was also noted that the biographies of Councillors should be updated on a regular basis via Democratic Services.

A discussion ensued on the scheme for handling petitions and what the current process was.

Cath Saltis, Head of Scrutiny and Member Support, reported on the recent review of the Council’s website, which was undertaken by the Democratic Renewal Scrutiny Panel.  It was noted that difficulties were encountered by some Members in their connection to the network with only some having wifi functionality.  This was to be addressed for all Members.

Richard Copley, ICT Strategy and Client Co-ordinator, also referred to a recent email from Councillor Austen regarding the use of social media.  It was noted that social media was available to all Members with only a few choosing to use the facility.  The Panel were shown social media in operation on the Rotherham website.

Reference was made to the personal use of Council owned equipment and whether the social media use to post comments was acceptable.

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

(2)  That Councillors be made aware of the social media facility and this be included as part of Members’ induction.

Cath Saltis, Head of Scrutiny and Member Support, gave an update on the current position with regards to the Member Development Assessment Charter and confirmed its success.

Members were thanked for their input into the assessment and the Assessment Panel recorded their positive impression of the activities taking place in Rotherham.  The final report with any recommendations would be received in due course.

Agreed:-  That this Panel’s thanks and appreciate into the input for the assessment be forwarded to those involved.

"One Council" Co-ordinated Approach to Rotherham’s Response to the Bill led by Steve Eling and supported by other officers.

Dates are:-

  8th March, 2011 -  5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. – John Smith Room

14th March, 2011 – 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. – John Smith Room

18th March, 2011 – 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 Noon – John Smith Room

Further to Minute No. 25 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Community Development, Equalities and Young People’s Issues held on 17th January, 2011, consideration was given to the proposed workshops around the "One Council" Co-ordinated Approach to Rotherham’s Response to the Localism Bill led by Steve Eling and supported by other officers.

The dates for the workshops were:-

·              8th March, 2011 -  5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. – John Smith Room

·              14th March, 2011 – 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. – John Smith Room

·              18th March, 2011 – 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 Noon – John Smith Room

Agreed:-  That the dates above be circulated to all Members and Parish Councils for information.

Agreed:-  That the next meeting of the Members’ Training and Development Panel take place on Thursday, 24th March, 2011 at 2.00 p.m.