Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 29^th September, 2011 were agreed as a correct record.

Consideration was given to the above Strategy which had been reviewed and updated to reflect the current priorities and direction of the Council in light of changing Government agendas.

The core programme had been updated to reflect the various roles of Members and the challenges presented in terms of Member skills and knowledge.  In particular the Council Vision and priority outcomes had been updated together with the business values.

The Strategy provided for 6 monthly reviews of training programmes by the Panel.  It was proposed that the Panel reviewed attendance and feedback from events in February and July.  Whilst it provided for Members to complete their Personal Development Plans, it currently did not include a target and timeframe in which they should be completed.  Other Councils also set targets for a minimum level of annual development hours for each Elected Member.

Agreed:-  (1)  That the revised Member Development Strategy be agreed.

(2)  That a target of 80% completed Personal Development Plans on an annual basis be supported.

(3)  That a commitment be made that there be compulsory elements of training e.g. Safeguarding, Corporate Parenting, Emergency Planning.

Consideration was given to a report regarding the Members Online Resource Environment (MORE) which had gone live in November.  A development group, supported by RIEP funding and the LGYH, had been working on the development of an online resource area for Elected Members.

The purpose of the site was to provide Members with a single point of reference for a range of development resources including upcoming events, conferences and seminars, topical updates and briefings, resources from recent programmes and events, e-learning and specially commissioned resources around crucial topics.

At a later date the site would be developed to provide automated updates on new resources and a password protected area for Members to exchange ideas and share information.

The development group had requested member representation on a reference group which would look at development of the site and agree content.

It was noted that Councillor Hussain had expressed an interest in becoming the Champion for this project.

Agreed:-  (1)  That the availability of the MORE website (www.more.lgyh.gov.uk) be noted.

(2)  That the sharing of appropriate locally developed resources via the site be agreed.

(3)  That Member involvement in the development of and publicity relating to the site be agreed.

(4)  That information be circulated to Panel Members on the work of the development group.

Consideration was given to training events that had taken/were to take place during the Autumn, 2011.  Planning had started on the Spring Programme.

It was noted that information had been received from the Region on a Local Government Finance Policy Update conference for Elected Members with responsibility for Finance in Yorkshire and the Humber.

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

(2)  That the Spring Programme be submitted to the next Panel meeting.

(3)  That the conference be referred to the Deputy Leader, Chair of the Audit Committee and the Self-Regulation Select Committee.

Caroline Webb, Scrutiny and Member Support Services, reported that this was an outstanding issue from the Member Development Charter.

It had been hoped to submit the report to the meeting, however, the Plain Language Guidance and the report template was currently being reviewed.

Agreed:-  That Tracy Holmes, Communications and Marketing, attend the next meeting of this Panel and report on this issue.

Consideration was given to 2 weekend residential courses being held at Northern College, Barnsley, on Leadership and Management Qualifications for Councillors. 

The Level 3 Award in Leadership and Management was to be held on 20^th-22^nd January and 3^rd-5^th February, 2012 and the Level 4 Award in Leadership on 24^th-26^th February and 9^th-11^th March, 2012.

Agreed:-   (1) That the information be circulated to all Members to seek expressions of interest

(2) That the recently Elected Members be offered the opportunity of attending the above courses.

Agreed:-  (1)  That future meetings be held bi-monthly.

(2)  That the next meeting of the Members’ Training and Development Panel take place on  Thursday, 16th February, 2012 at 2.00 p.m.