To consider a summary of learning and development events that have been delivered as part of the Member Development Programme together with an overview of events planned for the remainder of the Programme.

The Committee considered a report which provided a summary of the learning and development events delivered as part of the Member Development Programme.  In addition an overview of events planned for the remainder of the Programme was provided.

The Head of Governance first thanked those officers who had organised the events given the difficulties which often arose in their preparation and scheduling.  He then introduced the report during which he emphasised how the Programme’s sessions had been designed to inform Members about the key themes they would encounter over the four years of the current Council.  He also reminded Members that, in addition, other learning opportunities had been offered, including workshops and briefings delivered by officers.  Many of the briefings arose from requests by Members for more information on particular subjects.

The Head of Governance stressed the importance of obtaining feedback from Members as a means of contributing towards continuous improvement of the Programme.  The meeting noted that, too date, the feedback had been largely positive.  The Head of Governance also referred to the proposed monitoring actions set out within the report.  Their role was to provide a mechanism through which to establish whether or not the sessions had delivered the intended outcomes.

Turning to the proposed events planned for the four month period until the end of September 2016 the Chairman suggested a course on communications skills to assist members when being filmed.  She felt that the inclusion of rehearsals would add to the value of the training.  A Member suggested that councillors be provided with training on the wide range of issues faced by the Council and how they were dealt with.

The Head of Governance advised that a second Member survey would be held to inform the Programme and highlight Members’ interests.  He undertook to include the issues raised by Members at the meeting.

A Member referred to difficulties arising from the timing of some of the sessions; the school holidays being particularly problematic.  She also requested that the notes of the events be placed on the intranet so that Members who missed sessions could catch up.  In response the Head of Governance stated that the notes of the formal sessions were already available but those for informal sessions were not.  He acknowledged that the latter would also be helpful for Members and undertook to examine their inclusion on the intranet.

Another Member commented that she felt that insufficient notification was given of the sessions.  She also commented that some officers were good presenters but others lacked the necessary skills.

Finally a Member referred to the need for training on issues which arose quite suddenly and in areas which lay outside the Council’s responsibilities but which could, nonetheless, have a ‘knock on’ impact on the Council.

NOTED

the events and participation in the Member Development Programme from May 2015 to April 2016.

RESOLVED

1          that the proposed Member Development Programme events scheduled for the period to the end of September 2016 be approved;

2          that the following actions to monitor whether the sessions have delivered the intended outcomes be approved:

a)    Surveying the Chairmen of committees to identify whether they feel the Committee is operating effectively and whether the learning and development sessions have contributed to this.

b)   Monitoring the feedback received after the sessions and subsequent engagement from Members requesting further learning/information.

c)    Sending a follow-up survey, between 4-6 month after the session, asking for Members’ views on whether the learning has been put into practice and the impact it has had on their work.

d)   Continuing with the annual survey (initially sent in September 2015) asking Members for their views and suggestions about future learning sessions as part of a continuous improvement policy to ensure the Member Development Programme of events is relevant.