Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were made.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 15 July 2023,

be received and approved as a correct record, subject to it being recorded that Councillors Warren Nuttall and Sarah Madigan were also in attendance at the meeting.

The Scrutiny Research Officer presented the report, which had been added to the Standards Workplan earlier in the year to enable Members to reflect and provide feedback in respect of the Council’s Member Induction Programme following the District Elections in May 2023. 

A summary of the Induction Programme itinerary was then presented including details of the Induction Day which had enabled the Council to welcome new Members and settle them into their new surroundings.  This has included the following:

·       signing of Declaration of Acceptance of Office with the Chief Executive

·       photos for Website and Security Cards

·       completion of Register of Interest Form

·       collection of new Samsung tablet and basic training

·       sign up for HR and Payroll details

·       introductory conversations with officers.

The 2023 Induction Programme had been developed, taking into account Committee Members suggestions to hold the event over 3 days whilst providing smaller training groups to enable better integration and involvement.  Extra sessions were included in respect of IT training and Member behaviour and standards, which had been delivered externally by the Local Government Association (LGA).   An external provider was also appointed to deliver sessions in respect of chairing meetings and the scrutiny process.

New training topics had been introduced including local government finance, neighbourhoods, housing and community safety.  The programme of events had been demanding but had provided a wide range of training topics to give new Members a comprehensive start to their new roles.

In an effort to ensure Members are kept up to date with training requirements throughout their 4 year term of office, the Democratic Services Team were keeping detailed records of all individual training completions and requirements (including details to Group Leaders of non-attendances).  This would hopefully ensure that all training access/development would remain available and be delivered in a timely manner over the next 4 years.

Members then assessed the success, or otherwise, of the Council’s induction programme and responded as follows:

The Assistant Director for Democracy presented the report and advised Members that two new formal complaints had been received by the Authority since the last meeting of the Committee. Work was continuing on all the current complaints outlined in the report which had now been reduced to five in total following some successful completions.

RESOLVED that

a)    the updated position in respect of Member complaints as at June 2023, as outlined at Appendix A to the report, be received and noted;

b)    it be also noted that no declarations of received gifts and hospitality were received from July to September 2023;

c)    the Assistant Director for Democracy be requested to ensure that a note be place on any future reports, stating that any discussions on Member complaints are only at an operational level and do not involve any details in respect of individual cases.

The Chairman requested the Executive Director for Governance to give Members an update in respect of progress against the 2023/24 Standards Workplan which was duly given.