Agenda item

Member Training and Induction Programme

Minutes:

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:

 

Induction Programme Elements:

Member Responses:

Officer Responses:

3 Day Programme of Events

Training was nicely spaced out over the 3 day period

 

Noted

Smaller Training Groups

It was helpful to be in smaller groups and less intimidating.  Members contributed more because of this

Noted

Variety of Training Topics

Really Good

Noted

Internal/Officer Training Providers

The IT training session was great, and it was helpful to be offered further one to one training if required

 

Noted

External Training Providers

LGA Trainer was excellent and explained everything well

 

Noted

Refreshments

Really Good

 

Noted

Follow Up Sessions

These were well provided but there should be a firmer Council response to Members who continue to fail to complete their training

 

Noted

After Care

1.  It may have been helpful to have had a follow-up day during June to receive feedback and deal with any queries

 

 

Good idea and will look to arrange for next time

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.  It would have been useful for officers to have handed out their contact details after their training sessions

 

There is currently a review taking place with SLT and Leadership regarding the provision of effective Member/officer communications with the development of a communications policy

 

 

3.  Online training should have been ready to roll out straight after the induction programme and promoted more with Members

Apologies extended but advised that there were ongoing technical issues with the online training system which has caused delays

 

4.  It would have been helpful to have received the training slides after the training sessions

The slides were shared with new Members after the induction programme but accept that further training material, building on the face to face session, would have been helpful

 

 

5.  Is there currently a budget for individual Member training?

Yes, there is a small pot and Members can request individual training via pro-forma submitted to the Democratic Services Team.  A copy of the Member Development Strategy will be re-circulated to Members for information

 

 

6.  Would it be possible for Members to periodically receive a copy of their training records for information?

 

Yes, this is something that the Democratic Services Team can look at doing on a periodic basis

Lessons Learnt

 

There is scope for providing hybrid training sessions next time to enable greater accessibility

 

RESOLVED

that the feedback/comments/suggestions received in respect of the Member Induction Programme for 2023, be accepted and considered by the Democratic Services Team accordingly.

 

(During consideration of this item, Councillor Dave Shaw entered the meeting at 7.27pm.)

 

 

 

Supporting documents: