The Democratic Services Manager presented a report

a)     Provided the Committee with an update on the delivery of the Council’s Member Training and Development Programme and related activities;

b)      Requested the Committee to identify any further topics for inclusion in the Member Development Programme.

She explained that Appendix A detailed the training and development sessions that have taken place as part of the Member Development Programme since last reported to the Democratic Services Committee on 20 October 2022. Appendix B provided the attendance record to the sessions.

She drew attention to Appendix C which highlighted the future training scheduled over the coming months and asked the Committee if there were any further training requirements.

The Chairperson stated that as Members can attend training remotely, was there a way of ensuring that they were actually in attendance and fully engaged. The public perception could be that if Members have their cameras off, they may not be present.

The Chairperson commented on the future training and believed it to be exciting and informative. He added that consideration for a topic on welfare and benefits may prove very useful for Members in order to be able to signpost their constituents in the right direction.

A Member stated that the directorate surgeries he had attended were particularly useful and informative, however the social services surgery was not well attended and believed that more promotion of these to Members was necessary.

A Member added that if Development Control Committee and Governance & Audit Committee training sessions could be provided to all Members, it would broaden their knowledge even further.

RESOLVED: That the Committee

a)     Noted the report and its appendices; and

b)     Identified any additional Member development topics or briefings for inclusion in the Member Development Programme and prioritise them accordingly.