The Interim Democratic Services Manager presented a report, which advised the Committee on the delivery of the Council’s Member Training and Development Programme and related activities.  The Committee was also requested to identify topics for inclusion on the Member Development Programme.

The Interim Democratic Services Manager advised that increasing attention has been given to Elected Member Development. The Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 directed that local authorities placed more emphasis on Member Development. Members were encouraged to identify their own development needs and participate fully in learning and development activities, he added.

The Interim Democratic Services Manager highlighted the Member Training and Development Sessions that had  been  convened since the meeting of the Democratic Services Committee held on 25 March 2021 which were listed at 4.1.1 of the report. He also  gave details of the Member briefing sessions as well the Development Control Committee training sessions held since this date. These were outlined at 4.2 and 4.3 of the report, respectively.

The Interim Democratic Services Manager provided a schedule of the proposed subjects to be considered for Members by way of Member Briefing sessions and Member training and Development sessions which were highlighted at sections 4 through to 6 of the report.

The Interim Democratic Services Manager advised that the Council had devised a range of e-learning courses for Members to support their learning and development needs. The provision of e-learning courses gives Members the opportunity to undertake their learning and development remotely at a convenient time at their own pace. The following E Learning courses  were available:

• Corporate Induction
• UK GDPR
• Display Screen Equipment
• Fire Safety Awareness
• ICT Code of Conduct
• Safeguarding Children and Adults
• Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence

A Member asked if a training session could be provided on the 2030 Carbon Neutral Strategy as he believed not all Members may be as well informed as others on this important topic. The Interim Democratic Services Manager explained that this was a topic that had been confirmed and would be scheduled in the immediate future . He explained that this was not going to be arranged by Democratic Services but rather through the Communities Directorate and an external provider.

A Member asked what could be done to promote Members attending the training sessions that are held. He stated that many of the sessions have the same Members attending each one.

The Interim Democratic Services Manager stressed that through political group meetings were the most beneficial way to promote the training sessions as this would come directly from group leaders to their Members, He added that he would also contact the independent Members to stress the importance of the sessions. He further added that the sessions were not mandatory and so  Members could only be encouraged to take part in the training and reminded of the benefits of them.

The Interim Democratic Services Manager added that placing the sessions before a Committee meeting may boost attendance. However, many Members had criticised this approach as the screen time was increased considerably for that particular day and they felt that this was difficult then  due to issues such as excessive eye strain and the continued ability to concentrate on the meeting sessions.

RESOLVED:                   That Members Noted the content of the report.