Agenda item

The purpose of the report is to recommend a framework for Member Training for 2022/23 to the P&R Committee.

To determine that the Council do not sign up to the Member Charter but look to work towards achieving its standards.

To agree to add the Equalities on line training module to the other 3 mandatory training modules (Safeguarding Children, Safeguarding Adults and Prevent.)

To consider whether training on specialised areas set out in Paragraphs 5.1 and 5.2 of the report should be considered for all Members.

The purpose of the report is to:

o     Recommend a framework for Member Training for 2022/23 to the P&R Committee.

o     To determine that the Council do not sign up to the Member Charter but look to work towards achieving its standards.

o     To agree to add the Equalities on line training module to the other 3 mandatory training modules (Safeguarding Children, Safeguarding Adults and Prevent)

o     To consider whether training on specialised areas set out in Paragraphs 5.1 and 5.2 of the report should be considered for all Members.

Members raised the following points:

•    Concern that the recent mandatory licensing and regulatory services training had seen some Members not able to attend which reduced the number of Councillors who sit on the Committee and who could be on a sub-committee.  They felt that a better way of organising the mandatory training dates was to set them out in advance in the calendar of meetings.  If not able to attend the training they should not sit on the Committee.

•    It was not always quite as simple as saying if you don’t attend the training you are not able to sit on the Committee as there may be exceptional circumstances which prevent you from attending.

•    It would be good to cover all levels of knowledge and backgrounds in the training as at the recent mandatory training there was a split in knowledge levels.

•    To look to provide the training in house and be organised online and look at virtual training modules. Will need to look at the costs to execute this.

•    3 hours training is too long and having the training during the daytime is very difficult for some Members to attend.

•    Move more of the training to online training modules including the mandatory training and then organise a Member catch up to reflect and make comments on the training.

•    Raised concern that Members were being asked to complete mandatory online equalities training and that this should be non mandatory.

•    Concerned that the number of mandatory training courses for Councillors was increasing all the time and that it was too detailed and felt like they were back at work.  They would be happy to do the online training if it could be tailored to Councillors requirements.

•    A lot of the content provided in the online mandatory training modules was very relevant to the role of a Councillor and referred to the last two national serious case reviews.

•    If the training modules were mandatory for staff they should be for Councillors.

•    Raised concern about accessing ilearn as it was a complex system and asked if the system could be simplified.
 

•    Highlighted constitution, finance and budget setting as being specialised areas of training Members would like to receive.

Officers responded that:

We are always happy to receive feedback on the training particularly immediately after it had been provided.

The online equalities training module was mandatory for officers and could be provided to Members at minimal cost.  The content of the training module would be apparent when the module was being completed.

Noted that the ilearn system was brought in from the County Council but the feedback would be passed onto them.

Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst moved, seconded by Councillor Sarah Nelmes the recommendations as set out in the report and to include that a module on equalities training be added for all Members to the other 3 mandatory training modules.

On being put to the Committee the motion was declared CARRIED by the Chair the voting being 11 For, 2 Against and 0 Abstentions.

RESOLVED:

Agreed to continue with the framework for Member Training for 2022/23 as follows:

That the Chief Executive have delegated authority to:

1.       Authorise attendance at LGA Leadership and other LGA courses in consultation with the relevant Group Leader. 

2.       Authorise attendance at other external training courses which are not free in consultation with the relevant Group Leader where there are exceptional circumstances.

Training on specialised areas put forward were on the constitution, budget setting and finance for all Members.

Agreed to add online Equalities training to the other 3 mandatory online training modules of Prevent, Safeguarding Adults and Safeguarding Children.

To not sign up to the Member Charter at a cost of £3,000.