Agenda item

To receive an update on the proposed plans for the Member Learning & Development Programme 2027-2031.

The Mayor & Member Support Officer presented the report outlining the proposed direction for the next phase of the Member Development Strategy, which would build on the successes of the current 2023–2027 programme. It was noted that the Governance Committee now held formal oversight of Member training and development, and that Member input would be essential in shaping a programme that remained both effective and responsive to Members’ evolving needs.

The report proposed retaining the current structure of the development programme while introducing a number of enhancements. One of the key changes involved the expansion of the two-day registration events held for newly elected Members. It was proposed that these sessions would now include mandatory Code of Conduct training to ensure compliance with legal requirements. Members heard that these sessions were also to incorporate key administrative tasks such as the signing of declarations of office, completion of DBS checks, collection of ICT equipment, and corporate photography.

The Mayor & Member Support Officer informed the Committee that there were proposals to streamline the induction process to provide a more targeted approach. This would be particularly key for Members appointed to decision-making committees such as Licensing, Audit, and Planning. These Members would receive mandatory training at an earlier stage to ensure they were fully prepared to undertake their responsibilities.

Following the positive feedback from the 2023 Directorates’ Fayre, Members were advised that this event was to be repeated for newly elected Members following the 2027 elections. The Fayre provided an opportunity for Members to meet with Directors and Officers from across the Council’s service areas, helping them to gain a broader understanding of the organisation’s operations and strategic priorities.

In response to Member feedback regarding accessibility, the report also outlined plans to improve digital access to training. Officers were working to upload recorded training sessions to the Councillor Connect portal and to develop interactive e-learning modules via the Ollie, the Council’s e-learning platform. These improvements were being prioritised for an early rollout, so Members could begin to benefit from them ahead of the formal launch of the 2027–2031 programme.

To support the development and refinement of the new strategy, the report recommended the establishment of a working group made up of Members from the Governance Committee. The group would meet virtually to review the current programme, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and bring forward recommendations for future delivery. Whilst officers could undertake this review independently, it was emphasised that Member involvement would help ensure the strategy remained relevant, representative, and aligned with Members’ development needs.

Members expressed their appreciation to officers for their work on the learning & development programme and shared positive feedback. The importance of the Directorate Fayre was highlighted, particularly as a valuable opportunity for Members to network with officers from across the Council. The Committee requested that a document containing the contact details for each directorate and service area operated by the Council be included in induction materials so that it could be kept for future reference.

There was strong support for the introduction of online training sessions. Members suggested incorporating a short quiz at the end of each session to help reinforce learning and ensure understanding of the training materials. Additionally, a request was made to ensure that session timings are inclusive, with a preference for evening sessions to accommodate members who work full-time.

RESOLVED – that:

a)    the proposals outlined in the report be noted and;

b)   the creation of a working group to review the Member Learning & Development Programme and make recommendations based upon their be agreed.