Issue - meetings

The Service Manager – Corporate Services presented the Evaluation of the 2023 Councillors’ Induction Programme and posed a number of questions for the Group to consider in relation to future training and the development of the next Induction Programme in 2026.

The Group were advised that overall the feedback received from Councillors in respect of the three induction sessions delivered after the elections in May 2023 was positive.

The Service Manager – Corporate Services asked the Group to consider the following:

·       Was the 2023 Councillor Induction Programme Successful?

·       Was the format and number of sessions appropriate?

·       Did the content of the Handbook and sessions meet the needs of new (and returning) Councillors?

·       Were the presentations clear, knowledgeable and welcoming?

·       Does the Group have any ideas or suggestions to improve the Councillors Induction Programme?

·       What does the Group wish to record that would assist in the development of the 2026 Councillors Induction Programme?

The Group thanked officers for the Induction Programme and praised the work that had been done in advance of, and during the Induction Sessions, adding that the timing of the programme was better than in previous years. The Handbook was particularly well received by both new and returning councillors.

The Group felt that improvements would be welcomed in respect of IT support during the first session. Comments expressing that not enough IT officers were on hand to set up new Councillors with their IT and emails and there were some security issues with apple devices.

The Group raised some concerns in respect of the planning session and in particular information for new ward Councillors where live planning applications that required commenting on or were being decided on at the next planning committee or were prompting questions from residents. It was suggested that a briefing note be prepared for new Councillors and sent to them on the day they are elected to bring them up to speed with any planning applications in their ward. A planning clinic was also suggested to enable new Councillors to meet with planning officers and experienced planning committee members. It was noted that the mandatory planning training was delivered before the first planning committee.

The Group suggested a more formal Council-led mentoring scheme for newly elected Councillors. This would not need to be political and could include mentoring training for returning ward Councillors so they may offer support to new Councillors from their wealth of experience.

The Group also suggested that sessions be videoed so that councillors can refer back to them and would help those not able to make sessions, these could be uploaded to the Council’s YouTube channels with access restricted to officers and Councillors.

It was RESOLVED that Member Development Group:

a)    Discussed the information provided by officers in relation to the evaluation of the 2023 Councillor Induction Programme

b)    Suggested actions and ideas in relation to future training for Councillors or the development of the next Councillor Induction Programme in 2026