Issue - meetings

Report of the Chair of the Member Development Panel

The Chair of the Member Development Panel (MDP) introduced the report, explaining that she is a keen advocate of development and training, and recognising the need for an innovative approach. New Members join the council every two years and policies to which the council must adhere evolve over time, meaning Members, including existing ones, require being kept up to date via training. The effectiveness of councillors is important to residents and officers, and she emphasised that participation in training develops working relationships with officers. Members were reminded that Democratic Services maintain the Member Hub with access to training videos and other information. Acknowledging that some Members may have other responsibilities, the Panel is constantly looking for feedback on how training can be delivered to ensure it is accessible to all.

She reminded Members that training records are now publicly available under each Members’ profile and, looking forward, informed Members that the Member Development Strategy can be used and developed and will encourage others to consider becoming a Councillor. Finally, she explained that the council was looking to obtain South West Councils Member Development Charter status and the Panel would be working hard to achieve this in the new year. 

The Leader thanked the Chair of the Member Development Panel for her significant contribution to this work.

RESOLVED (unanimously) THAT

The Member Development Strategy be approved and adopted.