Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received on behalf of Councillors Moran and O'Toole.

There were no substitutions.

If a Member requires advice on Declarations of Interest, he/she is advised to contact the Borough Solicitor in advance of the meeting.  (For the assistance of Members a checklist for considering their position on any particular item is included at the end of this agenda sheet).

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider the notes of the meeting held on 15 March 2018.

AGREED:      That the notes of the meeting held on 15 March 2018 be noted.

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor.

Members considered the report of the Borough Solicitor as contained on pages 5 to 9 of the Book of Reports which provided an update on Member training undertaken since March 2018.

In discussion comments were raised in relation to:-

·         Training budgets

·         Chairing Skills training, style / provision

·         Overview & Scrutiny training, style / provision

AGREED:      That the update be noted

To receive feedback from the Member Development Group Representatives from their Members.

The Chairman suggested that it would be useful to update and revise the Councillor Identification of Training Needs Questionnaire, in order to better assist the identification and analysis of Members training needs.

In discussion it was expressed that the ‘essential’ Annual Planning and Licensing Training sessions should highlight the legal requirements and implications if Members do not attend these sessions.

The Commission also noted feedback from Standards Committee, that Members requested provision of Chairing Skills Training.  The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer explained to Members that the Corporate 'E-merge' E-Learning system provides a section for Councillors containing a module for Chairing Skills, however, Members felt that an external training provider would be more beneficial to assist their needs and requirements in respect of this.  He also went on to explain that Overview & Scrutiny Training was now due for Members and asked their preference in respect of the type and style of training they wished to undertake.

The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer outlined the current available training budget to Members.  The Commission felt that their preference on this occasion would be provision of an external provider for ‘Chairing Skills’ training and that Overview & Scrutiny training be provided the ‘West Lancs’ way.

AGREED: A.               That comments and feedback from the Commission be noted.

B.               That the ‘Councillor Identification of Training Needs’ form be revised and brought to the next meeting on 14 March 2019 for comments.

C.               That the provision of external ‘Chairing Skills’ training shall be offered to Members, details will be sent to Members in due course.

D.               That the provision of ‘West Lancs Overview and Scrutiny’ Training shall be offered to Members, details will be sent to Members in due course.

To receive an update on future training:-

Development Company - All Member Briefing prior to Executive O&S Committee – 27 September 5.45pm – Council Chamber

Scrutiny Training – October/November TBC

I-Pad Training – Wednesday 7 November 2pm – Cabinet & Committee Room.

Project Griffin – Counter Terrorist Training – Thursday 8 November 6pm – Council Chamber.

LGA Women Councillors' weekend – 8 & 9 December – Warwick Conference Centre, Coventry.

Laptop Training – Tuesday 11 December 10am – Cabinet & Committee Room.

Development Company – Training Prior to A&G 30 October 6pm – Cabinet & Committee Room.

The Member Services/Civic Support Officer outlined the future training dates for Members, including:-

·         Development Company – All Member Briefing prior to Executive O&S Committee – 27 September - 5.45pm

·         Development Company – All Member Briefing prior to A&G Committee 30 October -  6.00pm

·         I-Pad Training – 7 November - 2pm

·         Project Griffin Counter Terrorist Training – 8 November -  6.00pm

·         Scrutiny Training – 27 November – 6.00pm

·         LGA Women Councillors Weekend – 8 & 9 December – Warwick Conference Centre, Coventry

·         Laptop Training – 11 December – 10.00am

·         Chairing Skills -  date TBC

AGREED:      That the above future training arrangements be noted.

To consider the Work Programme for the Commission and note the date of the next meeting.

Members considered the Work Programme for 2019/20, the dates of future meetings of the Commission and noted the Councillor Identification of Training Needs Questionnaire form would be considered at the next meeting.

AGREED: A. That the Work Programme be updated to include on 14 March 2019, a revised Councillor   identification of Training Needs Assessment Form.

B. That the Work Programme for 2019/20 and future meetings of 14 March 2019 and 19 September 2019 be confirmed.