Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received on behalf of Councillor Gagen.

There were no changes to Membership of the Commission.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2020.

AGREED:      That the notes of the previous meeting held on 4 February 2020 be agreed as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation & Resources.

Members considered the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation and Resources as contained on pages 271 to 274 of the Book of Reports which provided an update on Member training and Briefings undertaken since September 2019.

In discussion comments were raised in relation to LGA 'free' events and their relevance to the Members' Role. A comment was also raised in relation to the Wates new repairs contractor event held on 4 & 5 March 2020, which was well received and went well.

AGREED:       That the update be noted.

To consider a Draft Questionnaire to obtain the views of Members in relation to Scrutiny generally and also in relation to the following:

1.    Committee Arrangements – Possible merging of the two Scrutiny Committee's.

2.    Resources.

Members were asked for their views in relation to a Draft Questionnaire as contained on pages 275 to 280 of the Book of Reports, which was in relation to Scrutiny generally and also in relation to the following:

1.    Committee Arrangements – Possible merging of the two Scrutiny Committee's.

2.    Resources.

Members provided suggested changes to the Draft Questionnaire, prior to circulation to all Members.

AGREED: A. That the Draft Questionnaire be agreed subject to suggested amendments.

B. That the revised Draft Questionnaire be circulated to all Members during April 2020.

B.        That the Member Services/Civic Officer raise at a future meeting of the Member Development Commission, that consideration be given to offer relevant training to new Members 'exclusively' and to also provide a 'Tour of the Council Premises' upon appointment to Office.

Members were asked to consider the minute of Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 30 January 2020:

B.        "That the Member Services/Civic Officer raise at a future meeting of the Member Development Commission, that consideration be given to offer relevant training to new Members 'exclusively' and to also provide a 'Tour of the Council Premises' upon appointment to Office".

In discussion, comments were raised in respect of training 'exclusively' for new Members, particularly in relation to Planning and Licensing training where Members are also new to a Committee.

AGREED:      That the Minute of Executive Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 30 January 2020 be noted.

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

In discussion the following comments were raised:

·         That the recent Scrutiny Training events held by David McGrath from Link Services UK had received positive feedback from Members.

·         That Members shared views / thoughts with their Group, in respect of the above Training / Workshop Sessions.

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

To note the following training dates:-

·         24 March 2020 – 5.30pm – Council Plan, Vision, Value and Priorities - Scrutiny Workshop (Open to All Members)

·         13 May 2020 – New Member Induction – 6.00pm

·         26 May 2020 – 'Key Features of the Accounts' 6.00pm Prior to Audit & Governance Committee (Open to All Members)

·         28 July 2020 – 'Social Value in the Procurement Process' 6.00pm Prior to Audit & Governance Committee (Open to All Members)

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

·         24 March 2020 – 5.30pm – Council Plan, Vision, Value and Priorities - Scrutiny Workshop (Open to All Members)

·         19 May 2020 – New Member Induction – 4.00pm - 6.30pm

·         26 May 2020 – 'Key Features of the Accounts' 6.00pm Prior to Audit & Governance Committee (Open to All Members)

·         28 July 2020 – 'Social Value in the Procurement Process' 6.00pm Prior to Audit & Governance Committee (Open to All Members)

It was noted, that the New Member Induction date had changed to Tuesday 19 May 2020 - 4.00pm – 6.30pm as listed above.

The Commission were also informed that dates would be circulated in due course in respect of Planning and Licensing Committee training.

AGREED:      That the above future training arrangements be noted.

To consider the Work Programme of the Commission and to note the future meeting dates.

Members considered the Work Programme for 2020/21 and the dates of future meetings of the Commission.

AGREED:      That the Work Programme for 2020/21 and future meeting dates of the Commission be confirmed:-

Thursday 9 July 2020– 6.00pm

Wednesday 30 September 2020 – 6.00pm

Thursday 4 March 2021 – 6.00pm