Issue - meetings

To approve the Member’s Induction Programme 2023.

Note: Some agenda items being discussed at Standards Committee on 16 February 2023 may impact on this report and it may require updating to account for that Committee’s decision after the meeting. 

Council considered a report that sought approval of the Member Induction Programme 2023.

It was proposed by Councillor A Mitchell and seconded by Councillor N Gething and resolved that Council:

1. Approve the proposed Member’s Induction Programmes 2023,

2. Authorise the Group Head of Corporate Governance to make changes to the Programme to reflect any necessary amendments; and

3.    Authorise the Monitoring Officer to amend the Members’ Code of Conduct in accordance with Appendix C of the report.

To consider and recommend to Council:

1.    Approval of the proposed Member’s Induction Programme 2023.

2.    Authorisation for the Group Head of Corporate Governance to make changes to the programme to reflect any necessary amendments.

The Committee considered a report from the Committee Manager on the Member Induction Programme for 2023. The Committee Manager explained the process and consultations undertaken for compiling the Induction Programme for new members. The Monitoring Officer requested that the Committee consider approving a further recommendation to authorise changes to the Member’s Code of Conduct to clarify that members could not participate in committee meetings unless they have undertaken relevant training.

The Committee felt the proposed induction programme was comprehensive. The Committee queried provision to ensure members attending training, and were informed that the induction programme would be provided to all candidates standing in the election in April, and in extreme cases, training could be recorded or hybrid options could be provided. Some members of the Committee queried the cost of hiring external trainers when some training could be provided by Council officers. The Committee acknowledged it would be beneficial to utilise external trainers for impartiality.

The Committee resolved to recommend to Council to:

1)    Approve the proposed Member’s Induction Programme for 2023

2)    Authorise the Group Head of Corporate Governance to make changes to the Programme to reflect any necessary amendments

3)    Authorise the Monitoring Officer to amend the Member’s Code of Conduct in accordance with Appendix 1.

Appendix 1 – Amendments to the Members’ Code of Conduct

The following is to be added as 8.1.1:

“I shall not participate in any Committee meeting until I have completed the relevant mandatory training.”

Report to follow.