Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 October 2015 are correctly recorded and that they be signed by the Chairman.

(1)       The Democratic Services Manager introduced the report on the initiatives being undertaken by the Member Development Steering Group.

(2)       During discussion of this item, the Committee agreed a number of recommendations for the Steering Group to consider.  These are set out in (3) below.

(3)       RESOLVED that the ongoing work programme of the Member Development Steering Group be noted and that it be requested to consider the following recommendations:-

(a)         the core topics for accreditation purposes should include Safeguarding, Standards, Scrutiny, Consultation, the Equality Act, Commissioning, Contract Performance and Contract Design;

(b)          Members who aspire to be Committee Chairmen and Deputy Cabinet Members (intermediary module) or to carry out a Leadership role (advanced module) should be expected to participate in the accreditation training provided;

(c)          the intention to record training sessions is welcomed; and

(d)          the Steering Group should consider the best means to facilitate opportunities for Members to discuss non-political ideas and concerns to enable all the support to all Members in their various roles to be enhanced sand improved.

(1)       The Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services proposed a minor amendment to the Dependents’ Carers’ Allowance paragraph in the Members’ Allowance Scheme to enable elected Members with childcare responsibilities to participate in the Childcare Voucher Scheme offered by the County Council to its employees.  The re-wording had been agreed by the Member Remuneration Panel.

(2)       RESOLVED that the proposed rewording of the Dependents’ Carers’ Allowance paragraph in the Members’ Allowance Scheme be recommended to the County Council for approval.