The Council’s Member Training and Development Strategy had been in place since 2007 as part of the Council’s commitment to Member Training and Development.  The Strategy set out how the Council developed its elected Members in order to assist both the Council in achieving its aims and priorities in accordance with the Corporate Plan and to assist Members to manage with the increasing demands placed upon them. 

The Strategy was reviewed and re-adopted every four years in the year preceding the District Council elections to ensure that the Strategy remained fit for purpose and had taken account of any new or emerging issues.  The Member Development Task Group had considered the revised Strategy at its last meeting held on 21 February 2022 and commended its re-adoption to Council. 

It was noted that the Strategy had been updated to reflect the following: 

·         that all Members during their four-year term and staff receive an appropriate level of carbon literacy awareness training to help achieve the Council’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030;

·         periodic meetings be held with Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs to discuss the training needs of their committees to enable the effective discharge of the committee’s functions; and

·         training and development opportunities be shared with parish and town councils, at no additional cost to the Council, wherever appropriate.

Members acknowledged the comprehensive training and development offer at the Council which equipped all Members with the skills and knowledge to undertake their roles.  The Member Training and Development Champion extended thanks to Councillors and the officer team, in particular Democratic Services for managing the process.     

RECOMMENDED: That the revised Member Training and Development Strategy be approved and adopted.