Provision of Support Learning and Development for Elected Members
Post Scrutiny - Executive Response
In Respect of: Scrutiny Review of the Provision of Support Learning and Development for Elected Members in Tameside
Date: July 2008
Cabinet Deputy:
Councillor Margaret Oldham (Co-ordination Services)
Councillor Joe Kitchen (First Deputy)
| Recommendations | Accepted / Rejected | Executive Response | Officer Responsible | Action By (Date) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Provision Of Support |
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| 1. That the level of administrative/secretarial support currently provided by Member Services should continue and that the service explores new ways to publicise the extent of the support available to elected members, especially newly elected members. | Reject |
Whilst it is accepted that staffing resources for direct Member support should not be reduced it is not accepted that support for Member should necessary continue at current levels. The levels of administrative/secretarial support should reflect the needs of Members. The nature of support required for all Members has changed over recent years which the changes brought about by the Local Government Act 2000 and the changing environment in which Members operate, such as residents changing expectations and rapidly changing ICT facilities. This is evidenced by the fact that Members determined in January 2006 not to replace Penny Davy when she retired and deliver the Service in a different way and the fact that when the Member Services Officer (Angela Monks) left – this role was replaced by a more senior officer to lead on changes and improvements to the service. Recent changes in Member Services have moved some way towards reflecting the changing demands. The recent Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act and the new Local Government White Paper: “Communities in control: real people, real power” will once again change public expectations and the support required for Councillors. It is accepted that current service provision be publicised other than currently through induction. However, rather than simply publicising what is currently available the support provided to Members should reflect the recent and impending changes whilst building on existing practices. Publicity around existing provision can be undertaken alongside work on ensuring Member Services is providing the services members need to undertake their roles. |
Head of Democratic Services | Publicity by January 2009 of agreed proposals following consultation |
| 2. That greater publicity be given to the accommodation available to elected members both in the council offices and in the community, and any proposed future changes should take into account the future needs of elected members | Accept | 1. Work has already begun on identifying options for improving the accommodation available to Members particularly on level B. All Members will be consulted on options prior to further consideration. Members have been advised that this is the intention by Cllr Kitchen. | Head of Democratic Services/ Head of Facilities Management | Publicity by January 2009 of agreed proposals following consultation |
| 2. The AED (DAs) will need to review existing provision for members within Townships to ensuring there is consistency of access and provision | AED (District Assemblies)/ Head of Facilities Management | |||
| 3. That a designated officer or elected member be identified to discuss in confidence the particular needs of elected members and offer guidance and advice. | Accept | This facility already exists informally with the Head of Democratic Services being the lead officer for Member Services and was communicate to all new members on induction, but can be put on a more formal footing. In addition all Members are already offered one to one interviews with the Organisational Team as part of the Members Development Charter mark during which they can discuss their needs. | Head of Democratic Services | Done |
| 4. That the feasibility of providing a vending machine for hot drinks for a trial period be considered. | Accept | Options being identified with a view to installing vending machine in appropriate location on level B to enable Members to purchase hot drinks, although this needs to be put in context of the current facilities in the restaurant (level 1) and the availability of free tea/coffee facilities within the servery. | Head of Democratic Services/ Head of Facilities Management? | December 2008 |
| 5. Given the high usage of the Member Portal and the offer of IT equipment to all Councillors, consideration needs to be given to potential savings that could be made as a result of moving to online distribution of meetings’ paper work etc. | Accept | In considering changes to the distribution of paper work for meetings involving Members regard has to be had to the law and in particular access to information provisions. All reports are currently available on the public website before meetings in accordance with access to information requirements so are readily available should Members prefer to access online copies of meetings. However, the general preference is to also receive hard copies of the reports by those Members actually attending the meetings. Nevertheless there is clearly scope for further consideration of potential savings and a review will be undertaken by IT as to the feasibility of such an arrangement. A survey of papers placed in the Councillors satchels will be undertaken to better understand the kind of materials currently being sent this way. Any learning/advice that could be shared as a result of Scrutiny moving wholly to online distribution of meetings’ paper work etc. would be welcomed. | Head of Democratic Services/ Nicola Smith SUM IT |
December 2008 |
| 6. That an audit of surgery venues takes place to assess their suitability | Accept in Part | Not clear what is expected here with regard to suitability. A survey of Members views will be undertaken to identify areas of concerns but it needs to be noted that the Surgery Venues are appointed and booked by Member Services at the request of Ward Members to suit their needs as Community Representatives they are not chosen or procured by Member Services – so it will be necessary to undertake a review to understand why members are asking for venues to be booked if they don’t think they are suitable and assistance provided to locate alternative venues. | Head of Democratic Services | December 2008 |
|
Learning and Development |
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| 7. That personal training programmes be developed to meet the individual needs of all elected members | Accept | This measure was put in place for this years programme following the review conducted by the Manchester Business School. All members have Personal Development Plans with programmes identified to meet their learning needs |
Martin Collett |
Complete |
| 8. That the Council should provide to bona fide prospective candidates for election, information on the realities of being a councillor in Tameside. | Accept in Part | The recent White Paper: “Communities in Control: real people, real power” includes a similar proposal and prior to implementing any proposal along these lines we should wait for guidance on future legislative requirements. Given the legal complexities surrounding elections the approach that will be taken by the Returning Officer will be to continue to advise as to how to become a candidate www.tameside.gov.uk/elections/standing/faqs and to signpost interested persons to any published literature as is currently on our website at www.tameside.gov.uk/elections Thinking of becoming a Councillor. | Head of Democratic Services | To be reviewed |
| 9. That individual ICT training sessions be introduced to meet the needs of all elected members and that training includes effective use of the Members’ Portal. | Accept | Cllr M Oldham has written to all members involved in the ICT scheme inviting them to take part in a personalised training programme which can be tailored to suit individual requirements and levels of ICT competency. | Nicola Smith SUM IT |
Complete |
| 10. That consideration be given to adopting aspects of the comprehensive induction programme provided for new councillors as detailed in Appendix 3 to this report, as an example of good practice. | Accept | The induction programme was revised following consultation with Member focus groups. The feedback from those members attending is very good. |
Martin Collett |
Complete |
| 11. That an induction also be provided for councillors elected at by-elections at other times of the year. | Accept | This has been built into the existing programme in conjunction with Democratic Services. Previously offered but not mandatory to undertake. |
Martin Collett |
Complete |
| 12. That an evaluation of the induction programme for new councillors be undertaken in November of each year to receive feedback and ascertain whether the induction had met new members requirements. | Accept | Evaluation of the programme is built into this years programme. Evaluation feedback have forms been completed by all members attending the induction programme. Evaluation has also been discussed at the Member Development Forum |
Martin Collett |
Complete |
Page last updated: 1 September 2008