Agenda and minutes

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

Reserve Members may attend meetings:-

(i)                 to take the place of an ordinary Member for whom they are a reserve;

(ii)               where the ordinary Member will be absent for the whole of the meeting; and

(iii)             after notifying the Chair at the start of the meeting.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no Reserve Members in attendance at this meeting.

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from all Members present.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no declarations of personal or prejudicial interests made by Members of the Panel arising from the business transacted at this meeting.

To consider whether any of the items listed on the agenda should be considered with the press and public excluded on the grounds that it is thought likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that there would be disclosure of confidential information in breach of an obligation of confidence or of exempt information as defined in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.

RESOLVED:  That all items be considered with the press and public present.

That the minutes of the meetings held on 8 February and 14 September 2005, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the minutes of the meeting held on 8 February 2005, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record;

(2) the signing of the minutes of the meeting held on 14 September 2005 be deferred until printed in the next Council Bound Minute Volume.

To receive questions (if any) from local residents or organisations under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4B of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions were put at the meeting under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 18.

To receive petitions (if any) submitted by members of the public/Councillors under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4B of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no petitions were received at the meeting under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 15.

To receive deputations (if any) under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 16 (Part 4B of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no deputations were received at the meeting under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 16.

Report of the Director of People, Performance and Policy.

The Panel considered a report of the Director of People, Performance and Policy which provided Members with a draft outline programme for Member Induction in 2006 for their comment. An updated version of Appendix A to the report was tabled. An officer informed the Panel that the draft programme would be considered at the Corporate Management Team meeting and Members requested that they be informed if any subsequent amendments were made.

Members were requested to comment on the proposal to produce a DVD as part of the Member Induction Pack. Members wanted the DVD to be included in the Welcome Pack and also put on the website and intranet. Members requested that the DVD focus specifically on the aims and objectives that had already been agreed by the Panel, and that it should be a resource for newly elected Members and targeted at this audience rather than outside organisations. The DVD would need to include the level of detail necessary for a newly elected Member. Concerns were raised about budgetary implications should the DVD be used as a general resource and it was suggested that anyone who wished to receive a copy of the DVD who was not a newly elected Member would have to pay for it.

Members discussed the content of the Draft Outline Member Induction Programme. The following issues were raised regarding the Welcome Night on 8 May 2006:

Who’s Who

It was reported that this would provide an opportunity for Directors to introduce themselves, both verbally on the night and in written form in the Welcome Pack. The Directorates would also have stands and there would be an introduction in the Council Chamber and small workshops. A Member commented that there should be displays on the Business Transformation Partnership, the Scrutiny function and Communication. Members suggested that the welcome in the Council Chamber take place at 7.30pm, and that the evening start at 6.30pm, from which time Members could have their photographs taken and robes collected in order to reduce the queues later in the evening.

Structure of Council

An officer explained that it was important for Members to be informed on the decision-making structure as well as the organisational structure.

Communications (internal and external)

An officer explained that it was important to explain how the Council would communicate with Members and how Members should respond to telephone calls. A Member suggested that officers from IT be present to provide information on the use of the intranet and email.

Councillor/Officer Role

It was suggested that this session include advise on responsibilities and behaviour of Councillors and therefore should be Member-led. It was suggested that a ‘buddy system’ whereby Directors and Officers would assist new Members could be set up.

The following issues were raised regarding the ‘Getting to Know Your Borough’ week:

Tours

An officer advised that the tours being offered were primarily for newly-elected Members but that all Members would be welcome. A Member commented that the Borough tours should include outlying offices. A Member  ...  view the full minutes text for item 163.

Report of the Director of People, Performance and Policy.

An officer advised that the report had not been provided as the responses required from Members had been given at a previous meeting.

RESOLVED: That the Panel receive a further report on Mandatory Member Training at its next meeting.

The Chair reported that, following a request that elected Members not on the Licensing Panel receive training, an officer had obtained information from an outside organisation on Elected Members Guidance on the Licensing Act 2003.

In response to a Member’s concern about the Member Development budget, an officer explained that there was not a problem and the figures would be reported to the Panel at the next meeting.

Panel Members expressed concern that the next timetabled meeting was not until February 2006.

RESOLVED: That (1) subject to recommendation by officers and the agreement of the Panel, the Elected Member Guidance on the Licensing Act 2003 information be sent to all Members of Council;

(2) the Panel be provided with the Member Development budget figures at its next meeting;

(3) the next meeting of the panel take place on a date in January 2006 to be agreed.