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)             the meeting notes at the start of the meeting at the item ‘Reserves’ that the Reserve Member is or will be attending as a reserve;

(iv)              if a Reserve Member whose intention to attend has been noted arrives after the commencement of the meeting, then that Reserve Member can only act as a Member from the start of the next item of business on the agenda after his/her arrival.

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:

(a)               all Members of the Committee, Sub Committee, Panel or Forum;

(b)               all other Members present in any part of the room or chamber.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no declarations of interests made by Members in relation to 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 meeting held on 7 February 2006, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 February 2006, having been circulated, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

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 received a report of the Director of People, Performance and Policy, which invited Members to comment on, and if appropriate, approve the draft outline Member Induction Programme for 2006.

An officer advised that considerable progress on the Member Welcome Pack had been made since the last meeting of the Panel, but that it was still a work in progress. 

During the discussion on the Welcome Pack, the following suggestions were made:

·         ‘Member Welcome Pack’ should be added to the spine of the Pack.

·         Briefing notes on the Business Transformation Partnership, outside bodies, health and safety, information on recycling and an explanation of how Urban Living worked should also be included. 

·         Different Directorates should be distinguished by the use of different coloured paper, and further information that had been requested be provided on titled interleaves.

·         Page 2 of the Members Handbook gave the impression that much of Members’ correspondence would be sent using green bags, whereas it was felt that e-mails were also used. 

·         Clarification should be provided on abbreviations used, and ‘Risk Management’ should be referred to as ‘Risk Assessment and Management’.    

·         Extension numbers, direct lines and the main switchboard number should be provided, as well as telephone numbers for different Wards. 

·         Reference should be made to the Council website and to Harrow People.

·         Information should be provided on the link between the Corporate Partnership Assessment and strategic partnership working.  

The officer suggested including a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section to provide information requested by Members. In response to the Chair expressing concern over the possibility of Members being overloaded with information, the officer advised that a form on which Members indicated issues about which they wanted further information could be included.  Information could also be provided on Members’ Induction Welcome Evening.

In relation to the Members’ Welcome Evening, the Panel was advised that there would be an exhibition around the Members’ Stand, and hosts to accompany Members on the evening.  Directors would also be present to provide information, and there would be a Member Development Panel stand, which could help Members decide which training areas they would like to sign up for.  Members requested that on the Member Welcome Evening programme, ‘I.T. Issues’ be referred to as ‘I.T. Services’.

Further points were made about the importance of I.T. staff being present on the evening and of Members’ groups not being formed on a political basis.

In response to a Member requesting that information be provided on how area services worked, the officer advised that there were already plans to hold briefing sessions with Members regarding this next year.     

The Panel discussed the planned Induction DVD and requested that they be provided with a set of questions prior to filming.  Members expressed some concern over the organisation of the project, and it was noted that there would not be enough time for all Members to receive a script before their scheduled appointments for filming.                

RESOLVED: That (1) the Member Welcome Pack be amended to incorporate the suggestions made by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 184.