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 no Reserve Members were 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 no declarations of interest were made at this meeting.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 April 2009 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 April 2009 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

To receive questions (if any) from local residents or organisations under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 16 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

To note that no public questions were put or petitions or deputations received at this meeting under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rules 19, 16 and 17 respectively.

Report of the Divisional Director Human Resources & Development.

The Panel received a report of the Divisional Director Human Resources and Development, which reviewed the progress in delivery of the current Member Development Programme, and outlined the forthcoming events for the remainder of the 2009/10 Municipal year. 

An officer provided an update on recent staffing changes within the Human Resources and Development team.  He advised that following the departure of a lead officer responsible for Member Development, a new member of staff had joined the team in a consultancy capacity.  Members expressed their sincere thanks and appreciation for all the work previously done by the departing officer.

The officer advised the Panel that Harrow Council had been awarded the Member Development Charter for demonstrating good practice in Member Development, and advised that an option for the future was to seek Charter Plus status.

The officer reported that it was not his intention to abandon the 360 degree appraisals, and added that feedback from those who had used the development tool had been encouraging.  Members added that 360 degree appraisals had been worthwhile as they highlighted areas for improvement and aided those with more experience to refresh and build on their existing skill set.  In response to a question, the officer stated that Members would be required to have at least one year’s experience in order to benefit from using  360 degree appraisals. 

It was noted that the Member Development Programme had been costed through the Roffey Park Institute, an organisation whose mission was to develop people and organisations to their full potential.  Members suggested that a ‘learning contract’ could be devised for Members to agree to be part of a professional learning process and commit to Member Development.  The officer stated that a contract was something that could be looked at.

A Member suggested the possibility of introducing Podcasts as a way of posting Member Level meetings on the internet.  Members were of the view that Podcasts would help those with disabilities, link better with the community and get more people involved.  A Member stated that the benefits of introducing this initiative would need to outweigh the cost implications. 

A discussion took place around the number of Members who had attended Member Development activities and whether more could be done to ensure that Members attend training events relevant to them.  A Member stated that to be able to identify which Members had not attended training, evidence would be needed.  He added that by using this evidence, discussions could take place amongst Members, which could help identify the reasons why attendance was low.  The officer advised that he would contact Group Leaders and work closely with them to ensure that every effort was being made to increase the level of attendance.

In discussing how administrative staff advertised training events, the officer suggested that a protocol be drawn up which clearly set out the roles and duties of the Member Development administrative staff, so that Councillors and staff were fully aware of each others responsibilities.  Members agreed that this was a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 104.

Report of the Divisional Director Human Resources and Development.

An officer introduced a report of the Divisional Director Human Resources and Development, which outlined the proposals for the 2010 Member Induction Programme.  A Member proposed the possibility that there could be two levels of induction offered, a level for newly inducted Members and a more advanced level for Cabinet and the new opposition.  He added that it was essential to induct as early as possible.  The Member also recommended that Chairing Skills, scheduled in the Member Induction for September, October or November 2010, be brought forward to June 2010.

Members voiced concerns that the planned induction took an integrated approach, adding that it was essential to make use of active learning sets.

A Member stated that he felt more interaction was needed between Portfolio Holders and Scrutiny Performance Lead Members.  He added that it would be appropriate for discussion to be held with Scrutiny officers on this matter.

In relation to a question on delivery methods of training, an officer proposed that a diagram be drawn up which showed new Members where to go and who to see if they had any issues.  An officer added that a draft diagram was being worked on, and would be presented to the Panel for feedback. 

Members discussed the possibility of introducing assessments for Members in areas such as Licensing.  A Member felt it was essential that the possibility of assessments was considered, particularly in relation to Licensing Panels, Planning Committees and Personnel Appeals.  He felt that these tests would be beneficial in testing Members understanding and identify new training needs. 

In relation to the Induction Pack, a Member suggested that Member Development Programme should form part of the presentation at the Members’ Open Evening.  The Chairman also stated that new Members should be informed of the responsibility to reach the Charter Plus standard.

In response to a request the Divisional Director Human Resources and Development, undertook to ensure that all candidates were informed of the key member induction dates in the Council’s Calendar.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.