Issue - meetings

This report provides a summary of the Member Learning and Development Programme since the last report to the Committee in March 2024 along with details on Members Expenses and a review of the financial and procedural rules governing the Mayor’s Charity Appeal.

This report provides a summary of the Member Learning and Development Programme since the last report to the Committee in March 2023 along with details on the Members Allowance Scheme.

Amira Nassr, Head of Chief Executive & Member Services introduced a report that provided members with a summary of the Member Learning and Development (MLD) Programme since the last report to Committee in March 2023, and information regarding the Members’ Expenses Scheme as well as an update on the annual review of the financial and procedural rules governing the Mayor’s Charity Appeal.

In considering the report the Committee noted:

·             The role of the Member Learning and Development Steering Group in providing constructive input to shape and evaluate development of the Member Learning & Development programme with an outline of upcoming sessions detailed within Appendix 1 of the report.

·             Whilst most Member and Learning Development sessions continued to be delivered online as the preferred method of learning and development identified by members, the benefits and effectiveness of in person face to face training had also been recognised.  The use of hybrid sessions had also been trialled as a further alternative means of delivery with the offer of this type of training session moving forward to be reviewed as part of the planning of future training opportunities.

·             The feedback provided on the current Member Learning & Development Programme, as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report, which it was noted would be used to assist shaping development of the future programme of activity.

·             The offer of individual Personal Development Plan (PDP) sessions to all members to support identification of individual training needs and assist in shaping future training programmes. Details of the offer provided were set out in section 8 of the report with 31 of 57 members having taken the opportunity since 2022 for a PDP.  A summary of the key priorities identified as a result were detailed within section 8.2 of the report with the core attributes identified for development focussed around chairing and facilitation skills.  A further programme of follow up reviews had been scheduled from June 2024 with Brent’s Councillor Development Charter Plus re-assessment also due to undertaken during 2024-25.

·             The update provided in relation to Members Allowances and expense claims, as detailed within section 9 and Appendix C of the report.  Members were advised that most expense claims related to training as well as caring duties.

·             The update provided in relation to the review of the financial and procedural rules governing the Mayors Charity Appeal, as detailed in section 10 of the report, which had resulted in no changes or modifications being identified for consideration.

·             The update provided in relation to Personal Safety training for members and way in which incidents reported by members were logged, as requested at the previous meeting.  In terms of trends, members were advised that there had been one incident relating to members personal safety reported in 2020, five in 2022 and three during 2023 with an online training session held in January 2023 as part of the LGA Civility in Public Life Programme.  Safeguarding guidance and personal safety support continued to be offered to all members with future training needs and opportunities continuing to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8