Agenda item

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.

Amira Nassr (Deputy Director for Democratic Services) introduced a report from the Corporate Director Law & Governance that provided members with a summary of the Member Learning and Development (MLD) Programme since the last report to Committee in March 2024, and information regarding the Members’ Expenses Scheme as well as an update on 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 involving a range of delivery times and with the trial of hybrid sessions also continuing, as required.

·             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 for a PDP in 2022 and 12 out of 57 members in 2024.  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, public speaking, use of social media, leadership development, IT skills and scrutiny.  A further programme of follow up reviews had been scheduled to follow the local borough elections in 2026 with Brent’s Councillor Development Charter Plus re-assessment having been completed in February 2025 and the Council successful in retaining its Charter Plus Standard accreditation.

·             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 and Appendix 4 of the report.  This had in resulted in two proposed changes to the Procedure Rules being recommended for consideration and recommendation to The Audit & Standards Committee for formal approval, designed to further enhance transparency in the Charity Appeal operated:

o      That the Mayor, or immediate Members of their family, must not be a Trustee or Chair (or an equivalent position) at a charity the Mayor is fundraising for; and

o      If a donor decided to donate to the Mayor’s charity directly, proof of donation must be shared with the Mayor’s Office. This could be a screenshot of a donation made, a receipt from the charity, or some other equivalent proof of donation.

The Chair thanked Amira Nassr for the update and invited the Committee to raise questions on the report, which focused on the areas highlighted below:

·             Whilst welcoming the proposed changes recommended in relation to the financial and procedural rules governing the Mayors Charity Appeal  as a means of enhancing transparency it was felt further clarification was required on the final wording of the change in relation to donations.  In recognising the need to maintain a robust audit trail, members were keen to ensure the final wording incorporated clarification of the process when a donor would like their donation to be counted towards the Mayors total fundraising for the year and formal proof of the donation required with it recommended that the Audit & Standards Committee should be asked to provide delegated authority for the Corporate Director of Finance & Resources to agree the final wording, reflecting the clarification being sought.

As there were no further issues raised, the Chair thanked officers for the update and progress made in delivery of the Member Development Programme and Mayor’s charity appeal and the Committee RESOLVED to:

(1)        Note the work being undertaken by the MLD Steering Group in continuing the effective training and development of Brent’s elected representatives (as detailed within Appendix 1 of the report).

(2)        Note Member feedback on MLD sessions, requests for future training, and Personal Development Plans Along with the Council having achieved reaccreditation in relation to the Councillor Development Charter Plus Standard(as detailed within Appendix 2 of the report).

(3)        Note the expenses claimed by Members in the course of their work in 2024-25 (as detailed within Appendix 3 of the report).

(4)        Note the outcome of the annual review of the financial and procedural rules governing the Mayor’s Charity Appeal (as detailed within Appendix 4 of the report) and recommend the proposed changes arising as a result (as detailed within 10.4 of the report) to the Audit & Standards Committee for formal approval and adoption subject to confirmation of final wording being delegated to the Corporate Director Finance & Resources in order to incorporate clarification covering when a donor would like their donation to be counted towards the Mayors total fundraising for the year and formal proof of donation required.