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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to note the contents of the report; · Identify the priorities to schedule the proposed Member Development programme shown at Appendix A · Provide feedback on the proposed Member Development Survey at Appendix B · Provide feedback on the Member Development Evaluation Form at Appendix C to increase the response rates following member development activities, · Delegate authority to the Head of Democratic Services in consultation with the Chair to schedule Member development activities prior to the next meeting of the committee when approval of the full programme will be sought.
RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to: · Consider the report and approve the Members Annual Review process as Appendix A subject to any changes agreed by the Committee; · Delegate authority to the Head of Democratic Services in consultation with the Chair of the Democratic Services Committee and Group Whips to make minor changes to the process to reflect changes in legislation and good practice to enhance participation.
RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to: · Consider the information contained within the report and its appendix and identify an appropriate feedback on the suitability of the WLGA’s Scrutiny Framework; · Delegate Authority to the Head of Democratic Services in consultation with the Chairs of the Democratic Services and Scrutiny Committee’s to provide a response to WLGA by May 30 2025.
RESOLVED: The Democratic Services Committee was requested to: · Note the information set out in the report · Provide feedback on the proposed dates for its meetings in 2025-2026
The Chairperson reminded Members of their responsibility under Part III of the Members’ Code of Conduct to declare any interest in general terms and to complete personal interest forms at the start of the meeting and then, prior to the commencement of the discussion of the item in question, specify whether it is a personal or prejudicial interest. If the interest is prejudicial, Members would be asked to leave the meeting and if the interest is personal, Members would be invited to stay, speak and vote.
The minutes of the meeting held on 13th January 2025 were approved by the Committee as a correct record and signed by the Chairperson.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to note the contents of the report; · Identify the priorities to schedule the proposed Member Development programme shown at Appendix A · Provide feedback on the proposed Member Development Survey at Appendix B · Provide feedback on the Member Development Evaluation Form at Appendix C to increase the response rates following member development activities, · Delegate authority to the Head of Democratic Services in consultation with the Chair to schedule Member development activities prior to the next meeting of the committee when approval of the full programme will be sought.
The Democratic Services Committee considered the Member Development Programme 2025-2026. The Committee was provided with the following information: To assist in the prioritisation of learning opportunities, the Democratic Services Committee previously developed a matrix to reflect this. The timings of members availability was discussed for each meeting: The proposed survey at Appendix B was addressed: · How members prefer to undertake Member Development activities · How long should a standard Member Development session be scheduled for · ;What was the maximum number of Member Development topics that could be scheduled each month; · How many times should a single development member topic be delivered · Which days of the week would members prefer to attend Member Development · Which timings were best for members to attend the Member Development Activities. The Committee discussed the prioritisation of learning opportunities and the matrix that had been developed to reflex this. The Committee discussed the Member Development Schedule. RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to note the contents of the report; · Identify the priorities to schedule the proposed Member Development programme shown at Appendix A · Provide feedback on the proposed Member Development Survey at Appendix B · Provide feedback on the Member Development Evaluation Form at Appendix C to increase the response rates following member development activities, · Delegate authority to the Head of Democratic Services in consultation with the Chair to schedule Member development activities prior to the next meeting of the committee when approval of the full programme will be sought.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to: · Consider the report and approve the Members Annual Review process as Appendix A subject to any changes agreed by the Committee; · Delegate authority to the Head of Democratic Services in consultation with the Chair of the Democratic Services Committee and Group Whips to make minor changes to the process to reflect changes in legislation and good practice to enhance participation.
The Committee discussed the Members’ Annual Review Process. The report sought approval from the Democratic Services Committee for the revised draft of the Members Annual Review process and Guidance. The Committee discussed the process and it was suggested that the WLGA would provide training. The Committee discussed role descriptions and questionnaire that would be circulated. The Committee was advised that Elected Members should be clear that this was not a performance review or an assessment of how well or badly a member had conducted their duties. It was an assessment of the individual members training and development needs to support them in their role. RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to: · Consider the report and approve the Members Annual Review process as Appendix A subject to any changes agreed by the Committee; · Delegate authority to the Head of Democratic Services in consultation with the Chair of the Democratic Services Committee and Group Whips to make minor changes to the process to reflect changes in legislation and good practice to enhance participation.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to: · Consider the information contained within the report and its appendix and identify an appropriate feedback on the suitability of the WLGA’s Scrutiny Framework; · Delegate Authority to the Head of Democratic Services in consultation with the Chairs of the Democratic Services and Scrutiny Committee’s to provide a response to WLGA by May 30 2025.
The Committee considered the proposed Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) Scrutiny Framework and feedback to the WLGA as part of the consultation. The process was outlined to the Committee, this included self-assessment and the self evaluation framework. The Committee were advised this was a Wales wide document, looking at good practice, including the cross-party scrutiny function. RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED to: · Consider the information contained within the report and its appendix and identify an appropriate feedback on the suitability of the WLGA’s Scrutiny Framework; · Delegate Authority to the Head of Democratic Services in consultation with the Chairs of the Democratic Services and Scrutiny Committee’s to provide a response to WLGA by May 30 2025.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: The Democratic Services Committee was requested to: · Note the information set out in the report · Provide feedback on the proposed dates for its meetings in 2025-2026
The Committee considered a report which informed them of the performance of the Council’s Democratic Services since the last meeting on 13 January 2025. The Committee discussed Member Services enquiries and the method being used for logging calls on the Halo system. The Committee discussed the number of users that accessed the Council’s webcasting facility when meeting were being held. The Committee also discussed the completed Member Development Activities. The Committee discussed IT issues and how on some occasions it was difficult to log a call on the Halo system on a phone. RESOLVED: The Democratic Services Committee was requested to: · Note the information set out in the report · Provide feedback on the proposed dates for its meetings in 2025-2026
The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.
There were none.
2025/26 calendar to be confirmed at the Annual Meeting of Council (22nd May).
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
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