Belfast City Council

 

 

Report to:                    Strategic Policy and Resources Committee

 

Subject:                       ‘Developing Elected Members 2010’

                                    Conference and Workshop

 

Date:                           11th December, 2009

 

Reporting Officer:       Mr. Liam Steele, Head of Committee and Members’ Services

                                    (extension 6325)

 

Contact Officer:          Mrs. Julie Lilley, Members’ Liaison Officer (extension 6321)

 

 

Relevant Background Information

 

The Local Government Chronicle, supported by the IDeA, is organising an Elected Member Development Conference and Workshop from Tuesday, 26th until Wednesday, 27th January. The event will be held in the America Square Conference Centre, central London.

 

The Conference and Workshop will focus on how Members can best be supported and developed, particularly as their roles and responsibilities evolve.

 

Benefits to be gained from Members’ attendance at the event include:

 

Ø      a better understanding of the importance of Member development in the context of community leadership

 

Ø      learning from best practice from a wide range of Local Authorities

 

Ø      accessing networking opportunities with Member peers from across England, Scotland and Wales

 

Ø      learning what Members feel they need from induction training.  

 

The Conference will be addressed by a number of expert speakers who have specialised knowledge of Member development issues and will examine specifically the area of Member induction training. It will involve case studies, discussion sessions and small group work.

 

 

Key Issues

 

The Council has actively promoted Member development and has been innovative in introducing Personal Development Plans for Councillors. Members have recognised that taking responsibility for their own development can have significant advantages and allows them to enhance skills which ultimately help them to undertake the multi-faceted role of a Councillor. The Conference and Workshop will allow Members to explore further how they can work with officers, and each other, to ensure that they are provided with the best possible development programmes and opportunities.

 

 

Resource Implications

 

Delegate Fee:               £579              

Accommodation:           £250

Travel:                           £250  

                                      ____

 

Total per delegate:        £1079

 

 

 

Recommendation

 

It is recommended that the Committee agrees to authorise:

 

§         the attendance at the Elected Member Development Conference and Workshop 2010 of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Committee and the Head of Committee and Members’ Services (or their nominees), together with a Member from each of the Party Groups not represented by the aforementioned Members; and

 

§         the payment of the appropriate travelling and subsistence allowances in connection therewith.  

 

 

Decision Tracking

 

Mr Liam Steele, Head of Committee and Members’ Services, will arrange for the attendance of delegates as appropriate before 13th January, 2010.

 

 

Key to Abbreviations

 

N/A

 

Documents Attached

 

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