Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2015.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2015 were approved as a correct record.

Councillors and Officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

To discuss the outcomes of the Locality Working All Member Working Group and what affect these may have on member development and support.

Officer Contact: Craig Ainsworth on 0161 474 3204 or email: craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk.

A representative of the Chief Executive reported the outcomes of the Locality Working All Member Working Group and what affect these may have on member development and support.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Members would need more support and training as their role as community champions increased;

·         Members would be involved in a wider variety of meetings and chairing skills would potentially need to be developed;

·         There would be a need for further political awareness and development amongst officers;

·         The importance of having an up-to-date officer and member relationship protocol.

RESOLVED – That the draft Locality Working model be submitted to Panel at the next meeting.

To discuss best practice from other Local Authorities.

Officer Contact: Craig Ainsworth on 0161 474 3204 or email: craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk.

A representative of the Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining how other Local Authorities were engaging communities in public services and equipping Councillors to deal with changes to the Local Authority.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make arrangements for members of the Panel to visit another Local Authority to speak to local members about their evolving role.

The Monitoring Officer will attend the meeting to provide the Review Panel with some guidance in relation to Councillors’ responsibilities regarding membership of external bodies/ boards/ groups & the legal responsibilities placed on them, and how Councillors can be supported in relation to the Management of Information.

Officer Contact: Craig Ainsworth on 0161 474 3204 or email: craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk.

The Monitoring Officer attended the meeting and provided the Review Panel with some guidance in relation to Councillors’ responsibilities regarding membership of external bodies/ boards/ groups & the legal responsibilities placed on them, and how Councillors could be supported in relation to the Management of Information.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         There was a distinction between members being appointed and nominated to an outside body;

·         Some outside bodies have declarations of interests on their agendas which assisted in avoiding conflict and liability;

·         New members were made aware of their responsibilities on outside bodies during their induction, however the training needed to be more comprehensive;

·         Current members also needed to be made aware of their responsibilities on outside bodies;

·         As the Council retracted its services, communities would take on more responsibilities and therefore Councillors would be invited to be members of more community groups;

·         Concerns were raised as to whether Council iPads were sufficiently encrypted.

RESOLVED – That an e-learning package be created covering Councillor’s responsibilities regarding membership of outside bodies, information management and the Councillor Code of Conduct and should be mandatory for all members.

To consider a report from Stephanie Snape (North West Employers).

The report outlines the key issues that have arisen during the course of the review and possible options for members to consider as part of their final recommendations.

The Panel is requested to consider and comment on the report.

Officer contact Craig Ainsworth on telephone number 0161 474 3204 or email craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk.

With the consent of the Panel this item was withdrawn and a report would be submitted to the next meeting.

20 January 2016

RESOLVED – (1) That the next meeting of the Panel be held on 20 January 2016.

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make arrangements for a meeting of the Panel to be held on 23 February 2016.