Agenda item

The Customer and Democratic Services Manager introduced the report which requested Members to consider the opportunity for the Authority to become a Host Board as part of the Boardroom Apprentice programme.  It was noted that provision of a Board Buddy (mentor) was a requirement of the scheme and if Members were minded to support the proposals then it was suggested that a member of the Programmes and Resources Committee would be best placed to support the Apprentice.  If no volunteer comes forward then the scheme would not be viable.

There is no expectation that any Boardroom Apprentice would be eligible to become a Member at the end of their 12 month apprenticeship. 

It was clarified that the apprentice would be able to speak at meetings but unable to vote. 

11.00am Cllr Hartshorne joined the meeting.

The Members were supportive of this initiative.  The recruitment and selection procedure were clarified and the initiative would be promoted through our media channels.  Any successful applicant would be subject to the Authority’s Member Code of Conduct.

The recommendations as set out in the report with an amendment to recommendation 3 to read “That a Member from the Programmes and Resources Committee is appointed as a Board Buddy to mentor any matched Apprentice”, were moved, seconded, voted on and carried.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the application to become a Host Board for a Boardroom Apprentice for 2025 be agreed.

2.    To agree to support any matched Apprentice by inviting them to attend meetings of the Authority and the Programmes and Resources Committee as a non-voting member.  This is subject to satisfactory completion of a Memorandum of Understanding, signing up to the Members Code of Conduct, compliance with Standing Orders and completion of a register of interests. 

3.    That a Member from the Programme and Resources Committee is appointed as a Board Buddy to mentor any matched Apprentice.

4.    That any matched Apprentice would be eligible to claim for the payment of travel and subsistence allowances as set out in Schedule 2 of the Members’ Allowances Scheme when attending meetings of the Authority, Programmes and Resources Committee and any training or other events as necessary is agreed.