Agenda item

Andrea McCaskie, Head of Law and Ruth Crowder, Democratic & Legal Support Team Leader, were present for this item.

The Head of Law introduced the report, stating that Members are encouraged to identify any development opportunities they would like to take up and to commit to 20 hours per year, which for local authority Members could include training provided by their own councils. Changes to the Authority Membership in 2016/17 had affected the performance figures shown in Appendix 1 of the report (page 243 of the pack).

It was noted that Cllr A McCloy was appointed as the Member Representative for Member Learning and Development at the Authority AGM in July 2017. Members were asked to make known by December 2017 any other optional development they would like to see included in the framework.

The recommendations were moved and seconded.

Cllr McCloy reported that he intended to have an informal one-to-one discussion with each Member during the next 10 months, to listen to their views and to encourage them to take up the available opportunities.

In response to Members’ questions, the Head of Law confirmed that staff resources affected how much training could be given and that normally, Members were invited to select two or three options. A workshop could not be provided if there was insufficient interest. The National Parks UK New Member Induction course was commended with a request that its scope be broadened to help new Members understand a wide range of issues that apply specifically to national parks.

It was noted that some Members have a long round trip to Aldern House and that online training was a better option for them.   

The Chair concluded by reminding Members that there are fewer than 250 National Park Authority Members in the whole of the UK and that they have a special role as advocates of the interests of the National Park.

The recommendations were voted upon and carried.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the proposed Member Learning and Development Framework (Appendix 1) and the event programme for January to December 2018 (Appendix 2) are agreed.

2.    That Member learning and development activities continue to be recorded in terms of hours and include personal learning and development by Members outside of events organised by the Authority, with the target of 20 hours per Member in every 12 months.