Motion to make training mandatory
In view of recent inappropriate language spoken by a councillor at a public committee meeting, South Kesteven District Council needs to ensure that all councillors are suitably prepared for their roles as public representatives.
At present, training is only mandatory if Members sit on specific committees, such as Licensing and Planning.
There is an extensive programme of additional training offered to councillors which, disappointingly, often has to be cancelled due to lack of interest. However, if councillors are to effectively serve their community, then training to support their knowledge and understanding is essential.
As such, SKDC resolves:
· To ensure that all Councillors attend appropriate training in order for them to carry out their role and the business of the Council effectively
· To make training in Equality and Diversity mandatory for all councillors in order to sit on any Committee of the council
Minutes:
Motion to make training mandatory from Councillor Wheeler
In view of recent inappropriate language spoken by a Councillor at a public Committee meeting, South Kesteven District Council needs to ensure that all Councillors are suitably prepared for their roles as public representatives.
At present, training is only mandatory if Members sit on specific committees, such as Licensing and Planning.
There is an extensive programme of additional training offered to Councillors which, disappointingly, often has to be cancelled due to lack of interest. However, if Councillors are to effectively serve their community, then training to support their knowledge and understanding is essential.
As such, SKDC resolves:
· To ensure that all Councillors attend appropriate training in order for them to carry out their role and the business of the Council effectively
· To make training in Equality and Diversity mandatory for all Councillors in order to sit on any Committee of the Council
In submitting her motion Councillor Wheeler referred to the new Councillor Code of Conduct that the Council had just adopted. An important part of the Code was that Members followed the Equality Act 2010 and that Members could not discriminate against any of the nine protected characteristics of:
· Age
· Disability
· Gender reassignment
· Race
· Religion or belief
· Sex
· Sexual orientation
· Marriage and Civil Partnership
· Pregnancy and Maternity
The Equality Act was law and any Councillor who fell short on any of the above matters was breaking the law. Training was very important and helped Councillors to do their jobs well. Councillor Wheeler thanked the Member Services Officer who put the training programme for Members together, who sourced the trainers and arranged the training sessions. She reflected that it must be a frustrating job when Members did not respond or those who confirmed their attendance and failed to attend the training sessions. She asked that Members supported her in resolving to make Equality and Diversity training mandatory to enable Members to do their jobs well and fairly and within the Code of Conduct and the Equality Act 2010.
The motion was seconded.
A Member wished to include the word ‘Officers’ in the first bullet point of the motion as an amendment, however, it was stated that training for employees came under the remit of the Head of Paid Service and it was therefore inappropriate for Council to include Officers in the motion. The Member withdrew this amendment.
Assurances were given that training for Officers on equality and diversity was built into the Council’s corporate training programme.
The Leader of the Council stated that he supported the motion before Members but wished to amend the wording of the first bullet point to read:
“To ensure there is a clear expectationthat all Councillors attend appropriate training in order for them to carry out their role and the business of the Council effectively.”
Councillor Wheeler confirmed she was happy to accept the amendment.
A question was asked about the introduction of mandatory training being required before any Member was able to sit on Committees. The Chairman of the Constitution Committee stated that some of the mandatory training for Planning and Licensing Committees was required by law, whereas training for Governance and Audit Committee was required locally through the Council’s Constitution.
A further amendment was proposed to amend the wording to the last bullet point to read:
“To promote training in Equality and Diversity for all Councillors and ensure that there is a clear expectation that all Councillors complete this in order to sit on any Committee of the Council.”
The amendment was seconded.
Some Members were unhappy with the proposed amendment as it removed the necessity to attend training, replacing the mandatory aspect with an expectation to attend.
A question was asked whether external training on Equality and Diversity undertaken by Members as part of their jobs would be accepted as having completed training. It was stated that all Members would be required to undertake training arranged by South Kesteven District Council, irrespective of any training they may have received from elsewhere.
A vote on the second amendment, which had not been accepted by the original proposer, was taken.
DECISION
That the amended wording to the second bullet point, as set out above be AGREED.
Some Members expressed their disappointment that the word ‘mandatory’ had been excluded from the motion and this was echoed by the Councillor who had put forward the original motion. She expected that all Members would attend the training as she believed in education and that training was a good thing.
The substantive motion before Council was voted on.
DECISION
That South Kesteven District Council resolved:
· To ensure there is a clear expectationthat all Councillors attend appropriate training in order for them to carry out their role and the business of the Council effectively.
· To promote training in Equality and Diversity for all Councillors and ensure that there is a clear expectation that all Councillors complete this in order to sit on any Committee of the Council.
Councillor Kelly was shocked and disappointed by the decision made by Council and asked that her vote against the decision be recorded.
As the extended time allowed for the meeting had been reached, it was agreed that those motions not dealt with would be deferred to the next ordinary meeting of Council on 27 January 2022.