Agenda item

*RESOLVED –

1.   That the member development, support and parental leave policy be approved and implemented.

2.   That the member development, support and parental leave policy be reviewed every four years to coincide with the findings of the independent remuneration panel and approval of the members allowance scheme.

3.   That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Governance to approve minor amendments to the member development, support and parental leave policy in between formal review periods.

REASON FOR DECISIONS

This policy sets out Chesterfield Borough Council’s commitment to providing support and development opportunities for elected members. Improved support and development can contribute towards increasing the diversity of experience, age, gender and background of the Council’s members. It will also assist with retaining experienced members and making public office more accessible to individuals who might otherwise feel excluded from it.

The Cabinet Member for Governance presented a report seeking approval for a new member development, support, and parental leave policy for the period 2024 through 2028.

The intention of the member development, support, and parental leave policy was to bring together three existing policies and practice notes into a single document to provide comprehensive and cohesive support for elected members.

The member development element of the policy set out:

·        The key principles for member development.

·        The process for identifying member development needs.

·        The variety of learning and development opportunities available to members and how to access them.

·        The arrangements for monitoring non-compliance with mandatory learning and development.

The member support element of the policy set out the support available for members with a disability/disabilities or during periods of ill-health, and the roles and responsibilities of members and officers. The policy comprised details on:

·        Reasonable adjustments for members and how to identify and access any support needs.

·        How to access support schemes including ‘Access to work’.

·        Arrangements for periods of absence due to ill health including allowance and cover arrangements.

·        Dependant carers allowance arrangements.

·        How to access confidential advice and counselling services.

The parental leave element of the policy set out members’ entitlement to maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption leave. Leave periods, notification, cover and allowance arrangements were also detailed.

*RESOLVED –

1.   That the member development, support and parental leave policy be approved and implemented.

2.   That the member development, support and parental leave policy be reviewed every four years to coincide with the findings of the independent remuneration panel and approval of the members allowance scheme.

3.   That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Governance to approve minor amendments to the member development, support and parental leave policy in between formal review periods.

REASON FOR DECISIONS

This policy sets out Chesterfield Borough Council’s commitment to providing support and development opportunities for elected members. Improved support and development can contribute towards increasing the diversity of experience, age, gender and background of the Council’s members. It will also assist with retaining experienced members and making public office more accessible to individuals who might otherwise feel excluded from it.