Agenda item

The Head of Human Resources (HR) and Organisational Development submitted a report reviewing the Learning and Development Programme delivered in 2014/15 and sought approval to the proposed Learning and Development Programme for 2015/16. 

The Human Resources Officer (Learning and Development) summarised the main points of the report.  The Chairman congratulated Officers’ ingenuity for organising more training using less financial resources.  The HR Officer gave assurances that any training appropriate for Members was also co-ordinated with the Scrutiny Officer. 

In response to a query regarding the circulation of training to Town and Parish Councils, the HR Officer explained that only one response had been received regarding take up and that she would write to Town and Parish Councils again.  She also stated that external circulation depended on the number of licences the Council held for “e”-training.

In response to a query from the Chairman, the Head of HR and Organisational Development explained the position in relation to the number of graduates and the use of interns who primarily undertook project work for the Council according to a specified programme.  Councillor J Goodeve stated that the use of interns and graduates provided a valuable way of evaluating someone before potentially employing them.

Councillor P Ruffles thanked the Officers for the quality of the report adding that the Council should not lose sight of the customer in terms of their learning needs and how people learn.  The Head of HR and Organisational Development referred the Member to Essential Reference Paper “C” of the report and the variety of training offered including training for those who might be considered vulnerable.

The Head of HR and Organisational Development provided an update in response to a number of questions regarding skills training, professional training, skills gaps, feedback and combining the Council’s training courses with other Authorities.

In response to a question from Councillor M Stevenson regarding core training, the HR Officer explained the Personal Development Reviews (PDR) appraisal process and the fact that some training such as Here to Help (H2H) was mandatory.  The Chairman asked that comments on the H2H programme be also shared with Members.  The Head of HR and Organisational Development undertook to speak with the Scrutiny Officer.

In response to a query from the Chairman regarding the use of “Plain English” in report writing, the HR Officer explained that training had been provided on this and on the use of grammar.

Councillor P Ruffles and the Chairman queried staff training and the Council’s contractors in relation to their use of apprentices, the training development process and to Town and Parish Councils in relation to the planning process.  The Head of HR and Organisational Development explained that the Council had no remit to involve itself with a contractor’s training arrangements but that Health and Safety issues was addressed via the contract.  Members were advised that Planning and Building Control offered pre-planning advice should this be needed.  The Chairman suggested that contractors could be asked for information on their training policies and in relation to apprenticeship schemes.

Councillor P Ruffles referred to the training arranged for Members and asked that the Scrutiny Officer be thanked for arranging this.  This was supported.

In response to a query from the Chairman regarding Home Working for new employees, the HR Officer explained that, usually there was a six month wait time, but there was flexibility with this arrangement providing the Head of Service was satisfied that the employee had the experience and equipment in place.

In response to a query from the Chairman, the Head of HR and Organisational Development provided an update regarding the requests received for “bite-size” training and what the Council could do to provide support and training in relation to the Here to Help programme.

The Chairman asked HR Officers to ensure that all policies were consistent with one another.

The Committee approved the Learning and Development Programme for 2015/16.

RESOLVED – that (A) the Learning and Development Programme 2015/16 be approved; and

(B)       Members’ thanks be recorded for the help the Scrutiny Officer had provided in arranging Member training.