Issue - meetings

To establish a training programme for Parish Councils.  Dates for Equality and Diversity training at County Hall have been set for 23rd and 24th April 2008.  

Officers provided an update on training for parish councils.  Equality and Diversity training sessions had taken place at County Hall and Wychavon District Council on 23rd and 24th April 2008 and the Monitoring Officer and Deputy Monitoring Officer had attended some parish council meetings to provide training on the Code of Conduct and associated matters.  Further workshop style training sessions were also planned to assist councillors in completing their register of interests forms and officers would continue to assist where requested.  Discussions were taking place with Richard Levett, Executive Officer of Worcestershire County Association of Local Councils, to see what additional training was required.  However, resources were an issue as changes to the District Council's Constitution, which were due to come into effect on 1st May 2008, required that only Members who had received appropriate training by 1st September 2008 would be permitted to sit on or substitute on the Council's formal committees, boards or panels. 

The Chairman welcomed the training that was being put in place for parish councils and thanked officers for the work they had undertaken with this.  Thanks was also expressed to Mr. Cypher for the updates he was providing the Committee with on behalf of the Parish Councils.    

RESOLVED that the position be noted.