Agenda item

Helen Jenkins and Lead Member Cllr Judi Billing MBE, introduced item three.  The report updates members on the Board’s work regarding engagement figures for 2018/19 Highlighting Political and Managerial Leadership offer.  Cllr Billings stated that she has been overseeing this portfolio of work for around 20 years and is incredibly passionate about it, given improvements to leadership can always be made.  Cllr Billing concluded that interest for this work is on the up, with more and more local authorities and elected Cllrs’ becoming interested.

Following the introduction, members discussed the following:

Members discussed mentoring programmes for elected Cllrs’ with autism, including those older Cllrs’ who potentially do not have a diagnosis of autism, and possibly feeding some of this mentoring into the LGA’s work. 

Members discussed locations of these programmes, and discussed why there was a London-focus venue for holding events.  Members went on to discuss that travelling can pose a real issue for elected officials around the country travelling down to London.  Cllr Billing responded to this, by stating that whilst venue locations are regularly reviewed, holding events in central hubs such as London offers a wider range of delegates attending and more chance to share best practices. 

The discussion turned to Wales and elected officials involvement with the programme.  Cllr Billing responded by stating that they have received various different levels of interest from Welsh regions, but continue to work closely with the Welsh LGA on this matter. 

Members concluded the discussion by holding similar events but at officer lwevel – particularly monitoring and section 151 officers, as well as those who work closely with elected members.  In response to this, Cllr Billing stated that this is a very important area of work, if only to get across the role of an elected member.  Helen Jenkins also stated that programmes for officers are being progressed. 

Following the discussion, the following action was noted:

-       Members noted the update.