Agenda and draft minutes

To appoint a vice-chair for this committee for the municipal year 2025/26

The Chair requested nominations for the position of Vice-Chair of the Council Business Committee for the municipal year 2025-26.

It was proposed by Councillor Abi Mills and seconded by the Chair “That Councillor Paul Newton be appointed Vice-Chair of the Council Business Committee for the municipal year 2025/26”. There being no further nominations, the Chair declared the proposal to be carried.

Resolved:

1)     That Councillor Paul Newton be appointed Vice-Chair of the Council Business Committee for the municipal year 2025/26.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 20 February 2025 and the extraordinary meetings held on 26 March and 17 April 2025 (previously circulated).

The minutes of the ordinary meeting held 20 February and the extraordinary meetings of 26 March and 17 April 2025 were signed by the chair as a correct record.

There were no items of urgent business.

To receive declarations by Councillors of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Councillors are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Councillors should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Councillors are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

There were no declarations of interest.

Report of Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections.

The Committee received the report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections which asked Members to consider the draft Councillor Training and Development Strategy 2025/2027. Following an introduction and summary of the Strategy by the Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections, the Chair asked Members for comments.

During discussion, the Committee proposed some minor amendments regarding attendance at training sessions, briefings and arrangements for booking travel to events.

At the conclusion of the discussion it was proposed by The Chair, Seconded by Councillor Mills and resolved unanimously as follows:

Resolved: -

1)     That wording be added to the Strategy reflecting the role of Group Leaders in encouraging Councillors to attend training and briefing sessions.

2)     That the final paragraph of Section 10 “Delivering the Strategy,” be amended to say the following:

On no account should any Councillor book their own training, train travel to a training event or accommodation for an overnight event themselves without first consulting Democratic Support.

3)     That the Strategy be commended to all Members with Group Leaders strongly encouraged to ensure that their groups benefit from any ongoing training and development opportunities provided.