The Democratic Services Committee met to discuss member training and development. Councillors were reminded to complete essential learning and induction modules on the council's Thinqi learning platform, and the committee agreed to further measures to encourage participation. The committee also approved the minutes of the previous meeting.

Completion of online learning modules

The committee discussed the importance of councillors completing essential learning and induction modules on the council's Thinqi learning platform. It was agreed that all councillors should be requested to access their personal learning accounts on the Thinqi system to complete these modules.

Dirk Newman, Lead Business Partner (Learning and Development), reminded members that the authority had moved all e-learning to the Thinqi learning management system earlier in the year, and that drop-in sessions had been held for all members to demonstrate the new system. He noted that completion of the modules to date had been limited, but that a full breakdown had been provided to group leaders.

The councillors' area on Thinqi is split into three key areas:

1. Member Induction Material
2. Member Development Toolkit, which includes national WLGA¹ material
3. Recordings of member development sessions undertaken in person

Mr Newman outlined a number of measures that could be taken to increase participation, including:

• Reaching out to group leaders to ask them to encourage their members to complete their modules
• Continuing with drop-in sessions during council meeting days
• Providing specific one-to-one sessions with members who require additional support

It was also noted that automatic reminders for completion could be activated once members were confident in the use of the system.

Councillor Michael Cranham, Chair of the Committee, said that in his role as the Authority's Member Development Champion he would write to all members to encourage completion, in consultation with the Head of Democratic Services.

The committee agreed to politely remind councillors that the creation of the Essential Learning areas on the learning Management system followed a request by council members as part of the Learning Needs Analysis, for flexible access to all learning aimed at or specifically designed for elected members.

Approval of minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2024 were approved and signed as a correct record.