Training Plan 2022 – 2027

Prepared by the Town Clerk – Geraint Page Williams

Date approved: 3rd November 2022

Date of First Planned Review: June 2023

Date of Second Planned Review: June 2024

The Town Council has a statutory duty under section 67 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 to implement a plan setting out what it proposes to do to address the training needs of councillors and employees. This training plan has been prepared based on guidance issued by One Voice Wales and the Society of Local Council Clerks. Councillor roles and employee roles have been assessed by reference to a set of core competencies for each role. This assessment has enabled the Council to prioritise its resources to enable all roles within the Council to be supported by a well thought out approach to its training and development needs. The commitment contained in this training plan will assist the Council to enhance its approach to the delivery of high-quality services to its community. The plan will be reviewed at least on an annual basis to ensure that it remains fit for purpose and accounts for the changing needs of councillors and employees as well as any turnover of councillors or employees.

The purpose of the training plan is to ensure that collectively, councillors and employees possess the knowledge and awareness needed for the Council to operate effectively. It is not necessary for all councillors and employees to have received the same training and develop the same expertise.

A new training plan must be put in place after each ordinary election of community and town councillors to reflect the training needs resulting from changes to council membership and to provide for the election of new councillors. This is the Town Council’s first training plan but hereinafter it will review the plan from time to time to keep it up to date and relevant.

In regard to council employees, annual performance reviews identify individual training opportunities. To determine councillors’ immediate training priorities an initial training needs analysis has been made of the essential skills needed and an assessment made as to whether the Council feels there is sufficient coverage and depth across the Council for it to operate effectively.

The Town Clerk’s knowledge and expertise will help guide and support new members during the first 6 to 12 months of their term of office. A further assessment of councillor training needs will be conducted later in the financial year, when new councillors have had more time to settle-in and have become fully accustomed with their roles and responsibilities.

Not with standing this, there are core areas to address to ensure the Council has sufficient skills and understanding. These are:

• Basic Induction for Councillors.
• The Code of Conduct for members of local authorities in Wales.
• Financial Management and Governance.

In addition to these areas, the Council will want to consider if there are new challenges and opportunities it may wish to explore for example, such as those offered by the General Power of Competence. In which case it may decide there are new skills for councillors and employees to attain going forward from the publication of this inaugural training plan.

This training plan identifies initial requirements and is a snapshot of the training needs at this point in time. The plan will be revisited and updated periodically over the next five years and leading up to the next set of local government ordinary elections planned for May 2027.

Following council approval, the training plan will be published on the Town Council Website.

Click here for more information about Training Plan 2022 – 2027 (PDF)