Written question WQ100791
- Asked by
- Helen JennerReform
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What assessment has the Cabinet Minister made of the effectiveness of the current training requirements for members and officers of community and town councils?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning (Siân Gwenllian)
The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 introduced a duty on community and town councils to prepare and publish training plans for councillors and staff, and to keep those plans under review. Statutory guidance issued by Welsh Ministers sets out expectations regarding the identification of training needs and highlights areas such as induction, the Code of Conduct, and financial management and governance.
Responsibility for assessing local training needs and ensuring appropriate training is provided rests with individual community and town councils. Support and training opportunities are also available through organisations such as One Voice Wales and the Society of Local Council Clerks.
I believe all councillors should undertake Code of Conduct training. I intend to consult on relevant changes to the statutory guidance in the coming weeks.