Training Policy
Adopted at the meeting of 12th October 2022
Training Policy – Statement of Intent
South Hykeham Parish Council is committed to training its staff and elected members and recognises that well trained and informed staff and members promote good practice within its organisation.
The Council values the time and commitment given by its members to their community and this policy is aimed at maximising the rewards from that time by ensuring that its Elected Members understand and enjoy the role they undertake in their community and are able to discharge that role effectively.
1. South Hykeham Parish Council will identify training needs in the light of the overall objectives of the Council and the requirements of each individual.
This will be done for staff by means of staff appraisal.
All Councillors are encouraged to participate in introductory and advanced training offered by the Lincolnshire Association of Local Council’s (LALC) and /or the National Association of Local Council’s (NALC) the District and County Council and other courses relevant to their council and committee roles including Code of Conduct training. Notice of relevant training opportunities will be circulated to all as they are received by the Clerk.
2. South Hykeham Parish Council recognises that it must also be responsive to certain situations such as:
• Changes in legislation
• Accidents and Incidents
• Professional errors and mistakes
• New equipment and software systems
• New working methods
• Complaints to the Council
• Requests from staff , councillors and parishioners.
3. South Hykeham Parish Council will encourage its staff and all of its members to participate in relevant training and pay expenses arising from such training provided it has been approved in advance by resolution of the Parish Council or the Parish Clerk (where appropriate).
4. The training offered to both staff and elected members will be no less than the minimum standard (Cllrs: New Councillor and code of conduct training; staff: Clerk’s training and induction training)
5. South Hykeham Parish Council will ensure that all of its new members receive the recommended training at the earliest opportunity in their term of office.
6. Training will be provided for staff and members (where appropriate) in matters relating to Audit and Financial management as required by the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2013.
7. The Parish Council will maintain a selection of up-to-date publications / books offering advice concerning all aspects of Local Government.
8. The Parish Council is committed to networking with other councils, as it sees this as an effective means of information gathering and the opportunity to link in with training events held by other councils.
9. Contracts of employment and job descriptions given to staff members will include details of the Council’s commitment to training.
10. The Parish Council has a commitment to membership of the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils (LALC) recognising that it is a lead provider in training for Councillors and staff.
11. The Parish Council has a commitment for its Clerk to be a member of the Society of Local Council Clerks recognising that it is a lead provider in training for officers.
14. The Parish Council will ensure that training for both officers and members is adequately covered as a training item in the annual budget and that it will be reviewed annually.
15. The Parish Council will ensure that there is adequate budget provision for membership of the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils (LALC) and the Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC).