The Standards Committee of Wandsworth Council was scheduled to consider proposals for a new Member Induction and Development Programme for 2026/27. The meeting's agenda also included the approval of previous minutes and a review of declarations of interest.

Proposed Member Induction and Development Programme 2026/27

The committee was set to review a report detailing a proposed induction and training programme for new and returning Members of Wandsworth Council following the local elections in May 2026. The programme aims to equip councillors with the necessary knowledge and skills for their roles.

Key elements of the proposed programme include:

• Welcome Evening (11 May 2026): This event is scheduled for councillors to complete official paperwork, have their photographs taken, and for new Members to collect ICT equipment and submit payroll documents.
• Members Fair (13 May 2026): This session is designed to introduce Members to the various council directorates, including Adult Social Care and Public Health, Children's Services, and Finance, allowing them to meet executive directors and their teams.
• Induction and Refresher Training: A comprehensive programme is planned, delivered over 12–18 months. This will include mandatory courses on the council's Constitution, Ethics, and Code of Conduct, as well as sessions on personal safety, cyber security, and committee procedure rules.
• Role-Specific Training: Targeted training will be provided for specific roles, such as Lead Members and Committee Chairs, and for those newly appointed to portfolios.
• Individual Support: One-on-one support will be available for Members with specific development needs, such as IT skills or particular learning requirements.
• External Development Activities: Updates from accredited training organisations like the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) will be shared, with opportunities for Members to apply for external courses.
• ICT Equipment: The proposal includes the potential distribution of iPads with data packages to Members to support their ability to serve their communities effectively, alongside existing ICT options.
• Feedback Mechanism: A survey will be conducted after the initial 3-4 months of the induction programme to gather feedback for potential improvements.

The report indicated that the cost of the Member Induction Programme would be met from existing budgets, with the purchase of iPads and data packages subject to the budget review process.

The report was submitted for information, with no decisions required from the committee at this stage.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The committee was also scheduled to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 19th February 2025. The previous meeting's minutes noted that the number of standards complaints against Members remained low, with none reaching the stage of an investigation in the preceding two years. A recurring factor in a number of complaints was the use of social media, which was to be reflected in the Member Development programme going forward.