Agenda item

The Head of Governance & Scrutiny introduced a report on the results of the first Member Survey carried out in January/February 2023 and invited views on the survey questions relating to Member conduct ahead of the next survey scheduled for October 2023.

The Member survey carried out in earlier in the year had been the first recent such exercise for elected Members in Slough.  Many of the questions mirrored those asked in the LGA national census conducted of councillors so the data would be comparable.  A repeat of the survey would be carried out in October 2023 and annually thereafter to provide regular information about Members’ perceptions and opinions including about conduct and standards issues.  The results would help identify issues, ensure adequate Member support and inform specific areas of work such as the Member development programme.

Members felt that the survey was well structured and the questions were relevant.  Further information was requested about the purpose of the survey and use of the information provided, including whether the data on casework had been fed back to the service area.  The Head of Governance & Scrutiny commented that it was good practice to carry out a Member survey and it helped improve awareness of councillors views and opinions which would help inform a range of activities and plans.  The data had been reviewed by the Corporate Governance Working Group and fed into the Democratic Governance and Scrutiny Action Plans; shared with scrutiny members and the annual review workshop and included in the 2022/22 scrutiny annual report; and circulated to the Corporate Leadership Team and Directorate Leadership Teams for potential lessons to learn in each service area.

At the conclusion of the discussion the results of the first Member Survey were noted and it was generally agreed that the survey was well structured and the questions were relevant.

Resolved –

(a)  That the results of the previous Member Survey be noted.

(b)  That the feedback of the Committee that the survey was well structured and that the questions remained relevant be noted ahead of the next survey in October 2023.