A training dairy of a new councillor – Hilary Allen.

May 2019

Darlington Council Officers have produced a (in my opinion) fantastic "guide" to who does what in the Council and have carried out some excellent training for new councillors on a whole range of topics.

The training has been very comprehensive in (a) advising what is expected of us (b) what our responsibilities are and (c) how, on our various committees, we should leave our national politics at the door and work together solely for the benefit of ALL residents.

May 7^th.
7^th. Carousel (opportunity to meet all Heads of Departments), plus get official photo taken!
13th - Corporate Induction.
5th. - Code of Conduct (learning what is and isn't acceptable behaviour!). 22nd - the Planning system.

June

3^rd. - Responsibilities re Licensing.

13th. - Scrutiny questioning skills. 17Th (all day) -Safeguarding Children in the morning, then Safeguarding Adults in the afternoon.

24th. -

For first-time Councillors; to help us get to grips with everything that will be required of us.
25th. - learning about the Council's decision-making process.

July

8^th. - Corporate Parenting (every Councillor is responsible for all the children of Darlington!).
9th - Emergency Preparedness Training.

August

1^st.- we met with Cllr Paul Howell (who is now MP for Sedgefield) as he at that time had the portfolio for Green Spaces/Parks etc - we identified several issues within North Park - all of which he was keen to see rectified. Unfortunately, the Conservatives do not currently have anyone specifically in that role; so we are just having to await their new recruit into that position.

September

9th - pre-application briefing on Sadberge site. 23Rd - briefing re Climate Change.
30th.- Citizenship Ceremony.

October

17^th. - training re Economy & Resources Scrutiny Committee. 23Rd - briefing re Dementia, plus a tour of Feethams House (a Council owned building).

31st - briefing on the Draft Local Plan
.

November

10^th. - saw me attend my first Remembrance Day Parade. I was very moved and very proud to be part of this Civic Service.
18^th. - pre-application briefing re Faverdale site.
25^th. - briefing re Climate Change.

December

Dec 16 - briefing on the Rail Heritage Project. Citizenship Ceremony. A third briefing on Climate Change.