Further to minute 29 (15 September 2011), the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management provided information in relation to the MBA academic qualification programme, delivered by Chester University, which formed part of the Council’s suite of learning and development opportunities for senior managers. The Council was committed to building capacity at all levels of the organisation and he commented that leadership development was essential to organisational success, to ensure the Council had the managers and leaders with the right skills, knowledge and ability to meet current and future requirements.

The full cost of the programme was £7,800 per person and he indicated that since its introduction in 2006, 57 people had completed the programme. An additional 9 people had completed two years at a cost of £5600 per place, having left the course for a variety of reasons.

In response to questions from Members, the Director indicated that course attendees were on a range of grades, typically above £45k and they had not been asked to make any financial contribution to the cost of the course. A Member commented that he was aware of employees on lower grades who had been required to upgrade an NVQ at their own expense, which was essential for them to remain in their posts. Furthermore, in the light of comments on leadership made by Anna Klonowski, Members questioned the value to the organisation of the MBA course. A view was also expressed that, having regard to the grade of the officers attending it, that they should be requested to make a financial contribution to it. In response to a further question in relation to the number of managers who had left the Council after having completed the course, the Director proposed to provide the information to Members direct.

On a motion by the Councillor Gilchrist and seconded by Councillor Brighouse, it was –

Resolved –

(1)  That the report be noted and the officers be thanked for the information provided.

(2)  That a further more detailed report be presented at the earliest opportunity, upon the issue of senior officer training within the organisation, to include information as to how applications to attend the MBA course are assessed, in relation to the costs and benefits to the Council.