Doncaster councillors still yet to complete 'mandatory' training sessions one year on from election
Doncaster Council held all-out elections in May 2025, meaning all councillors needed to attending mandatory training courses.
A small number of councillors are still yet to complete mandatory training courses more than a year on from their election, documents published by the City of Doncaster Council have revealed.
Councillors are required to undertake a number of mandatory training courses after each election for Doncaster Council and when completed, they are valid for four years – which is when the next set of elections are due.
However, more than a year on from the May 2025 elections, which saw 55 councillors elected to Doncaster Council from across the political spectrum, some of these important training courses have not been completed.
Only three training modules mandatory for all elected members have been completed by every single councillor, leaving five each with at least one councillor yet to complete the training.
This includes one councillor who, according to one document, is yet to complete training on Protecting Vulnerable Adults and Children (PVAC). However, a further report planning training for the year ahead suggests all councillors have completed this session.
Additionally, another councillor has not completed the mandatory training ‘Children’s Services Safeguarding and Corporate Parenting’, which includes training on child exploitation.
Two city councillors have not completed mandatory training on the Code of Conduct which all councillors must abide by.
The documents, prepared in advance of the council’s annual meeting on May 22, 2026, do not identify which councillors have not completed these training modules.
It states dates for councillors to complete the outstanding training are “currently being arranged”.
There are some training sessions which are only mandatory for councillors with specific roles.
This includes a “Performance Management” sessions for cabinet and scrutiny members, which two relevant councillors are yet to complete.
Three cabinet and scrutiny councillors are also yet to complete the “Local Government Finance” training.
Councillors will be asked to note this report at the council meeting on May 22 and agree a new member development programme for 2026/27.