Federal People & Development Committee - June 2023 Report

The Federal People Development Committee (FPDC) met for the first time with its new membership on Monday 15th May with introductions made.

For the election of two Vice-Chairs, the four candidates gave committee members a pen portrait in a minute.  Vikas Aggarwal (member by right as Co-Chair of LDCRE, the Lib Dem Campaign for Race Equality) and Ellie Hudspith (member elected by the Board) were duly elected.

The agenda was divided into four main sections reflecting the work of FPDC.

Regarding membership, the Committee agreed to establish a working group to produce an updated whistleblowing policy for members that interacts effectively with the Party’s complaints process. FPDC members also established a process for managing removals from the registered supporters lists where the Code of Conduct - which they have signed up to - is contravened. Finally, the Committee received a report from party staff on their current priorities according to their work plan and work likely to come to the Committee in the future.

FPDC has responsibility for approving Affiliated Organisation (AO) status and we were pleased to approve Lib Dem Friends of Palestine as an AO of the Party. We’ve also heard that we’re likely to receive an application from the newly formed Lib Dem Friends of Ukraine, as well as a report on the ongoing process of Associated Organisations transferring to Affiliated Organisations.

The Committee were pleased to be given advance sight of a paper on diversity and inclusion going to the Federal Board and be given the opportunity to comment. A good debate was held and it was agreed to compile a response to be given to the Board. Generally, members did not think that diversity should be moved from FPDC where all the diversity AOs have representation. If that action is taken, FPDC have requested clear guidance on how their committee should be refocused.

FPDC received two reports on training currently being delivered to local party officers and election agents. Improved training for local party officers is being prioritised because they play an important role in their own right and also, because of the impact of having a well-trained local team on other party activities  It was noted that the Party is required by the Electoral Commission to appropriately train all election agents. Finally, we received a verbal report from the Training Officer on the key tasks they have been asked to do under the Party’s work plan.

The Federal People Development Committee (FPDC) is looking to approve more of our AO (Affiliated Organisations) as soon as we can.

The Diversity Sub Committee has set up work on updating the whistleblowing policy and we also have a working group on looking at elements of safeguarding. Noting our Registered supporters emergency system of removal works, agreed to add Party President as a sub in case Chair or Vice Chairs not available.