Tories on the council have made a u-turn and are now supporting a £71,000 councillor training programme which their leader previously described as 'a waste of time'.
All councillors will be taught lessons by hired consultants as part of the borough's bid to be awarded the London Member Development Charter, which requires the backing all council group leaders.
Conservative group leader Matt Davis previously described the training as an unnecessary and an attempt to 'depoliticise' councillors.
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But at a meeting of the full council members changed their minds and are now supporting it, although group Cllr Davis and Cllrs John Gover and Michael Lewis abstained from the vote.
Cllr Davis said: "The rest of our group voted for it because very significant concessions have been made.
"This is not a u-turn. We have still not signed up to the charter itself, we have merely signed up to the idea that this is something that the council should move forward."
Cllr Davis said alterations, including the removal of a clause stating that training should "complement the council's strategic priorities", was behind the decision to support it.
He added the £71,000 would not all be spent on training, but would also be used for other purposes, such as conferences.
The Member Development Charter prompted criticism from campaigners and Guardian readers earlier this month when it was revealed that it will not be awarded on the basis of the competencies of the councillors.
Courses with titles such as Managing TIme, Public Speaking Skills and Dealing With The Media have formed part of similar schemes by other councils.
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