Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2014 be approved as a correct record, subject to the amendment of minute item 8 as follows:

“At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Moore introduced her Members’ Item.

The Monitoring Officer advised the Committee that the second proposal in the Members’ Item was not required as Members who were the subject of a conduct complaint did have a right of access to the Independent Person and should not have been prevented from having access in previous cases considered by the Group Leaders Panel.  On that basis, Councillor Moore agreed that the second proposal should be removed.

Having considered the request set out in the Members’ Item, the Committee voted on the two remaining proposals contained therein. 

In relation to the request set out in the Members’ Item to “Reinstate a Standards Committee with an independent Chair (as well as the Independent Persons) and one representative from each of the three political groups” a Member MOVED that the wording be deleted and replaced with “A review of the Standards Committee be undertaken at the end of the 2014/15 municipal year.”  The proposal was duly SECONDED.  Votes were recorded as follows:

In Favour: 4

Against: 3

Abstentions: 0

RESOLVED that:

1.         The Committee agree that a review of the Standards Committee be undertaken at the end of the 2014/15 municipal year.

2.         The Committee instruct that any councillor subject to a complaint under the Code of Conduct is allowed legal representation. 

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The Head of Governance introduced the report and accompanying addendum report.

Councillor Melvin Cohen MOVED an amendment to Responsibility for Functions Annex A (Committees Membership and Terms of Reference) to clarify that theme committees, the Planning Committee and Licensing Committee have responsibility for developing (above inflation) fees and charges for implementation, and that these be reported to Policy and Resources Committee for noting.

Upon being put to the VOTE the proposal was CARRIED. Votes were recorded as follows:

Following consideration of the report and addendum report the Committee

RESOLVED –

1.         That the Committee recommend to Council amendments to Responsibility for Functions, Annex A (Committees Membership and Terms of Reference) to:

a.     Clarify that theme committees have responsibility for developing (above inflation) fees and charges for implementation, and that these be reported to Policy and Resources Committee for noting

b.     Clarify that the Planning Committee has responsibility to approve land charges fees and charges for those areas under the remit of the Committee

2.         That the Committee recommend to Council an amendment to Protocols for Member Officer Relations, 14.3 to add “safeguarding concerns” to the list of issues Members have a duty to raise.

3.         That the Committee recommend to Council that the Constitution be amended to incorporate the changes set out in this the table below and the track change versions attached at Appendix A to Appendix L.

4.         That further work be undertaken to advise the Committee whether further changes to Protocols for Member Officer Relations be recommended taking into account the Council’s new arrangements with external delivery units.

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