Agenda and minutes

1

Introduction and Summary

Pages 27 – 28

1.    Revised text throughout the Article to remove unnecessary wording and clarify language.

2.    Renamed Sections 1 and 2 and sections contained therein.

3.    Delete ‘citizens’ and replace with ‘residents’.

4.    Revised wording to highlight that Members have a duty to all residents, not just those living in their ward.

5.    Amended the ‘Decision Making Structure’ section to simplify the content.

6.    Delete section on ‘Urgent and Emergency Decisions’ as covered in revised Article 7 (Committees, Forums, Working Groups and Partnerships)

7.    Delete section on ‘Area Committees and Forums’ as covered in revised Article 7 (Committees, Forums, Working Groups and Partnerships)

8.    Amended the ‘The Council’s Staff’’ section to clarify that officers give advice to committees and Members.

9.    Amend section on ‘Residents Rights’ to refer to revised Article 3 (Residents and Public Participation)

10.Delete section on ‘Explanatory Notes’ as unnecessary.

11.Delete diagram of committee structure appended as unnecessary.

Agreed as per report

2

Article 1 – The Constitution

Pages 29 – 30

1.    In section 1.3 delete ‘citizens’ and replace with ‘residents’.

2.    Delete ‘address inequality’ as this is not a purpose of the constitution.

3.    Amend section 1.4 to state that the Council may amend the Constitution.

4.    Move Article 13 (Suspension, Interpretation and Publication of the Constitution) into a new section 1.5 of Article 1 and delete current Article 13.

Agreed as per report

3

Article 2 – Members of the Council

Pages 31 – 34

1.    Amend section 2.1 to clarify the language.

2.    Amend section 2.3 (a) to clarify the language relating to the ‘Key roles’ of councillors including the deletion of the section which starts ‘Champion the causes…’ as this is perfunctory.

3.    Amend section 2.3 (b) to delete the section relating to scrutiny of performance as this is covered in the preceding bullet point (relating to participating in decision-making).

4.    In section 2.3 (b) delete ‘authority’ and replace with ‘council’.

5.    Delete duplicated text in Section 2.3 (b).

6.    Amend the title of section 2.3 (c) to ‘Access to Information as the sections covers Members rights of access to council information.

7.    In section 2.3 (c) delete ‘Councillors’ and replace with ‘Members’

8.    In section 2.3 (c) add a requirement for officers to keep Ward Members informed of matters affecting their Ward.

9.    In section 2.3 (d) delete ‘Councillors’ and replace with ‘Members’ and add ‘Vice-Chairman’

10.Move content relating to referrals from Responsibility for Functions (proposed to be deleted) and create a new section 2.4 (d).  Revise section 2.4 (d) to simplify the rules relating to referrals between committees.  Note: sections copied from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.