Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 September 2014 be approved as a correct record.

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The Committee noted the additional information which had been tabled in relation to this item which detailed the legal opinion on the introduction of a call-in mechanism in a committee system form of governance.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Rawlings introduced his Members’ Item.

Having considered the request set out in the Members’ Item, the Committee voted on the proposal.  Votes were recorded as follows:

In Favour: 3

Against: 4

Abstentions: 0

The proposal set out in the Members’ Item was LOST.  No further action will be taken in relation to this request.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Dr Kay introduced her Members’ Item.

Having considered the request set out in the Members’ Item, the Committee voted on the proposal.  Votes were recorded as follows:

In Favour: 3

Against: 4

Abstentions: 0

The proposal set out in the Members’ Item was LOST.  No further action will be taken in relation to this request.

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

Having considered the request set out in the Members’ Item, the Committee voted on the three 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 access to the Independent Person throughout the process.

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

The Head of Governance (Acting) introduced the report.

Councillor Moore MOVED that the Committee recommend to full Council a reduction in the number of theme committees from eight to six (responsibilities of the Community Leadership Committee to be subsumed into the into the Policy & Resources Committee and the responsibilities of the Housing Committee and Assets, Regeneration & Growth Committee being merged). 

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

In Favour: 3

Against: 4

Abstentions: 0

RESOLVED that:

1.     The Committee, having considered the changes to the Constitution as set out in Appendices A to D agree that the changes detailed in the tabled below be recommended to full Council for adoption.

2.     The Committee instruct officers to make the required amendments to the proposed Constitution for inclusion in the papers for full Council to consider and approve on 16 December 2014.

3.     The Committee agree to keep the matters detailed in Section 1.7 of the report under review, subject to the removal of the elements on Section 20.4 of Full Council Procedure Rules and the reduction in the number of committees as referred to in Responsibility for Functions, and subject to the addition of a section in relation to the procedure for Motions for the Adjournment (Section 2(15) of the Full Council Procedure Rules).

4.     The Committee note the amendments to Article 9 (Chief Officers) and Responsibility for Functions, Annex B (Scheme of Delegated Authority to Officers) as detailed in the report.

5.     The Committee instruct the Interim Legal and Governance Adviser to prepare amendments to Section 6 (Members’ Rights to Refer Matters to Parent Body) of Responsibility for Functions to enable committees to refer matters to a parent body after the debate has ensured and a decision has been taken.  The referral to the parent body is to include the details of the reason for the referral to the parent body.  Detailed proposals are to be reported to full Council on 16 December 2014.

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