Issue - meetings

To consider proposed changes to the Council’s arrangements for making urgent decisions.

The Committee considered proposed changes to the Council’s arrangements for making urgent decisions.

The Council’s existing arrangements empowered the Chief Executive or her nominee to make urgent executive and non-executive decisions in circumstances where such decisions were required before the next meeting of the relevant decision-making body. It was suggested that consideration should be given to securing Member involvement in making urgent decisions, with appropriate officer advice and involvement. 

Appendix B to the report contained proposed urgency provisions which, if agreed, would need to be incorporated into the Constitution; there would also be a need for some consequential amendments.

RESOLVED

That Council be recommended

(1)   that subject to the following amendments, the revised arrangements for making urgent decisions as set out in Appendix B to the report be approved and adopted:

with regard to urgent executive decisions:

§         the relevant scrutiny chairmen be notified of the matter and invited to make representations;

§         all Opposition Group leaders be notified of the matter and invited to make representations.

(2)   that the Borough Solicitor and Monitoring Officer be authorised to make such additions and amendments to the Constitution as she considers are necessary to give effect to the wishes of Council.