Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to a report requesting Council consideration of a newly-drafted section of the Constitution, which set out the Powers and Responsibilities of Officers and Proper Officer Provisions (which is given a new title in the document of Scheme of Delegation to Officers). These were the powers delegated by Council to Officers to make decisions and take action. A draft document was attached at Appendix 1 of the report and had been the subject of consideration by a Members’ Working Group, set up by the Constitution Committee for this purpose and had been considered by the Constitution at its meeting on 9 October. As the meeting of the Constitution Committee had taken place after the Council agenda was published the minute of the meeting of the Constitution Committee was circulated at the meeting.

The Chairman of the Constitution Committee, Cllr A Martin, moved the recommendations as set out in paragraph 2 of the report, subject to amendment to the wording of the Scheme of Delegation to Officers, to the delete the words “In consultation with” at the start of para 6.24 and to change the word “by” to “to” in the third line.

Paragraph 6.24 to now read :-

“The Chief Operating Officer, to apply the approved early retirement/redundancy scheme in certain circumstances EXCEPT that (a) decisions relating to redundancy must not be delegated to the Head of HR and OD under a local scheme of delegation and (b) decisions relating to redundancy of a post at Grade 15 and above shall be with the agreement of the relevant Portfolio Holder.”

(It was noted that these changes to the wording had been agreed by the Constitution Committee).

RESOLVED

Noting that there is sufficient scope to ensure that changes can be made to the Scheme of Delegation to Officers to reflect the new officer structure of the Council and the powers which rest with officers under it, that : -

1.   Subject to the above changes, the amended Scheme of Delegation to Officers be approved.

2.   The Interim Head of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer, with the agreement of the Chairman of the Constitution Committee be authorised, to incorporate the new Management Structure into the Scheme of Delegation to Officers when all necessary aspects of the structure are settled and the scheme as amended, be submitted to the Constitution Committee for final confirmation, in accordance with paragraph 7.9 of the approved Scheme of Delegation, as amended.