Agenda item

To consider the report in relation to the Council’s decision-making arrangements.

The committee considered the report detailing the constitutional and procedural arrangements required for the council’s transition to a Leader and Cabinet governance model from May 2026.

The committee noted the suite of documents recommended for adoption, including executive role descriptions, access to information rules, the definition of key decisions, financial and contract procedure rules, and updated terms of reference for several boards and committees. In proposing the recommendations, Councillor Gorman (Chair of the Task and Finish Group) highlighted the extensive work of the Task and Finish Group in developing the proposals which provided a good and firm foundation for effective, transparent, and accountable decision?making under the new governance model. Councillor Gorman thanked both officers and Members of the Task and Finish Group for their time and contribution.

A minor change to the Corporate Parenting Board terms of reference was highlighted which proposed that the membership of the Board be expanded from one elected member to three (one Member from each political group). It was noted that the Board would discharge executive functions, and therefore the membership would be ultimately determined by the Executive Director of Children’s Services. It was proposed that the Corporate Policy Committee recommended this approach to Council for the Executive Director, the Board Chair, and Co-Chair to consider. 

It was further noted that the arrangements would be subject to review in autumn 2026.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

That the Corporate Policy Committee recommends that Full Council, that it:

1.    Note, agree and adopt the following procedural rules and other constitutional documents, provisions and recommendations, as are appended and referred to in the report; these, (with the exception of Appendices 11 and 12 which will take effect immediately), to take effect at the Council’s Annual General Meeting on 13 May 2026:

a.    Appendix 1: Recommendations arising from the deliberations of the T&F Group

b.    Appendix 2: Role Descriptions relating to executive arrangements

c.     Appendix 3: Summary and Explanation of executive arrangements

d.    Appendix 4: Access to Information Procedure Rules

e.    Appendix 5: Key Decision definition and related provisions

f.      Appendix 6: Constitution Committee appointment, and Member training and development

g.    Appendix 7: Reviewed Health and Wellbeing Board terms of reference

h.    Appendix 8: Corporate Parenting Board terms of reference and membership arrangements, with a recommendation from Council that the membership be extended to three members (one from each political group)

i.      Appendix 9: Reviewed Finance and Contract Procedure Rules

j.      Appendix 10: Public Rights of Way, Commons and Town and Village Green Decision-Making

k.     Appendix 11: Proposed changes to planning committee functions

l.      Appendix 12: Agency workers and contractors - use of the Comensura (temporary staffing) resource system.

2.    Note that, at its meeting on 10 December 2025, the Monitoring Officer was authorised, in consultation with the Council’s political group leaders, to make such general and consequential changes to the Council’s Constitution:

a.    as he deems are necessary to give effect to the wishes of Council; or

b.    as he deems to become necessary at short notice, and which may be required to be put in place to ensure the efficient and effective administration of the Council’s decision-making arrangements with effect from 13 May 2026; or

c.     which arise from provisions of legislation.

3.    Note that, as agreed by Council on 10 December 2025, the implemented Leader and Cabinet arrangements will be reviewed in or around the autumn of 2026, with a view to introducing changes and improvements, where these are deemed to be necessary or desirable.