Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Governance Lead Officer with further information

on cooption and seeking the views of the Committee on whether to progress

the matter further.

The Committee considered a report on co-option that sought views on whether to progress co-option further.  The Committee was advised that, subject to the views and agreement of the Governance and Constitution Committee, it could co-opt – in a non-voting capacity – any individual whose experience and views Members felt could be of benefit.  The County Council Committee had quite an extensive scheme of representation with some representatives attending meetings on a regular basis.  However, there was no requirement to have a scheme of co-option and many Health Scrutiny Committees did not have such schemes.

In considering the issue Members were advised that there were a number of points to take into account:

      Liaison with other organisations could be achieved without having permanent co-option including involving organisations in Task and Finish Panels that were looking at a specific issue;

      It was important to have “balance” on the Committee;

      If the Committee was to pursue co-option it would need to consider from which sectors to seek representation together with the term of office to be applied and whether to have substitution arrangements;

      How to handle potential conflicts of interest.

RESOLVED:  That

(a)   no action be taken on permanent co-option to the Committee for the time being; and

(b)   further consideration be given to this matter in approximately twelve months time.