Issue - meetings

To formally adopt a Constitution, which will take effect on Vesting Day and which will

set out the Council’s decision-making and overview and scrutiny arrangements.

           Consideration was given to a report, requesting the Council to formally adopt a   Constitution, which would take effect on Vesting Day and which would set out the Council’s decision-making and overview and scrutiny arrangements.

RESOLVED

1. That the recommendations of the Governance and Constitution Committee as  set out in Appendix 1 and reflected in the body of the report, as submitted ,be approved.

2. That Council adopt the Constitution, as set out in the appendices to the report, amended where required to reflect the recommendations of the Governance and Constitution Committee, this to take effect on Vesting Day, subject to the following changes :-

i) That the list of Policy and Budget Framework documents, as tabled, be substituted for the list recommended by the Governance and Constitution Committee.

ii) That the issue of questions and statements by Members and the public be further considered in accordance with the recommendation at Item 10 of the Governance and Constitution Committee meeting on 9^th February but that, in the interim, and in this respect, only the currently appended Cabinet Procedure Rules 7 and 8 should apply, which provide for:

a.     Chairmen and Spokespersons of Scrutiny Committees to attend and speak at meetings of the Cabinet on agenda items;

b.     other Members to speak with the permission of the Leader; and

c.      questions to be submitted by Members of the public, providing 3 working days’ notice is given.

iii) That the Scheme of Delegation should include the designation of the

     Borough Solicitor as Proper Officer for the registration of Births, Marriages

     and Deaths.

iv)That, in future, the full record of all decisions of meetings shall be made available on the Council’s website.

v)That a Strategic Planning Board of 14 Members be appointed, with the terms of reference set out in the recommendations of the Governance and Constitution Committee, constituted by 10 Members of the Conservative Group, 2 Members of the Liberal Democrat Group, 1 Member of the Labour Group and 1 Member of the Independent Group, and that the nominations of the Group Leaders be noted according to the list circulated around the Chamber.

3. That the Shadow Council’s existing Member Code of Conduct and Proper

     Officer provisions continue to have effect on Vesting Day and thereafter.

4. That the Borough Solicitor shall have delegated authority, in consultation  with the political group whips to make such additions and changes to the Council’s Constitution as he considers are necessary in order to ensure the delivery of efficient and effective local authority functions with effect from Vesting Day.