Issue - meetings

To consider the proposed procedure rules relating to the budget and Policy Framework.

The Committee considered proposed procedure rules relating to the budget and Policy Framework.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000 the Council at its meeting on 24^th February 2009 had approved a list of documents which would form part of the Council’s Policy Framework requiring approval by full Council.

Regulation 4 of the Regulations provided that Cabinet had overall responsibility for preparing the draft budget, plans and strategies for submission to full Council for consideration.

A set of Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules had been drafted to comply with Government Guidance. The adoption of such Rules would ensure that the documents which formed part of the budget and Policy Framework were developed in accordance with legislative requirements. In addition such rules would ensure that there were systems in place for resolving conflict in the setting of the budget or Policy Framework and for dealing with urgent decisions.

RESOLVED

That

(1)   subject to (2) below, the draft Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules set out in Appendix B to the report be recommended to Council for adoption and incorporation into the Constitution;

(2)   consideration be given to extending the minimum period for consultation on the budget to six weeks and the Officers be authorised in consultation with the Chairman to make a final determination on the appropriate provision in the draft Rules for recommendation to Council.