Agenda and minutes

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relevant to the work of the body in question.  Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

There were no members of the public wishing to speak.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th September 2015.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th September 2015 be approved as a correct record.

To consider a report on the draft Calendar of Meetings for Cheshire East Council for 2016-17.

The Committee considered the draft calendar of meetings for 2016-17.

A draft timetable of meetings was attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

It was suggested that for next year’s calendar an exercise could be undertaken, possibly involving a Member task and finish group, to see what comparator and neighbouring authorities were doing, identify best practice and assess the implications of holding some meetings in the evening. The officers took note of the suggestion with a view to undertaking an exercise along the lines suggested.

It was also suggested that the Council meetings in the winter months should commence at 11.00 am and not 10.00 am to allow for winter travel conditions.

RESOLVED

That the draft Calendar of Public Meetings for Cheshire East Council 2016-2017 be recommended to Council for approval subject to the following amendment:

§  The Council meetings to be held on 15^th December 2016 and 23^rd February 2017 commence at 11.00 am and not 10.00 am as indicated in the report.

To consider a report inviting the Committee to confirm appointments to the Cheshire East Council’s Members Allowances Independent Remuneration Panel and to appoint the Panel Chairman.   

The Committee considered a report on appointments to the Cheshire East Council Members’ Allowances Independent Remuneration Panel, and the appointment of the Panel Chairman.

Eight applications had been received in response to a press release seeking expressions of interest. Interviews were held on 9^th and 15^th October 2015.

The names of the preferred candidates were as follows:

Patrick Grange

Steve Leach

Mandy Ramsden

Eric Shaw

Background information on the individuals concerned relating to their suitability for appointment to the Panel had been circulated to Committee members.

Owing to the high calibre of applicants, it was suggested that a pool of four Members be created, from which the Chairman of the Panel would choose attendees for meetings, depending on the nature of the business to be considered.

RESOLVED

That

1.    the following four individuals be appointed to a pool of Members to sit on the Cheshire East Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel for a period of four years:

Patrick Grange

Steve Leach

Mandy Ramsden

Eric Shaw

2.    Steve Leach be appointed as the Panel Chairman; and

3.    the Chairman of the Panel be given authority to use his discretion to select members from the pool according to the nature of the work to be conducted by the Panel.     

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of the Vice-Chairman. There are no papers.

This item was withdrawn.