Agenda item

To consider a report of the Governance Group.

Note: - a Copy of the Constitution will be circulated separately.

Note:- In accordance with Shadow Council Procedure Councillor Mrs L Smetham attended the meeting and spoke on the following item of business.

The Committee considered a report of the Governance Group regarding the development of a constitution for Cheshire East Council. On 13 May 2008 Council adopted its constitution which formed an adequate basis for governance of its business for the period up to 1 April 2009. During the coming months Council would have to adopt a more developed constitution which would address issues such as schemes of delegation and area working arrangements. Attached to the report were the proposed stages of development for a draft Cheshire East Unitary Authority constitution. It was suggested that a work plan be submitted to the Committee which included target dates and key milestones for the development of the constitution.

At a meeting of the Cheshire East Joint Committee various issues had been raised for consideration by the Governance and Constitution Committee. Such issues included the development of an Officer Code of Conduct and the time limit which applied to Member speaking.

RESOLVED:- 1. That the report be received.

                          2. That the Governance Group submit a workplan for the
    development of the Cheshire East Unitary Authority
    constitution to the next meeting on 14 July 2008.