Decisions

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services submitted a report on a review of the Constitution. 

It was moved by Councillor J Wyllie and seconded by Councillor A Alder that the recommendations as detailed be approved.  Councillor M Goldspink requested that her abstention from voting be recorded.

RESOLVED that (A) revisions to the Council’s Constitution as detailed, be approved;

(B)        the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make any minor amendments, correct typographical or drafting errors required; and

(C)        the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make any consequential changes to the Constitution arising from any legislative changes or other decisions that may be taken during the year.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services submitted a report on a review of Scrutiny.  She referred Members to the recommendations for improvement.  These were to

·                    establish a single independent scrutiny committee (the Overview and Scrutiny committee) which would agree an annual programme of scrutiny of issues which reflected the concerns of residents and councillors;

·                    to require the Executive to minute and make formal its responses to the scrutiny committee recommendations in the form of a letter from the Leader to the Scrutiny committee chairman; and

·                    to decommission the Performance, Audit and Governance Scrutiny committee replacing it with a Performance, Audit and Governance Oversight Committee. 

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services explained the reasons for the recommendations, as detailed in the report.  She stated that a request had been received from a Member to include a reference to training for Members of the new committee on Standards.  This amendment to the Constitution, if approved, would be made as a consequential amendment.  Consequential amendments were those amendments which were necessary due to a change authorised by legislation or decisions taken through the year.  Such amendments were delegated to the Monitoring Officer.

Councillor E Buckmaster asked whether the wording of the Constitution was to be changed at tonight’s meeting.  The Head of Legal and Democratic Services advised that the Constitution would be amended to reflect the additional recommendation.

It was moved by Councillor J Goodeve and seconded by Councillor D Hollebon that the recommendations, as detailed, be approved.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

Councillors T Beckett, L Corpe and M Goldspink requested that their abstention from voting be recorded. 

RESOLVED – that (A) a single independent Scrutiny Committee (the Overview and Scrutiny Committee) be established;

(B)        The Overview and Scrutiny Committee agree an annual programme of scrutiny of issues reflecting the concerns of residents and councillors;

(C)        The Executive be requested to formalise its responses to the Scrutiny Committee in the form of a letter from the Leader to the Scrutiny Committee Chairman;

(D)       Performance, Audit and Governance Scrutiny committee be decommissioned and replaced with a Performance, Audit and Governance Oversight Committee, with the terms of reference to be as set out in the report to the meeting ; and

(E)To provide for training on Standards for members of the Performance, Audit and Governance Oversight Committee.