Issue - meetings

The Leader of the Council presented the recommendation to Council. He said that the Council had previously delegated authority of the delivery of the Old River Lane project to the Head of Strategic Finance and Property at its meeting on 18 March 2021. He said that the current post holder was retiring at the end of November so the delegation needed to be updated. The report recommended that the Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy be given delegated authority for this function.

Councillor Crystall proposed that the recommendation in the report be supported. Councillor Swainston seconded the proposal.

Councillor Estop said that she felt decisions relating to the Old River Lane project should be the responsibility of the Executive or the Delivery Board. She said that the delegated authority was not clear on the scope of powers and prompted concerns that the decision-making lacked transparency and accountability.

Councillor Goldspink said she was a member of the Old River Lane Delivery Board and said the Board had made efforts over the last 18 months to improve transparency by publishing its decisions and minutes on the council’s website.

Councillor Jacobs felt the recommendation was unclear and wanted clarity as to how far the delegated authority went.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services said that no decision would be taken by the officer without consultation with the Old River Lane Delivery Board as per the recommendation.

Councillor E Buckmaster said it was common practice to delegate authority to officers.

Councillor Estop said the report did not set out the level of responsibility and said there had been a history of questionable decisions.

Councillor Dumont said that the terms of reference were linked in the report.

The motion to support the recommendations having been proposed and seconded was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED - To delegate to the Head of Communications, Strategy and Policy, in consultation with the Old River Delivery Board operating in line with its Terms of Reference and the S151 Officer (or Deputy S151 in their absence), the authority to make decisions relating to the delivery of the Old River Lane project.