Agenda and minutes

Venue: Parkside, Station Approach, Burton Street, Melton Mowbray LE13 1GH

Contact: Sarah Evans 

Items
No. Item

CO1

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Glancy, Holmes and Posnett MBE.

CO2

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST pdf icon PDF 50 KB

Members to declare any interest as appropriate in respect of items to be considered at this meeting.

Minutes:

Councillors Orson and Pearson each declared a personal interest in any matters relating to the Leicestershire County Council due to their roles as County Councillors.

CO3

MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REMARKS

To include Mayor’s Outgoing speech

 

Minutes:

The outgoing Mayor, Councillor Chandler, referred to

 

(a)  taking on the role as Mayor with pride and reported on the enjoyable year she had experienced;

 

(b)  the centenaries of the RAF, the Defence Animal Training Regiment here in Melton, the Armistice, the National Farmers’ Union opening in Melton and the celebration marking 70 years since the Polish Community first arrived at Ashby Folville before settling on Sandy Lane.  All were celebrated by occasions that would last in the memory, as would the enjoyable visits to local schools, clubs and associations all run by an army of volunteers, who in many cases did not receive the recognition they deserved.  She was determined that her Mayoral awards should reflect the part these people played in the community;

 

(c)  being taken back by the number of organisations who valued the role of the Mayor, and requested her presence at their functions.  The withdrawal of the Civic Officer would most certainly change the way the Mayoral diary was administered with far more responsibility being placed on the Mayor in accepting and carrying out engagements in addition to the customary thank you letters afterwards;

 

(d)  many were aware of her concerns that the Council undersold both Melton and the surrounding Borough.  She felt the Council had  to make this one of its priorities as the lost revenue from tourism would certainly boost the local economy.  A couple of weeks previously the Melton Town Centre was the finish of the International Classic Cycle Road Race.  Teams from 8 different countries took part, an American winning the 198.5 km course out of 180 or so other riders.  She added that there was nothing going on in the town centre to attract families and she had heard other towns made more effort for this event.  The ladies race was scheduled for June, when again top international riders would be competing, nothing appeared to be planned at this stage to promote that event.  Credit had to go to Matthew O’ Callaghan who brought people into the area with his organisation of both the Pie Festival & Cheese Fair;

 

(e)  also promoting the Bottesford area.  She had been invited to address the Melton in Bloom AGM and answered questions which again related to  why the Council did not promote itself better.   She felt the Council had to do more to promote the Borough as well as such organisations as Melton in Bloom who worked tirelessly tending to the area around Parkside in addition to several other prominent areas around the Town Centre and also referred to some recent vandalism of the Heritage Area immediately adjacent to Parkside;

 

(f)   being invited to witness Councillor Pam Posnett MBE invested as Chairman of Leicestershire County Council and that this was an honour for both Pam and Melton;

 

(g)  her appreciation of her Deputy, Tom Greenow, and that of his wife and that due to personal commitments was not able to attend the meeting.  She added that she had sent flowers to him and his  ...  view the full minutes text for item CO3

CO4

ELECTION OF MAYOR

To elect the Mayor for the period until the Annual Meeting in 2020

 

Minutes:

Councillor Bains proposed Councillor Graham MBE be elected Mayor of the Borough until the Annual Meeting in 2020.  Councillor Bains said it was an honour to propose Councillor Graham as he could not think of a better person for the role and he had been a Councillor since 1987.  He referred to his own Mayoral year during which he had presented an award for 30 years service to Councillor Graham.  He recalled the first time they had met and that he felt they would have nothing in common due to their different backgrounds.  However since then he had received great support and guidance from Councillor Graham and implored others to seek his experienced guidance.  He referred to him being the Leader of the Council for 14 years and leading the Council through the fire that devastated the previous Council offices building.  Councillor Graham had been on all committees apart from Planning and was Mayor in 1993/94.  He paid tribute to the support of Councillor Graham’s wife, their four daughter and four grandchildren.  Should the motion be successful, he wished Councillor Graham a wonderful Mayoral year.

 

Councillor Chandler seconded the motion.  She referred to Councillor Graham being Leader when she was first elected to the Council and that he had been a great support and was always available for good advice and help. 

 

On being put to the vote, the motion was unanimously carried.

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Graham MBE be elected Mayor of the Borough of Melton for the period until the Annual Meeting in 2020.

CO5

INVESTITURE OF MAYOR AND MAYORESS

(a)   To invest the Mayor

     

         (New Mayor in the Chair)

 

(b)  The Mayor to give thanks for his/her election

Minutes:

Councillor Graham MBE read and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.  Councillor Chandler invested Councillor Graham with the Chain of Office.  

 

Councillor Chandler invested The Honourable Mrs  Graham with the Mayoress Chain of Office.

 

Councillor Graham presented the Past Mayor’s Medal to Councillor Chandler.

 

(The new Mayor, Councillor Graham, in the Chair.)

 

Councillor Graham thanked the Council for his election. 

CO6

VOTE OF THANKS TO RETIRING MAYOR

To receive a vote of thanks for the retiring Mayor

Minutes:

Councillor Orson proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor.  He said she was nothing short of excellent as Mayor and was always present at important times and events and all the Leicestershire and neighbouring districts had appreciated her presence and company and she had presented Melton in a good light.  He referred to Councillor Chandler’s passionate support for rural affairs and on planning matters and that she had put Bottesford well and truly on the map with her Civic Service last October which was so well attended.  She had gained great respect over the 12 months as Mayor and on behalf of all present he thanked Councillor Chandler for her Mayoral year.    

 

Councillor Graham MBE said that it gave him great pleasure to second the vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor and said it was only during Council meetings that one got the flavour of how much Councillor Chandler had done in the Mayoral role, when she would announce in a calm way how often she had represented the Borough all over the County and beyond. He added that she worked tirelessly as the Council’s ambassador and kept up the punishing schedule to the end, which he knew because he was told how much they appreciated her visit to Wymondham School in his ward in the previous week.  He thanked her for the last year that she had selflessly devoted to serving the Borough and his only concern was personal; that she would  be a very hard act to follow.  It gave him great pleasure to second the vote of thanks for Councillor Chandler’s very special and successful year as Mayor.

 

In support of the vote of thanks for the retiring Mayor, Councillor Evans read out a statement from the absent Councillor Holmes as follows :-

 

‘I have had the privilege to accompany the Mayor  this year.  The Mayor has carried out the duty to a superb standard.  Many times she has attended events in the town and wider Borough and has been received with a great deal of pleasure by schools, groups and other organisations.

 

The Mayoral role is very significant in our Borough as it is in many others.  I was aghast when I heard that there would be no secretary for the office of Mayor, I and others (organisations)and the like feel the same, I do hope the Leader and Cabinet will change this as soon as possible, the Mayor is the face of the Borough, let us never forget.  As I have said I have been privileged to attend some of the Mayors’ functions, have met people from all walks of life and in some cases makes one feel very humble.  I would personally like to thank the Mayor for all she has done this year and also some events she attended as Deputy.

 

I would like to wish all new Councillors well and hope they get a feeling of being able to help our community.

 

I have mentioned to our Chief Officer  ...  view the full minutes text for item CO6

CO7

ELECTION OF DEPUTY MAYOR

To elect the Deputy Mayor for the period until the Annual Meeting in 2020

 

Minutes:

Councillor Illingworth proposed Councillor Faulkner be elected Deputy Mayor until the Annual Meeting in 2020.  Councillor Illingworth said he had got to know Councillor Faulkner since he came onto the Council in the last term and had seen him grow into the role and had pleasure in nominating him for Deputy Mayor. 

 

The nomination was seconded by Councillor Higgins who commended Councillor Faulkner’s suitability for Deputy Mayor.  He added that Councillor Faulkner had the achievement of being elected three times to a traditionally Labour seat.  He said he was a great public servant and was passionate about his ward.  He also referred to him being a football referee.   He felt he would be a fine Deputy Mayor as always had a fair and reasoned approach to his Council roles. 

 

On being put to the vote, the motion was unanimously carried.

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Faulkner be elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Melton for the period until the Annual Meeting in 2020.

CO8

INVESTITURE OF DEPUTY MAYOR AND DEPUTY MAYORESS/CONSORT

(a)   To invest the Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress/Consort

 

(b)   The Deputy Mayor to give thanks for his/her election

Minutes:

Councillor Faulkner read and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office. 

 

Councillor Graham then invested Councillor Faulkner with the Deputy Mayor’s Chain of Office and Mrs Elaine Faulkner with the Deputy Mayoress’ Chain of Office

 

Councillor Faulkner thanked the Council for his election.  

CO9

ELECTION OF LEADER

To elect the Leader of the Council for the period until the Annual Meeting in 2020

 

Minutes:

Councillor Pearson proposed that Councillor Orson be appointed Leader of the Council until the Annual Meeting in 2020.  In so doing, Councillor Pearson referred to the different types of leadership and related this to Councillor Orson’s service on the Council and his suitability to lead the Council in taking forward the significant and exciting changes the authority faced.  He stated that a democratic and strategic approach was the best style of leadership to manage the changes needed.  He added that Councillor Orson had the required skills and had demonstrated this over the past 2 years in taking the Council forward, challenging, supporting and spending time with people.  He said Councillor Orson would lead this Council well over the next 12 months and he proposed him for the role. 

 

Councillor Cumbers spoke in support of Councillor Orson as Leader and seconded the motion and said she supported the words of Councillor Pearson and agreed that there were challenging times ahead and with him as Leader the Council would be able to meet those challenges. 

 

On being put to the vote, the motion was unanimously carried. 

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Orson be appointed Leader of the Council for the period until the Annual Meeting in 2020.

CO10

LEADER'S REPORT

To receive the report of the Leader of the Council

Minutes:

The Leader thanked Members for their ongoing support in what was now the end of his second full year as Leader of the Council and his second review of the last year at the Annual Meeting and said

 

(a)   he wanted to spend the majority of his speech looking forward but it would be remiss of him not to acknowledge the considerable achievements of the last year. The Council had secured the Local Plan; an ambitious statement of intent to deliver sustainable growth across communities. In support of this, alongside the County Council, the Council had secured £50m from government for the relief road and was pursuing a further £15m from the Housing Infrastructure Fund to support the southern section. The Council had also been recognised across Leicestershire as a “key centre for growth and regeneration” through the recently adopted Strategic Growth Plan and had submitted an ambitious bid to the Future High Streets Fund to help regenerate the town centre. The Council was starting to see the impact of its growth plans, with a 60% increase in new homes delivered in 2018/19 compared to the previous 12 months. The Council would continue to maintain a strong focus in this area and would continue to support the County Council in working to deliver the bypass. The Council had already began implementing the improvements identified in its Planning Services Review and during the course of the year would bring forward proposals for new structures and resources to ensure it provided the best service possible;

 

(b)   following a significant amount of work over the last year, the Council now had in place a strong Melton Place Board and Place Plan, where a range of business and community stakeholders were working with the Council to promote the town, improve the visitor experience and encourage inward investment. The Council had a clear ‘vision’ and ‘story’ it could  unify behind and he looked forward to seeing how the various sub-groups could deliver improvements and genuinely deliver on the Council’s promise to be the Rural Capital of Food’;

 

(c)    as well as prioritising the delivery of new homes, the Council had also prioritised improving its existing housing stock. Earlier this year the Council had unveiled the £2.5m investment in Beckmill Court.   The Council had also adopted a new Fire Safety Policy and was working closely with TFEC on this and the renewed commitment the Council had made to reach the Decent Homes standard for all its stock. It would take time but the tide had turned and the Council was making some steady improvements. In terms of housing services more generally, further investment would  be required but the Council had started to re-build support for its tenants; including investment in new housing officers and Neighbourhood Support Officers; refocussing on its priority areas. The Council was making a renewed commitment to tackle inequality, and work with schools, colleges and employers to secure the skills required to support higher paying jobs. Increasing aspiration and reducing dependency was a  ...  view the full minutes text for item CO10

CO11

ELECTION OF LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

To elect the Leader of the Opposition for the period until the Annual Meeting in 2020

Minutes:

As Deputy Leader of the Opposition Group, Councillor Evans proposed Councillor Holmes as Leader of the Opposition.  He explained that the Councillors who had been elected as Independent and Green Party candidates had joined together to form a group called the Opposition Group.  They were a free thinking group who would work for the public and be completely independent, not block votes nor have a whip.  He felt it was important for the Council to have critical friends and hopeful that both groups would work together to make a better Council.  He reported that Councillor Holmes would be happy to accept the position.

 

Councillor Hewson seconded the motion.

 

The Leader reported that both he and the Deputy Leader would abstain from the vote and allow the Opposition Group to make their own choice for Leader of the Opposition.

 

On being put to the vote, the motion was carried.

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Holmes be the Leader of the Opposition for the period until the Annual Meeting in 2020.   

CO12

NEW MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

The new Mayor to make any announcements

Minutes:

The Mayor thanked the Council for electing him as Mayor of Melton Borough for the 2019/20 Council Year and said it was a great honour and he was extremely grateful to Councillors Bains and Chandler for their kind words.  He said

 

(a)  when he started writing this speech, he was going to say that it was 26 years ago that he last put on the chain at a Mayormaking ceremony and that was half a lifetime ago however now looking at the youngest Councillor, he had to correct himself and say it was far more than a whole life time ago.  A lot of things had changed in those last 25 years including new Council Offices;

 

(b)  asked that the Council accept that he did not twitter or tweet, nor do facebook, and he was probably unintentionally always being politically incorrect and needed all the help he could get;

 

(c)  it was for these reasons that he realised that there were several Members saying to themselves, ‘why do we have a Mayor,’ and could the Council find something better to spend its limited resources on. It took imagination to move away from this poverty mindset and he questioned  the role of being a Borough Councillor as coming to a meeting, reading reports and making decisions, plus a bit of ward work, and was that all that was involved?  Or were Councillors here to be part of the community, to celebrate and acknowledge the great successes in the Borough, to communicate with neighbours and be ambassadors for the Borough. Acknowledge the great contribution that our armed forces made to our lives especially the connection with the Defence Animal Training Regiment. He said they all lived in the most amazing Borough which was one of the largest in area and smallest in population and to not be embarrassed by the fact but to celebrate it and enjoy life, all would  get far more achieved if this approach was taken;

 

(d)  anyone could look at a balance sheet and say times were tough financially and therefore they must not be seen to be enjoying life.  He urged the Council to look beyond that balance sheet and notice an asset under the heading Officers. It was this valuable asset that the Council must encourage, treasure, nurture and manage;

 

(e)  they were a new Council with a new way of working including new Councillors and even more new members of staff and he wanted all to meet on an informal basis and get to put faces to those who they only knew by e-mail addresses – he had  had an idea for a barbecue or social evening for Members, officers and families where they could meet informally but he wanted to be the facilitator and the event would only be a success if it was supported by both sides. To start the ball rolling he hoped to meet some officers soon to discuss this idea and if any Member had any other thoughts that  ...  view the full minutes text for item CO12

CO13

CABINET APPOINTMENTS AND DELEGATION SCHEME 2019 20 pdf icon PDF 57 KB

The Leader to verbally inform the Council of  Cabinet membership, portfolios and Scheme of Delegation  

 

Register of Members of Cabinet (to follow)

Cabinet Scheme of Delegation (to follow

Minutes:

The Leader tabled a paper setting out his Cabinet appointments together with details of their portfolios and said

 

(a)  he was delighted to announce the formation and membership of Melton Borough Council’s first ever Cabinet. This Cabinet would bring leadership and public accountability as it worked to deliver the agenda set out in his report earlier. The Cabinet would  be a collaborative Cabinet which would work with Members across the Council to develop and deliver a new corporate strategy.  One that responded to the challenges faced by both the Council and the people and communities of Melton;

 

(b)  that Councillor Higgins would continue in his role as Deputy Leader, but now with responsibility for the growth and prosperity portfolio.  Following the significant building blocks put in place; now was the time to deliver the infrastructure, housing and jobs growth Melton required.  Councillor Higgins would also lead on establishing what the long term and sustainable future for Melton’s leisure facilities would be;

 

(c)  Councillor de Burle had always been one of the Council’s more astute and numerate Members and he would bring this considerable capability to bare as he took on the Corporate Finance and Resources portfolio. With a significant emphasis on driving the commercial agenda and plugging the funding gap, Councillor de Burle would also lead on maximising the benefits from the Council’s corporate property portfolio;

 

(d)  having played an important role in the Governance Development Group, Councillor Freer-Jones would take on the Corporate Governance, Access and Engagement portfolio, responsible for the effective running of the Council’s new governance and decision-making processes, as well as ensuring the Council’s services were accessible and the Council actively promoted democracy and engagement with the communities in whatever the Council did;

 

(e)  Councillor Illingworth would bring considerable experience as the previous Planning Committee Chair to the Environment and Regulatory Services portfolio. Bringing together a number of key operational services, Councillor Illingworth would oversee some of the Council’s largest service areas in waste and environment and would ensure the expectations created through the planning services review were delivered;

 

(f)   Councillor Pearson would take on the Housing and Communities portfolio, building on his excellent work as the previous Chair of the People Committee. The Council had  made improvements to  the quality of its housing stock a priority and alongside the investment it had  already made in tenancy management, there was much to be done over the coming year. Councillor Pearson would also lead the prevention and early intervention agenda, as well as chair the Community Safety Partnership;

 

(g)  together, these Councillors  would  form the first Cabinet of Melton Borough Council and they looked forward to working with all Members in the Council in tackling the challenges facing the Borough’s communities. The Portfolios with further details of what each included had been circulated and in the coming days he would be confirming the Executive Scheme of Delegation based on these portfolios which he would then share with all Members.  

CO14

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS AND ELECTION OF CHAIRS AND VICE CHAIRS pdf icon PDF 127 KB

The Director for Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer to submit a report which requests that the Council consider and determine  the allocation of seats on Committees and the Joint Staff Working Group for the period to the Annual Meeting in 2020 in accordance with the political balance rules set out in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, S15-17 (as amended).  The report requests the Council to consider

 

(a)    proposals of the political groups for  membership on each Committee and Working Group for the period to the Annual Meeting in 2020;

 

(b)    proposals for appointments to Committees and the Joint Staff Working Group for the period to the Annual Meeting in 2020;

 

(c)  nominations for the positions of Chairs and Vice Chairs of Committees for the period to the Annual Meeting in 2020;

 

(d)  nominations for the membership of the Joint Staff Working Group for the period to the Annual Meeting in 2020

 

(To follow)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader stated that the report presented set out the proposed membership of committees and the working group including the Chairs and Vice Chairs. It incorporated the allocations for both the Conservative Group and the Opposition Group; following consultation with the Group Leaders. The membership allocations were worked out in accordance with the political balance legislation which meant that the proportion of Councillors across the Council were reflected in each committee and the working group as set out at Appendix A.  Also included were  nominations for the Chairs and Vice Chairs at Appendix B.  He proposed the recommendations 2.1 to 2.5 as set out in the report.

 

Councillor Higgins seconded the motion and referred to the importance of scrutiny in the new governance arrangements and congratulated all appointees to their positions.

 

Councillor Evans stated that he had made a suggestion that at least one of the Chair and Vice Chair roles be allocated to the Opposition Group. 

 

The Leader responded that the Cabinet system was inclusive and he promised to consult with all Members.  He felt it was difficult to put new Councillors in positions of responsibility however the Conservatives had won the election with 22 seats and therefore would take the majority of leading roles on the Council.

 

Councillor Cumbers explained that she had 22 years experience on this Council and he had none and this was an inclusive Council which allowed all Members to be heard and she hoped that the Opposition Group would make a good contribution to scrutiny.  She also felt surprised at the request for a Chair/Vice Chair role by a newly elected Councillor and that positions of authority should be earned. 

 

Councillor Evans raised a point of order that he had served 20 years as a  Borough Councillor at another authority.  Therefore he had received extensive training and worked in a Leader and Cabinet model as the Leader of the Opposition and at that Council he had been fully engaged in the decision-making process and they did an excellent job together.

 

Councillor Cumbers responded that she had not meant he had ‘no experience’ but ‘no experience at this Council’.

 

On being put to the vote, the motion was carried.

 

RESOLVED that

 

(1)  the political balance calculation be approved as set out at paragraph 3.6 of the report as follows :-

 

Group Name

 

No of Cllrs in group

Percentage across

the Council

Allocation of Seats

over 4 Committees

(38 seats)

 

 

 

Decimal

Rounded no

Conservative

22

78.57%

  29.86

30

Opposition

6

21.43%

   8.14

8

Totals

28

100%

38 seats

38 seats

 

(2)  the allocation of committee seats to political groups be approved as set out in paragraph 3.7 of the report;

 

Group Name

 

Audit & Stand-ards

Plann-ing

Scrutiny

Employ-

ment

TOTAL

38

Conservative

8

9

8

5

30

Opposition

2

2

2

2

8

Totals

10

11

10

7

38

 

(3)  the political balance and allocation of seats to the Joint Staff Working Group be approved as set out at paragraph 3.8 of the report as  ...  view the full minutes text for item CO14

CO15

APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES ON COMMUNITIES BODIES pdf icon PDF 111 KB

The Director for Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer to submit a report which asks Members to consider nominations for representatives to serve on community bodies

 

(To follow)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Orson presented a report which included nominations for representatives on community bodies as set out at Appendix A.  He sated that these roles provided important liaison connections with the Council’s partners and the community.  They offered opportunities for engagement and brought value to both parties.  He proposed the nominations listed at Column A of Appendix A for approval. 

 

Councillor Higgins seconded the motion and reserved his right to speak.

 

Councillor Evans proposed an amendment to appoint the representatives listed at Column B of Appendix A and these representatives replace those listed in Column A. 

 

Councillor Carter seconded the amendment.

 

A Member raised a point of order to contest whether this was an amendment, suggesting instead that it was a counter proposal, the Mayor overruled to take the proposal as amendment.

 

Councillor Orson advised that he did not support the amendment and would vote against. 

 

It was mentioned that the Councillor listed at Column B had earned respect with the organisations concerned. 

 

As the Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity, Councillor Higgins stated that tourism was in his brief and he invited any Councillors who were interested in other roles such as supporting the Carnegie Museum to contact him or Leader.  However as a Conservative, he supported the nominations at Column A.

 

On the amendment being put to the vote, the amendment was lost.

 

On the original motion being put to the vote, the motion was carried.

 

RESOLVED that representatives to serve on the community bodies listed in Column A at Appendix A be appointed as follows :-

 

 ORGANISATION                                                                                                                         

NO

Cllrs

Column A :

Conservative Group

Nominations 2019 20

 

East Midlands Councils Representative

1

Leader

Fairtrade Steering Group

1

P. Cumbers

Friends Of Carnegie Museum

1

L. Higgins

Grantham Canal Partnership

1

P. Chandler

Homestart Management Committee

1

A. Pearson

Lga – General Assembly

1

Leader

Leicestershire & Rutland Heritage Forum

1

L. Higgins

Leicestershire And Rutland Playing Fields Association

1

A. Pearson

Melton Business Improvement District (Bid)

1

L. Higgins

Melton & Oakham Waterways Local Authority Working Group

1

P. Cumbers

Melton & District Furniture Project

1

P. Cumbers

Melton Safer Communities

1

 

A. Pearson

Melton Young Singles Trust  (Myst)

1

A. Pearson

Members’ Advisory Group

1

L. Higgins

Police And Crime Panel

1

J. Orson

Rural Services Network & Sparse

1

L. Higgins

Sir John Sedley Educational Foundation

1

M.C.R. Graham MBE

Seniors’ Forum

4

P. Chandler

P. Cumbers

R. de Burle

A. Pearson

*In the event that the Leader or the allocated Chair is unable to attend, the Deputy Leader or the relevant Porfolio Holder be appointed as their substitute

 

(Councillor Child left the meeting and returned to the meeting during consideration of the preceding item.)

 

CO16

CALENDAR OF MEETINGS 2019 20 pdf icon PDF 105 KB

The Director for Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer to submit a report on a proposed Calendar of Meetings for 2019 20

 

(To follow)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Calendar of Meetings for 2019 20 had been previously circulated as Appendix A and was proposed for approval by Councillor Orson.  He explained that it included the Council’s decision-making meetings and ensured that statutory, financial and policy deadlines were met.  To ensure good attendance at meetings, bank and schools holidays were taken into account and meetings were spread across the year, mainly over 5 cycles.  The public were welcome to attend all of these meetings and agendas are sent out 5 clear working days before the meeting.  The previous Governance Committee and all Members had had an opportunity to contribute to the timetable and he proposed the calendar for approval.

 

Councillor Higgins seconded the motion.

 

On being put to the vote, the motion was unanimously carried.

 

RESOLVED that the Calendar of Meetings for 2019 20 be approved as set out at Appendix A.

CO17

CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW pdf icon PDF 101 KB

The Director for Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer to submit a report on constitutional updates

 

(To follow)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Orson presented the report which included the final document for inclusion in the Council’s new Constitution.  It formalised the arrangements for the Joint Staff Working Group and ensured its procedures were aligned with the new arrangements.  He added that following approval of this item, the complete Constitution would be made available online and to Members.  He commended the final document to the Council for approval.

 

Councillor Higgins seconded the motion.

 

On being put to the vote, the motion was unanimously carried.

 

RESOLVED that the Joint Staff Working Group Functions and Procedure Rules as set at Appendix A be approved.

 

A to Z of Council Services