Issue - meetings

For the Committee to receive a planned timetable for the Review.

Reporting Person – Joanne McIntosh

Joanne McIntosh, Director of Legal and Democratic Services, informed the Committee of the plan to rewrite the Constitution.  Joanne noted that the Constitution had been regularly updated since it had first been adopted.  However, a fundamental review of the Constitution was now the best course of action as it needed streamlining and modernising.  The review would seek to make the Constitution easier to read, with flow charts to be developed to explain complex processes. 

The Committee discussed the proposed timetable and recommended that, in light of the delays resulting from the passing of the Queen, the timings set out in the report should be extended, with the Members seeking to ensure that there was sufficient time to consult on every part of the Constitution.  It was noted that a new Constitution could be adopted at any time during the year, outside of the Election period. 

In response to questions raised, Joanne confirmed that the Constitution would continue to be kept under constant review and that, as part of the Annual Corporate Governance Statement, a yearly update would be provided to the Standards and Audit Committee. 

The Chairman reaffirmed the Committee’s view that there should be sufficient time during the writing of a new Constitution to allow plenty of Member involvement. 

RESOLVED 

That the report be noted. 

For the Committee to receive a planned timetable for the Review.

Reporting Person – Joanne McIntosh