Issue - meetings

The following recommendations of the former Standards and Audit Committee were agreed:

(i)      the clause on Responsibility for Standards and Audit Committee (Appendix 1 to the report) under Section 1 of Part 3, and Article 10 – Standards and Audit Committee (Appendix 2 to the report) under Section 1 of Part 2, in the Council’s Constitution be amended as set out within the report;

(ii)     the authority delegated to the Monitoring Officer to make minor amendments to the Constitution be noted, including amendments to references within the document and section numbering;

(iii)    Monitoring Officer be instructed to make the agreed changes to the Constitution; and

(iv)    the Local Government Association be lobbied to provide an off the shelf version of a local authority Constitution that could be adapted by individual councils.

Claire Storey remained outside of the Council Chamber during the determination of this item, following her earlier declaration of interest in the item.  Accordingly the Leader of the Council, Councillor Ann-Marie Barker, introduced the recommendations which proposed amendments to the Council’s Constitution to enable the appointment of a second Independent Co-Opted Member.  The recommendations were agreed nem con.

RESOLVED

That  (i)    the clause on Responsibility for Standards and Audit Committee (Appendix 1 to the report) under Section 1 of Part 3, and Article 10 – Standards and Audit Committee (Appendix 2 to the report) under Section 1 of Part 2, in the Council’s Constitution be amended as set out within the report;

          (ii)   the authority delegated to the Monitoring Officer to make minor amendments to the Constitution be noted, including amendments to references within the document and section numbering;

          (iii) Monitoring Officer be instructed to make the agreed changes to the Constitution; and

          (iv) the Local Government Association be lobbied to provide an off the shelf version of a local authority Constitution that could be adapted by individual councils.

Reporting Person – Gareth John

(NOTE:  As the Chairman had declared an interest under the Code of Conduct and had withdrawn from the Chamber, the item was chaired by the Vice-Chairman for the meeting, Councillor Brown.)

The Committee received the third report which proposed amendments to the Council’s Constitution by increasing the maximum number of Independent Co-opted Members who could be appointed to the Standards and Audit Committee from one to two, so that the Council would have greater flexibility to benefit from professionals’ experience, which was supported by the Commissioners.  The recommendation included a request from the Corporate Governance Working Group to lobby the Local Government Association to provide an off the shelf version of a Council Constitution which could be adapted as required.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

That  (i)      the clause on Responsibility for Standards and Audit Committee (Appendix 1 to the report) under Section 1 of Part 3, and Article 10 – Standards and Audit Committee (Appendix 2 to the report) under Section 1 of Part 2, in the Council’s Constitution be amended as set out within the report;

          (ii)     the authority delegated to the Monitoring Officer to make minor amendments to the Constitution be noted, including amendments to references within the document and section numbering;

          (iii)    the Monitoring Officer be instructed to make the agreed changes to the Constitution; and

          (iv)    the Local Government Association be lobbied to provide an off the shelf version of a local authority Constitution that could be adapted by individual councils.