Issue - meetings

The Audit and Governance Committee is responsible for maintaining an overview of the Council’s Constitution and governance arrangements.

The use of a Working Group since 2020 has proved to be effective in undertaking an agile approach to reviewing provisions of the constitution and considering matters raised by councillors. The committee is therefore asked to confirm the continuation of the Working Group, consider potential revisions to the terms of reference and approve the membership.

The Head of Democratic Services presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'J' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Constitution Review Working Group had been in place since 2020 and had proved an effective way of discharging the Committee’s responsible for maintaining an overview of the Council’s Constitution and governance arrangements through initial review of the Constitution, consideration of matters raised by Councillors and making recommendations to Audit and Governance Committee and to Council.

The Working Group has previously focused on the content, interpretation and operational implementation of the Constitution although the Constitution also defined how the Council decision-making operates including though regulatory committees, overview and scrutiny functions and executive arrangements. The Committee was advised that it would therefore be appropriate for the Working Group to consider requests and make recommendations for changes to these matters and the overall governance model of the Council.

The Working Group would meet as required to consider changes to the Constitution and continue the successful process of consulting where necessary with internal stakeholders including the wider Council membership and specific stakeholder Members and Officers and recommending changes to the Audit and Governance Committee. The Working Group may also consider evidence and best practice from other local authorities.

RESOLVED that

(a)     the Constitution Review Working Group be established with the remit as described and comprising five Councillors, including the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee plus three other Councillors;

(b)    in addition to the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee, Councillors Beesley, Castle and Phipps be appointed to the Working Group and that meetings take place using the virtual meeting format;

(c)     initially the Working Group meet as necessary in order to be in a position to report to the next meeting of the Committee in September.

  Voting: Unanimous