Issue - meetings

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that: -

(a)           in relation to Issue 1 (Planning Committee Structure and Arrangements) the proposed amendments to Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7, as set out in Appendix 1 to this report, be approved with an implementation date of 7 May 2024;

(b)           in relation to Issue 2 (Establishment of Transportation Advisory Group) the proposed amendments to Parts 2, 3 and 4 as set out in Appendix 2 to this report, be approved with an implementation date of 7 May 2024;

(c)           any necessary and consequential technical and formatting related updates and revisions to the Constitution be made by the Monitoring Officer in accordance with the powers delegated.

The Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee. Councillor Marcus Andrews presented the report on the Review of the Council’s Constitution – Recommendation of the Constitution Review Working Group and outlined the recommendations as set out on the agenda.

Comprehensive discussion took place primarily around the formation of the two Planning Committees and the requirements of political balance.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)           in relation to Issue 1 (Planning Committee Structure and Arrangements) the proposed amendments to Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7, as set out in Appendix 1 to this report, be approved with an implementation date of 7 May 2024;

(b)          in relation to Issue 2 (Establishment of Transportation Advisory Group) the proposed amendments to Parts 2, 3 and 4 as set out in Appendix 2 to this report, be approved with an implementation date of 7 May 2024;

(c)          any necessary and consequential technical and formatting related updates and revisions to the Constitution be made by the Monitoring Officer in accordance with the powers delegated.

Voting: (a) 42:8 (5 abstentions); (b) 48:4 (3 abstentions) and (c) Nem.Con (1 Abstention)

Councillors John Challinor and May Haines left the meeting at 23:04

The report summarises the issues considered by the Constitution Review Working Group and sets out a series of recommendations arising from the Working Group for consideration by the Committee including proposed establishment of area-based planning committees and a transportation advisory group.

Any recommendations arising from the Committee shall be referred to full Council for adoption.

The Chair of the Constitution Review Working Group presented a report by Head of Democratic Services and Interim Monitoring Officer which summarised the issues considered by the Working Group and set out a series of recommendations for consideration by the Committee including proposed establishment of area-based planning committees and a transportation advisory group (‘TAG’).

The report had been circulated to each Member and a copy appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book and any recommendations arising from the Committee would be referred to full Council for adoption with a target for implementation of May 2024.

The implications of the proposed changes to the Constitution were shown in ‘track changes’ format in the appendices to the report. The implications of the changes in terms of finance and resourcing were also set out. It was also explained that issues of ‘Special Responsibility Allowances’ (‘SRAs’) for Councillors would be addressed, when appropriate, by the Council’s Independent Review Panel for allowances.

The report set out for consideration a series of principles for establishment of the new area-based planning committees and set out the range of options considered by the Working Group. The methodology for determining the proposed geographical boundary of each area committee based on historical workload data was explained and the objective was to achieve a fair distribution in terms of workload between the two Committees. The suggested distribution of Councillors’ wards between the two was also set out together with proposed arrangements for cross-boundary applications, the effect in terms of Political balance and other proposals for mitigation of risk. Attending the meeting virtually, the Chair of the current Planning Committee indicated that she supported the proposal. The Committee was also advised that the proposed model was supported by Planning Officers and arrangements were being made to align staffing systems with the two-committee approach.

The proposals from the Working Group for establishment of a Transportation Advisory Group (‘TAG’) were also set out.

Members of the Committee endorsed the proposals for mandatory training and also supported the suggestion that a compulsory training approach should be extended to the Licensing Committee and to the Appeals Committee.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that

(a)     in relation to Issue 1 (Planning Committee Structure and Arrangements) the proposed amendments to Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7, as set out in Appendix 1 to this report, be approved with an implementation date of 7 May 2024;

Voting: For – 7; Against 0; Abstain - 1

(b)    in relation to Issue 2 (Establishment of Transportation Advisory Group) the proposed amendments to Parts 2, 3 and 4 as set out in Appendix 2 to this report, be approved with an implementation date of 7 May 2024;

Voting: For 7; Against 1; Abstain 0

(c)     any necessary and consequential technical and formatting related updates and revisions to the Constitution be made by the Monitoring Officer in accordance with the powers delegated.

Voting: Unanimous