To consider the recommendations of the Democratic Services Committee.
Minutes:
Council considered the recommendations of the Democratic Services Committee on changes to the scrutiny committee structure, moved by the Chair of the Committee, County Councillor Matthew Dorrance and seconded by County Councillor James Gibson-Watt.
County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan moved an amendment, seconded by County Councillor Beverley Baynham.
i. TheCouncil shouldhave 3scrutiny committeesas set outbelow:
· Audit Committee (toinclude MakingIt Happen);
· Learning Skills and EconomyScrutiny Committee;
· Health Care and HousingScrutiny Committee;
In additionthere willbe aPublic ServiceBoard ScrutinyCommittee which has beenestablished underseparate arrangements,comprising Membersand representatives fromother organisations.
ii. Thefunctions ofeach scrutinycommittee shallbe as setout inAttachment A to theresolution andthat Rule7.4 ofthe Constitutionis herebyamended accordingly.
iii. TheSolicitor tothe Councilis requiredto consider whetherconsequential amendments arerequired toother partsof theConstitution, andif soto arrange for theamendments tobe discussedat Democratic Services Committeeand approvedat FullCouncil.
iv. Thescrutiny structureset out in(i) above bereviewed after12 months toensure thatthe structureis fitfor purpose
The Solicitor to the Council advised that he did not anticipate that the scrutiny structure proposed in the amendment would cause an overspend in the members budget.
Council voted on the amendment and passed it by 41 votes to 20 with 3 abstentions. Council then voted on the substantive motion and by 40 votes to 20 with 3 abstentions
RESOLVED
i. TheCouncil shouldhave 3scrutiny committeesas set outbelow:
· AuditCommittee (toinclude MakingIt Happen);
· LearningSkills and EconomyScrutiny Committee;
· HealthCare and HousingScrutiny Committee;
a. Inaddition therewill bea PublicService BoardScrutiny Committeewhich has been establishedunder separatearrangements, comprisingMembers and representativesfrom otherorganisations.
ii. Thefunctions ofeach scrutinycommittee shallbe as setout inAttachment A to theresolution andthat Rule7.4 ofthe Constitutionis herebyamended accordingly.
iii. TheSolicitor tothe Councilis requiredto consider whetherconsequential amendments arerequired toother partsof theConstitution, andif soto arrange for theamendments tobe discussedat Democratic Services Committeeand approvedat FullCouncil.
iv. Thescrutiny structureset out in(i) above bereviewed after12 months toensure thatthe structureis fitfor purpose
v. Thatthe roleof theFinance ScrutinyPanel bereviewed withexternal assistance todetermine away forward.
vi. Thatas ageneral principleall matterswould beconsidered ata fullmeeting of a ScrutinyCommittee withoccasional timelimited task andfinish workinggroup, for specific purposes
vii. Thatthe ScrutinyCommittees (excludingthe PSBScrutiny Committee)should comprise 21County Councillors,together withstatutory co-optedMembers where required(i.e. Learningand Skills,Economy, Residents and Community, andAudit Committeeswill havestatutory co-optees).
viii. Thatin acceptingnominations formembership ofa scrutinycommittee, Members committo attendingat least60% ofthe meetingsarranged for their scrutinycommittee.
ix. Thatmeetings ofthe ScrutinyCommittees (excludingthe PSBScrutiny Committee) beheld atleast monthly(Except forAugust andDecember)
x. Thatthe roleof theJoint Chairsand Vice-ChairsSteering Group bereviewed once thescrutiny committeestructure hadbeen agreed.
xi. Thatscrutiny meetingsshould generally be held in public unless confidential matters were being discussed.
xii. That the Councilshould investigatethe possibilityof webcastingscrutiny committee meetingsin future.
Council adjourned from 11.20 – 12.23 for photographs and to appoint members to committees.
Supporting documents: