To consider the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.
Minutes:
The Committee considered the report regarding proposed changes to the
Constitution.
Section 7 – Scrutiny Committees
The Committee noted that the removal of the Co-ordinating Committee had been supported by the Chairs of Scrutiny, the Cabinet and the Executive Management Team and would be replaced by ad-hoc meetings of the Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees.
In response to comments that financial scrutiny was not embedded in scrutiny committees the Head of Legal and Democratic Services advised that a training programme on this was being developed. He also advised that requests for scrutiny should be forwarded to scrutiny chairs and agreed to highlight this in the report to Council if the Committee was minded to approve the proposed changes. Comment was made that one scrutiny chair wished to establish an ongoing working group but it was noted that this was not allowed under the Constitution and the member considered that this should be reviewed. The Head of Legal and Democratic Services advised that in accordance with Welsh Government guidance working groups should be time limited or task and finish groups. He advised he would discuss this issue with the scrutiny chair.
The Head of Legal and Democratic Services in response to questions advised that the quorum for Council meetings is set under the Local Government Act 1972. He agreed to review sections 7.23.2 and 7.26.1 in respect of the time limits referred to in each and make any minor changes if the Committee is content with this.
It was moved and duly seconded to change Section 7 – Scrutiny Committees as detailed in the report.
Recommendation to the County Council: |
Reason for recommendation |
1. That the amendments to Section 7 of the Constitution (Scrutiny Committees) are approved as set out in the draft Section 7 in Appendix A of the report. 2. That the Monitoring Officer is authorised to make such other changes to the Constitution as may be required to reflect the change set out in recommendation 1 above. |
To review and amend the Constitution so that it aligns with the current requirements of the Council. |
Section 9 – Regulatory Committees
The Committee noted that a national easy guide to constitutions was due for publication in the autumn. It was moved and duly seconded to change Section 9 – Regulatory Committees as detailed in the report.
Recommendation to the County Council: |
Reason for Recommendation: |
3. That the amendments to Section 9 of the Constitution (Regulatory Committees) are approved as set out in the draft Section 9 in Appendix B of the report. 4. That the Monitoring Officer is authorised to make such changes to the Constitution as may be required to reflect the change set out in Recommendation 3 above. |
To review and amend the Constitution so that it aligns with the current requirements of the Council. |
Section 2 – Purpose, Definition, Interpretation and Amendment to the Constitution
It was moved and duly seconded to change Section 2 – Purpose, Definition, Interpretation and Amendment to the Constitution as detailed in the report.
Recommendation to the County Council: |
Reason for Recommendation: |
5. That the amendments to Section 2 of the Constitution (Purpose, Definition, Interpretation) are approved as set out in the draft Section 2 in Appendix C of the report. 6. That the Monitoring Officer is authorised to make such changes to the Constitution as may be required to reflect the changes set out in Recommendation 5 above. |
To review and amend the Constitution so that it aligns with the current requirements of the Council. |
Supporting documents: