Agenda and minutes

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 15,2 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules. (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded)

(*In accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting.)

There were no appeals against refusal of inspection of documents.

There were no resolutions to exclude the public.

There were no late items submitted to the agenda for consideration.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct. 

There were no declarations of interest.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Dawson (Councillor Dowson attended as substitute), Gabriel and G Latty.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th June 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 28^th June 2016 were approved as a correct record.

Further to minute 7 (Local Authority Appointments to Outside Bodies);

·  members sought clarification on the role of this Committee in allocating available places to political groups on the Council and officers set out the process for this.

·  Councillor Lamb expressed an interest in one of the Conservative Members(Councillor Stephenson) sitting on an Adoption Panel, Members noted that there were currently 4 places available , 2 Labour, 1 Conservative and 1 Liberal Democrat it was also noted that 3 of the positions were currently unfilled and it was agreed that a Labour place be reallocated to the Conservative Group.

·  Officers updated Members in respect of a query in relation to Membership of the Canal and River Trust, Members noted that  nationally there were 2 members representing local authorities and these were nominated in consultation with the LGA and SOLACE and the Trusts Constitution did not allow for additional representation. It was also noted that at a more local level appointments to the local Partnerships were made by the Partnerships Chair who worked closely with the Waterway Manager and that recruitment to the Partnership was advertised on their website.

To consider the report of the City Solicitor seeking approval of Member Management Committee for Members’ safeguarding training in future to be linked with the joint annual safeguarding week’s initiative. 

Further to minute 18 of the meeting held on the 15^th September 2015 the City Solicitor submitted a report seeking the approval of Member Management Committee for Member’s safeguarding training in future to be linked with the joint annual safeguarding week initiative.

A brief discussion followed where members were provided with;

·  The background to the matter

·  The main issues including the proposed training week/safeguarding training 2016/17/other training offers.

Members were supportive of the recommendations but asked that thought be given to the location of the training and providing group briefings for those groups who require it.

RESOLVED -  

(a)  That the proposal for Members safeguarding training to be linked with the joint West Yorkshire initiative be endorsed.

(b)  That the member development officer work with all group whips to ensure that Members attend at least one session of the safeguarding training during the week.

(c)  That officers review the success of the week and to report back to a future meeting of this Committee.

(d)  That briefings be put in place for political groups.

Member’s Lounge - Members had a brief discussion on a recent request from an Executive Member on behalf of a group to use the Members Lounge facility.

Members asked that a report be brought back to this Committee which explores options for the use of the room, Members were keen that a child friendly facility was available and consideration should be given to this when looking at options which should include the potential for the introduction of a draft policy or guidelines that sets out in what circumstances the room can be used by non-Councillors. 

The next meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 21^st February 2017.

The next meeting is fixed for Tuesday 21^st February 2017 at 2.30pm.