Agenda and minutes

Due to the resignation from the Council of the sitting Chair a new Chair was required to be elected by the Committee. Councillor G Latty was nominated and seconded for the position of Chair and was un-opposed.

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

  RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:-

There were no appeals against refusal of inspection of documents.

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 25 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 25, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Chief Democratic Services Officer at least 24 hours before the meeting)

There were no appeals against refusal of inspection of documents.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

There were no late items added to the agenda.

To declare any personal / prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) if the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct.

No declarations of interest were declared.

To receive any apologies for absence.

No apologies for absence were received.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 14^th April 2010.

RESOLVED – The minutes of the Corporate Governance and Audit Committee meeting held on 14^th April 2010 be approved as a correct record.

To receive a report of the Chief Planning Officer informing the Committee of the arrangements that are in place to underpin the decision making process within the remit of the Chief Planning Officer these being planning decisions taken by officers under delegated authority and planning decisions taken by the Plans Panel.

The Chief Planning Officer presented his report which outlined the arrangements that are in place to underpin the decision making process within the remit of the Chief Planning Officer., these being planning decisions taken by officers under delegated authority. The report also assured the Committee that the operation of the processes in place are accountable, transparent, have integrity and are inclusive.

Members congratulated the Chief Planning Officer on the improving picture in relation to planning decisions. Members discussed the small percentage of planning decisions which get to the Plans Panel. Also discussed was the method for requesting a planning decision to be taken to Plans Panel and the rules that surround this.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to:

(a)  request further information about the  comparator percentages of  decisions taken by officers under delegated authority at other authorities be provided to members;

(b)  receive  a similar report on planning decision making on an annual basis; and

(c)  note the report.

Councillor Grahame entered the meeting during the discussion of this item at 10.20 am.

To receive a report of the Director of Resources updating the Committee on the Council’s Risk Management developments over 2009-10 focusing on the period following the six-monthly report in November 2009.

The Principal Risk Management Officer presented a report of the Director of Resources which provided an overview of the Council’s key risk management developments over 2009/10 focusing on the period following the six monthly report in November 2009. The report also provided assurance on the strength of risk management arrangements.

Members discussed the report in detail particularly the known risks the Council has and the further work that is being done by the Risk Management Unit to ensure exposure to these is minimised. Members noted that the Executive Board is due to consider, as part of the Annual Report on Risk Management proposals  by the Committee for the publication of the risk register. 

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to:

(a)  note the report and the progress made on embedding risk management across the Council; and

(b)  continue to review and challenge the Council’s risk management arrangements and attend risk management training sessions and briefings provided by the Risk Management Unit.

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning Policy and Improvement) providing an update on progress in establishing two new Boards and the functions that they will be undertaking. These Boards form part of the Leeds City Region (LCR) and its emerging sub-structures.

The report also sets out the extent to which they have taken account of the governance themes contained within the Leeds Partnership Governance Framework.

The Head of Regional Policy (Acting) presented a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) which updated the Committee on progress made in establishing the Leeds City Region Employment and Skills Board and the Leeds City Region Homes and Communities Agency Board. The report also informed the Committee of the extent to which these Boards have taken account of the governance themes contained within the Governance Framework for Significant Partnerships.

Members raised concerns as to the limited extent to which local elected councillors could contribute to  the work of the Leeds City Region. Consideration was given to the potential of elected Members from across the Leeds City Region being given the opportunity to contribute to the work programme other than just Leaders and portfolio holders as is currently the case.

Members also  expressed a desire for further work to be undertaken to improve the transparency of the governance arrangements of the various Leeds City Region structures; particularly those relating to the Leeds City Region Employment and Skills Board and the Leeds City Region Homes and Communities Agency Board. .

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to:

(a)  note the progress on establishing decision making arrangements, being developed at the Leeds City Region level, for skills and housing and that a further report was due to be brought addressing the infrastructure required within the Council  regarding Members role in shaping the Leeds perspective regarding  matters to be considered at City region level ;

(b)  request six monthly reports on the governance arrangements of the Leeds City Region; and

(c)  request that the Committee’s concerns be brought to the attention of the Council’s appointed nominee to the Leeds City Region Leaders Board.

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) notifying and inviting comment from the Committee upon the work programme for the 2010/11 municipal year.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) submitted a report notifying Members of the draft work programme for the 2010/11 municipal year.

Members of the Committee expressed their thanks to Mr Mike Wilkinson for his valued contributions to the Committee as this was his last Committee meeting.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to note the draft work programme.