Agenda and minutes

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.

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 resolutions to exclude the public.

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) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

No declarations of interest were made either under this item or at any stage during the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence from the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor A Carter.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th October 2009.

RESOLVED –

Member’s resolved that the minutes of the General purposes Committee meeting held on 20^th October 2009 be approved as a correct record.

Further to Minute 33 Counillor Gruen asked whether the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) had publicised the new executive arrangements and whether there had been any response. It was confirmed to the Committee that the new executive arrangements had been published, as yet there has been no response.

Further with regards to Minute 33 Councillor Gruen requested an update on the progress made with writing to the Secretary of State to convey Members’ concerns that under the new arrangements, full Council will not lawfully be able to preclude the Leader from carrying out executive functions him/herself, nor from delegating them to an individual Executive Member. The Committee was informed that a letter had been sent to the Secretary of State but as yet no response had been received.

To receive a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods and the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) recommending an amendment to the Area Committee Procedure Rules concerning the appointment of Chairs to ward based community forums.

The Head of Governance Services presented a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods and the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance). The report asked the Committee to make recommendations to full Council about an amendment to the Area Committee Procedure Rules concerning the appointment of Chair’s to Ward Based Community Forums. Members particularly discussed:

• the importance of ward members determining these matters and the need for some sort of proportionality within the wards; and
• the need for further clarity with the emphasis placed on political balance.

RESOLVED – Members of the General Purposes Committee resolved to:

(a)  request that the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance)  amend the proposals in line with discussions at the meeting and circulate the same  to the 5 leaders for comment ; and,

(b)  recommend to full Council the final amendment to Rule 7 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules as referred to in (a) above, including provisions for resolving potential disputes via the Member Management Committee, ( the amendment to be effective from May 2010).

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) proposing that the appointments to Outside Bodies Procedure Rules be amended in order that it would be a requirement that all group whips or their nominee agree an appointment prior to the use of the delegated authority.

The Head of Governance Services presented a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) asking the Committee to make recommendations to full Council about changes to the Appointments to Outside Bodies Procedure Rules. The changes would make it a requirement that only group whips or their nominee would be consulted prior to the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) utilising her delegated authority to appoint a member to an outside body where a body requires an appointment prior to the next meeting of the Member Management Committee.

Members agreed with the amendments being proposed.

RESOLVED – Members of the General Purposes Committee resolved to recommend to full Council the proposed amendment to Rule 4.6(iii) of the Appointments to Outside Procedure Rules as set out in appendix 2 to this report.

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) requesting the Committee to recommend an amendment to the Officer Delegation Scheme (Council (non-executive) Functions) to create a delegation of Council function to the Chief Economic Development Officer with regard to the licensing of market and street trading.

The Head of Governance Services  presented a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) asking the Committee to make recommendations to full Council about amendments to the Officer Delegation Scheme (Council (non-executive) Functions) and consequential amendments.  This would create a delegation of Council function to the Chief Economic Development Officer with regard to the licensing of market and street trading Members particularly discussed:

• the reasons behind the use of concurrent delegations; and
• that the concurrent delegation being discussed will complete the concurrent powers for the City Development Directorate.

RESOLVED – Members resolved to;

(a)  note the amendments made to the Constitution by the Leader of the Council and the consequential amendments to the constitution to be made by the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance); and

(b)  recommend to full Council the amendment of the Officer Delegation Scheme (Council (non-executive) Functions) to provide for the concurrent delegation of licensing of markets and street trading functions to the Chief Economic Development Officer.

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) notifying and inviting comment form the Committee upon the work programme for the remainder of the 2009/10 municipal year.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) submitted a report notifying Members of the draft work programme for 2009/10.

Members discussed the items on the work programme and specifically noted the scheduling of the Community Governance Review item and the Managing Work Force Change items.

RESOLVED - Members resolved to:

(a)  agree that the draft work programme for the remainder of the municipal year be noted; and

(b)  request an update with regards to the Managing work Force Change item specifically;

(i)  when it will be scheduled; and

(ii)  what will be contained within it.