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 Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting)

There were no appeals against the 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 submitted 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.

Councillor G Latty declared an interest in agenda item 8 Community Governance Review to consult on proposals to create a new parish of Rawdon, as he had helped raise the petition in support of  Rawdon becoming a Parish Council. (minute 8 refers)

To receive any apologies for absence from the meeting.

Apologies were received from Councillor Finnigan.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 9th May 2012.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the General Purposes Committee meeting held on Wednesday 9^th May 2012 be approved as a correct record.  

To receive a report of the Head of Licensing and Registration considering the terms of reference, timetable and process for a Community Governance Review following the receipt of a request from Scarcroft Parish Council to increase the size of the Parish Council from 7 to 9 Councillors.

The Committee received a report of the Head of Licensing and Registration outlining a request which had been received from Scarcroft Parish Council asking the Council to consider a Community Governance Review to increase the number of parish councillors from 7 to 9.

RESOLVED – Members of the General Purposes Committee resolved to approve the process and timetable for the Community Governance Review as detailed in the report.

To receive a report of the Head of Licensing and Registration considering the terms of reference, timetable and process for a Community Governance Review following the receipt of a petition from electors in polling districts from the Horsforth, Guiseley & Rawdon and Otley & Yeadon wards to establish a new parish for Rawdon.

The Committee considered a report of the Head of Licensing and Registration seeking approval for a Community Governance Review to be undertaken following the receipt of a valid petition (seeking the establishment of a Parish Council for (Rawdon) from electors in polling districts from  Horsforth, Guiseley & Rawdon and  Otley & Yeadon wards.

Following questions from the committee the Head of Licensing and Registration confirmed that the Community Governance Review will specifically consider the electoral area for the potential Parish and issues relating to precepts.

RESOLVED - The General Purposes Committee resolved to approve the process and timetable for the Community Governance Review outlined in the report

Councillors Rafique, Gruen and Blackburn entered the meeting at 2.05pm.  Councillor Mulherin left the meeting at the conclusion of this item[1]. 

To receive a report of the City Solicitor requesting the Committee to recommend full Council to formally agree to the establishment of the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel as a joint committee of the five West Yorkshire Authorities.

The City Solicitor presented her report which advised Members about establishing a Police and Crime Panel as a joint committee with other West Yorkshire authorities, to scrutinise an elected Police and Crime Commissioner from November 2012.

RESOLVED – Members of the General Purposes Committee resolved to:

(a)  note the Council’s statutory obligation to establish, and agree arrangements for the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel;

and recommend that full Council;

(b)  approve the establishment of a joint committee with four other West Yorkshire councils, as detailed in the report;

(c)  delegate authority to the City Solicitor to enter into an agreement to formalise the panel arrangements set out in the report; and

(d)  appoint Councillors Lowe, Iqbal, and J. L. Carter as the council’s representatives on the Panel.

To receive a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbours and Director of City Development considering the proposed changes to the Officer Delegation Scheme (Council (non executive) functions) in respect of the Director of Environment and Neighbours and Director of City Development and to recommend to full Council that the proposals are adopted.

The Committee considered a report  of the Director of City Development and the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which outlined the proposed changes to the Officer Delegation Scheme (Council (non executive) functions) in respect of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods and Director of City Development.

RESOLVED – Members of the General Purposes Committee resolved to recommend that full Council adopt the changes.

To receive a report of the City Solicitor presenting the Committee with the recommendation of a Member Panel in relation to the appointment of an Independent Person.

The Committee considered a report of the City Solicitor in relation to the appointment of an Independent Person.

Members gave their support for the appointment of Gordon Tollefson as the Independent Person.

RESOLVED – Members of the General Purposes Committee resolved to

recommend that full Council appoint Mr Gordon Tollefson  for a period of up to one year under the transitional arrangements contained in Article 7 of the Commencement Order.