Agenda and minutes

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

A declaration of interest made during the meeting is referred to in minute 17 (Councillor J Procter)

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 31^st May 2007

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 31^st May 2007 be approved as a correct record.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report seeking to formalise the appointment of the political representatives to the Affordable Housing Strategic Partnership Board (AHSPB)

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report seeking to formalise the appointment of Councillors to the Affordable Housing Strategic Partnership Board.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That Member Management Committee be the appointing body for the Affordable Housing Strategic Partnership Board.

(b)  That the appointment of Councillors Andrew Carter, Richard Lewis and Judith Chapman be confirmed.

To consider the report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer in relation to compulsory training for plans and licensing panel members

The Chief Democratic Services Officer submitted a report to clarify those training elements which are compulsory and, by outlining the general content and form of this training to reassure members that the training is relevant.

The report also set out arrangements for the management of non attendance of compulsory training and updated members on the current situation with regards attendance and bookings for compulsory training for Plans and Licensing Panel Members.

Endorsement from the Member Management Committee for officers to amend inconsistencies in the current wording within the Constitution around Regulatory Panel training and present a report for approval to the Standards Committee was also sought.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the current list of compulsory training and its content be noted.

(b)  That current attendance and booking figures for compulsory training modules be noted.

(c)  To endorse the revised wording shown in Appendix 1 for inclusion in the Code of Practice for Members Responsible for Determining Planning Applications and the Code of Practice for Determining Licensing Matters and request officers to make appropriate recommendations to the Standards Committee.

(d)  To reaffirm that officers provide monthly updates to group whips on the number of courses arranged and member attendance details.

(Councillor Procter arrived at 4.20 pm)

To consider the report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer presenting Members with an update on ICT issues including a summary of the Members ICT Upgrade Project and future changes to support arrangements as well as a status report on the provision of PDAs to Members.

The Chief Democratic Services Officer submitted a report presenting members with an update on ICT issues including a summary of the Members ICT Upgrade Project and future changes to support arrangements as well as a status report on the provisions of PDAs to members.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That Members’ PDA’s should only be enabled for trips abroad that have been authorised.

(b)  That any issues Members may have in relation to ICT provision be collated in order that a further report can be submitted to a future meeting .

(Councillor A Blackburn arrived at 4.35 pm during discussion of the report on member ICT development)

To consider the report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer providing Members with an update on Member learning and development projects and initiatives.

The Chief Democratic Services Officer submitted a report providing Member Management Committee with an update on the following member learning and development projects and initiatives:

• Members IT Upgrade – training aspects
• Seminar programme for 2007-08
• Personal Development Planning

RESOLVED –

(a)  To note the information provided on the IT Upgrade training for members

(b)  To note the member development programme for 2007-08

(c)  To note the arrangements for completion of Personal Development Plans by councillors.

To consider the report of the Chief Libraries, Arts and Heritage Officer seeking  approval to appoint an independent member to the Board.

The Chief Libraries, Arts and Heritage Officer submitted a report seeking approval to appoint independent members to the Grand Theatre and Opera House Limited Board.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That Member Management Committee be the appointing body for independent members of the Grand  Theatre and Opera House Limited Board.

(b)  That the appointment of Mr Paul Isles be approved for a period of 1 year.

(c)  That members note the recent readvertisement  of a further trustee opportunity.

(Councillor Procter declared a personal interest in this matter as the Chair of the Grand Theatre and Opera House Limited Board)

To consider the report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer in relation to Elected Member Appointments to Outside Bodies.

The Chief Democratic Services Officer submitted  a report providing an update on the current position regarding member appointments and provided an update in relation to:

• Connexions
• Alzheimer’s Society Management Committee
• Leeds Grand Theatre Enterprises Ltd
• SIGOMA (Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities Outside London) within the LGA
• Appointments made since May 2007 by the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance)

RESOLVED –

(a)  To note that West Yorkshire Connexions were no longer to meet as a Board and therefore the Council would no longer be required to appoint a representative to this body.

(b)  That Councillor Lancaster be appointed to the Alzheimer’s Society Management Committee.

(c)  (i)  That Member Management Committee be confirmed as the appointing body for Leeds Grand Theatre Enterprises Ltd.

  (ii)  That the appointment of the 3 members to Leeds Grand Theatre Enterprises Ltd be reserved to Leeds Grand Theatre Board members and that the position of Chair be reserved to the Chair of the Leeds Grand Theatre Board.

(d)  That Member Management Committee be confirmed as the appointing body for SIGOMA and that the position be reserved to the Leader of Council.

(e)  To note the following appointments confirmed by the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) since the last meeting of this Committee:

(f)  To note the position in relation to the Council’s appointment to the David Young Academy