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 refusal of inspection of documents in accordance with Procedure Rule 25 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules.

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 by the Chair for consideration.

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

Councillors Dobson and Selby declared a personal interest in agenda item 6 (Minute 20 refers), by virtue of their position as an LEA Governor.

Councillor Lewis declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 (Minute 21 refers), by virtue of his position as a Trustee of Brigshaw Co-operative Trust.

Two further declarations were made at a later point in the meeting (Minute 25 refers).

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 1^st July 2011.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 1^st July 2011 be approved as a correct record, subject to an amendment to Minute 4 to reflect that Councillor Charlwood declared an interest as an E-ACT Governor, rather than as a Governor of Moortown Primary School.

To receive a report of the Governor Support Service, Children’s Services informing Members of the current number of vacant local authority seats on governing bodies in Leeds, and the current arrangements for the allocation of local authority seats to particular political groups.

The Senior Governor Support Officer presented a report of the Director of Children’s Services informing Members of the current number of local education authority seats on governing bodies in Leeds, and the arrangements for the nomination of local authority Members to vacancies.

Members felt that the current arrangements remained fit for purpose.

Members also considered the arrangements for the appointment of Members to Academies, and concluded that appointments be made through Member Management Committee.

Members queried  the arrangements by which Academies determine the composition of the governing body and were informed that each individual Academy (in consultation with the Department for Education) determines the allocation of places on its governing body, including whether a place will be allocated to the local authority. It was requested that any prospective Academies be informed that the Council would welcome being allocated a place on the governing body.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the current protocol for the appointment of Local Authority governors to schools is relevant and appropriate, and should continue to be used;

(b)  That the nomination of Local Authority governors to Academies be made by Member Management Committee, in accordance with the Appointments to Outside Bodies Procedure Rules; and

(c)  That the Director of Organisational Improvement be requested to inform prospective Academies that the Council would welcome being allocated a place on the governing body.

To receive a report of the Director of Children’s Services presenting proposals for council representation on all of the Children and Young People Cluster Partnerships in Leeds, and recommending that the Committee agrees up to two Elected Member representatives for each partnership.

The Locality Enabler presented a report of the Director of Children’s Services presenting proposals for Council representation on all of the Children and Young People Cluster Partnerships in Leeds, and recommending that the Committee appoints up to two elected Member representatives for each partnership.

It was agreed that a Morley Borough Independent Member from the Morley South ward should be appointed to the Ardsley and Tingley cluster (in addition to an Ardsley and Robin Hood ward member), as some of the schools in this cluster are located in the Morley South ward.

It was also agreed that Councillor Andrew Carter would be appointed to the Pudsey cluster.

Should any schools move to a different cluster, it was requested that a report be submitted to Member Management Committee in order that the allocation of elected Member positions can be reviewed.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That Cluster Partnerships be categorised as Strategic and Key Partnerships; and

(b)  That places on the Cluster Partnerships be allocated as follows:

To receive a report of the Chief ICT Officer seeking the support of Member Management Committee for a project to be undertaken to identify technical solutions to support Elected Members more effectively in the various ways they choose and need to work.

The Business Relationship Manager presented a report of the Chief ICT Officer seeking the support of Member Management Committee for a project to be undertaken to identify technical solutions to support elected Members more effectively in the various ways they choose and need to work.

Members particularly discussed upcoming improvements including the facility to access Council e-mail and calendar from personal devices, which would be available from the following week.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the content of the report be noted; and

(b)  That ICT Services work with key stakeholders (including the Members ICT Working Group, Group Support Officers and Member Development Officers) to develop a range of ICT service offerings between now and the end of 2011; and

(c)  That ICT Services report back to the January 2012 meeting of Member Management Committee to request the Committee’s support for the recommendations arising from resolution (b) above, to inform a delegated officer decision.

To receive a report of the Chief Officer, Democratic and Central Services seeking comments on a draft report to Full Council (to approve the suspension of procedure rules) and a draft order paper to help facilitate proceedings at the State of the City Meeting on 7^th December 2011.

The Head of Governance Services presented a report of the Chief Officer, Democratic and Central Services seeking comments on a draft report to full Council (to approve the suspension of Procedure Rules), and a draft order paper to help facilitate proceedings at the State of the City meeting to be held on 7^th December 2011.

Martin Dean, Head of Leeds Initiative and International Partnerships was also in attendance to respond to Members’ queries.

It was agreed that a copy of the State of the City report would be circulated to Whips as soon as it is available.

Members were informed which partners would be attending the State of the City meeting to lead each themed debate. It was agreed that there should be no supplementary questions at the meeting, and that although members of the public would be entitled to attend the themed debates, they would not be able to ask questions.

Members also highlighted the need for the Head of Leeds Initiative and Partnerships to ensure that appropriate rooms would be available for the themed debates.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the draft report to full Council concerning the arrangements for the State of the City meeting, and the draft order paper be noted; and

(b)  That the draft report be amended to clarify that Whips have agreed that there will be no supplementary questions.

To receive a report of the Chief Officer, Democratic and Central Services providing Members with an update on learning and development issues relating to elected Members.

The Member Development Officer presented a report of the Chief Officer, Democratic and Central Services providing Members with an update on learning and development issues relating to elected Members.

It was reported that the Member Development Working Group has discussed how to work more closely with employers to raise awareness of the role of a Councillor, which will be looked at in more detail with a view to producing a guidance note.

In relation to the induction programme, Members supported the suggestions to hold more events in the evening, and to involve more experienced Councillors.

It was requested that officers ascertain whether an appropriate ‘out of office’ message can be added to Councillors’ e-mail accounts when they stand down or are not re-elected, and whether their accounts can remain open for a period of time (if required), to allow any outstanding issues to be resolved.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted;

(b)  That the Member Development Officer liaise with officers in ICT Services to ascertain whether an appropriate ‘out of office’ message can be added to Councillors’ e-mail accounts when they stand down or are not re-elected, and whether those e-mail accounts can remain active for a period of time (if required), in order to allow any outstanding issues to be resolved.

To receive a report of the Chief Officer, Democratic and Central Services providing an update on the current position regarding Member appointments to outside bodies, and seeking to confirm Member nominations to remaining vacancies.

The Governance Officer presented a report of the Chief Officer, Democratic and Central Services providing an update on the current position regarding Member appointments to outside bodies, and seeking to confirm Member nominations to remaining bodies.

Councillors Charlwood and Selby declared a personal interest in this item as their respective appointments to Dial Leeds and William Merritt Disabled Living Centre and Mobility Service were considered.

RESOLVED  -

(a)  That Councillor Hanley be appointed as a substitute member of the Leeds Safeguarding Children Board;

(b)  That an additional Member be appointed to the Children’s Trust Board, and that the place be allocated to Councillor Hanley;

(c)  That Councillor Yeadon’s appointment to Leeds Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust be extended to three years (ending in June 2014), with a caveat that the appointment will cease if another Member is appointed as Executive Member for Adult Health and Social Care;

(d)  That appointments to the Leeds Initiative – Health and Wellbeing Board be amended to include the following Members:

(i)  Leader of Council (who will Chair the Board);

(ii)  Executive Member for Children’s Services;

(iii)  Executive Member for Adult Health and Social Care; and

(iv)  Leaders of the two main opposition groups (or their nominee).

(e)  That the place on the Leeds Initiative – Sustainable Economy and Culture Board which was previously allocated to the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Housing and Regeneration be removed;

(f)  That the Governance Officer liaise with Councillor Murray to ascertain whether membership of the Investigation of Air Pollution Standing Conference is worthwhile, and report back to the next Member Management Committee meeting;

(g)  That the North Regional Association for Sensory Support be removed from the Council’s list of outside bodies;

(h)  That from the 2012/13 municipal year, Swarthmore Education Centre be allocated as a Community and Local Partnership, with appointments to it being made by the North West (Inner) Area Committee;

(i)  That the (currently unallocated) position on Dial Leeds be allocated to the Labour Group, and that Councillor Charlwood be appointed to this body;

(j)  That the (currently unallocated) position William Merritt Disabled Living Centre and Mobility Service be allocated to the Labour Group, and that Councillor Selby be appointed to this body;

(k)  That the Conservative Group place on Leeds University Court be allocated to the Labour Group, and that Council Blake be appointed to this body;

(l)  That the Conservative Group place on West Leeds Academy be allocated to the Labour Group (as a Whip’s nominee); and

(a)  That the change of appointments since the last meeting of the Committee, as detailed in paragraph 3.13 of the report, be noted.