Agenda and minutes

Meeting called at short notice under the provisions of paragraph 4.1 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules.

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 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)

In accordance with his powers under Section 100 B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair admitted to the agenda late supplementary information in relation to Amendments to the Constitution (See Agenda item 7, minute No. 62).

The late item was admitted to the agenda in light of staff changes at the Council which required urgent changes to the Constitution (including to the officer scheme of delegation (council functions)).

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 from Councillor A Carter and Councillor J L Carter.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes held on 23^rd March 2011.

MINUTES TO FOLLOW

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the General Purposes Committee meeting held on 23^rd March 2011 be approved as a correct record.

To receive a report of the Chief Executive detailing proposed amendments to the Constitution.

REPORT TO FOLLOW

The Head of Governance Services presented a report of the Chief Executive. The report asked the Committee to consider and recommend the proposed amendments  to full Council (including to the officer scheme of delegation (council functions)) which are urgently required as a result of staff changes within the Council.

RESOLVED – Members of the General Purposes Committee resolved to recommend to full Council that:

(a)  the delegations to the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) under the officer delegation scheme (Council functions) be withdrawn;

(b)  the delegation to the Chief Executive be amended, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report;

(c)  the delegation to the Director of Resources be amended, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report;

(d)  the City Solicitor be designated as Monitoring Officer;

(e)  the City Solicitor and the Head of Licensing and Registration be appointed as Deputy Electoral Registration Officers;

(f)  the proposed appointment by the Chief Executive of the City Solicitor and Head of Licensing and Registration as Deputy Returning Officers be noted; and

(g)  the Constitution be amended further as set out in Appendix 3 of the report.

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance)  notifying and inviting comment upon the work programme.

Head of Governance Services submitted a report notifying Members of the draft work programme for the 2010/11 municipal year.

RESOLVED – Members resolved to agree that the draft work programme for 2010/11 be noted.