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 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.

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 Councillors S Golton, J Blake and M Lobley.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th May 2011.

RESOLVED  - That the minutes of the General Purposes Committee meeting held on 17^th May 2011 be approved as a correct record.

Members sought clarification from officers on the progress of the requested proposals which would preserve the role of Area Committees in appointing the chair whilst also ensuring Area Committees meet in advance of the Annual Council Meeting to appoint chairs and that any deadlock in this respect be capable of being resolved at the Annual Council meeting.

To receive a report of the Head of Licensing and Registration  considering  the representations received to conduct an interim review of the polling arrangements for Garforth and Swillington and Calverley and Farsley and to agree the process for such a review.

The Head of Licensing and Registration presented his report, the report considered the representations received to conduct an interim review of the polling arrangements for Garforth & Swillington and Calverley & Farsley and the process for such a review.

Members discussed the report in detail. Concerns were raised that the review should not be proceeded at Committee but instead should be conducted by the Electoral Working Group (EWG) owing to their knowledge and it being considered a fair process. However, Members also acknowledged that the representations have triggered a process and that this should be followed in an open and transparent manner at the earliest opportunity.

Also raised in discussion was that by reviewing  small areas, such as those under discussion, this could lead to other areas requesting such reviews. The time scale of the process was also discussed by Members comments were made that the process was happening too quickly, this in light of establishing new polling stations being a major issue.

It was noted by the Committee that the current polling station arrangements for Garforth and Swillington put elderly and disabled people at a disadvantage due to the busy roads and hills approaching the polling station in question.

RESOLVED – Members of the General Purposes Committee resolved to:

(a)  agree the process for the Interim Review for Garforth & Swillington and Calverley & Farsley as set out in the report;

(b)  agree the timetable for the Interim Review as set out at Appendix A to the report;

(c)  agree that the proposals received at section 5 and 6 of the report be confirmed as the authority’s initial proposals for the interim review of Garforth & Swillington and Calverley & Farsley;

(d)  agree that EWG will be used as a working group to discuss the results of any representations received in response to any consultation, and provide recommendations for General Purposes Committee’s consideration as set out at section 3.2 of the report; and

(e)  agree that officers review the Council’s Constitution regarding the current process for considering alterations to polling districts, places and stations to identify any possible improvements.

To receive a report of the Director of Resources notifying and inviting comment from the Committee upon the work programme

The Director of Resources submitted a report notifying Members of the work programme.

The Committee reviewed its forthcoming work programme noting that the Constitution should be thoroughly reviewed and that an item detailing this should be placed on the work programme.

It was noted that Members of the Committee should contact the City Solicitor with any specific areas they feel need to be targeted in a review of the Constitution.

RESOLVED - Members of the General Purposes Committee resolved to request an item be placed on the work programme detailing a review of the Constitution.