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.

There were no declaration made at this stage or at any other point during the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence from the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Lowe and Golton.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 5^th January 2012.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the General Purposes Committee meeting held on 5^th January 2012 be approved as a correct record.

To receive a report of the Head of Licensing and Registration Considering the representations received during the public consultation on the authority’s Initial Proposals for the polling arrangements for Garforth & Swillington and Calverley & Farsley. Also considering the Elections Working Group’s recommendations for the authority’s Final Proposals for the polling arrangements for Garforth & Swillington and Calverley & Farsley.

The Head of Licensing and Registration presented his report which considered the representations made during the public consultation on the authority’s Initial Proposals for the polling arrangements for Garforth and Swillington  and Calverley and Farsley. The report also considered Elections Working Group’s (EWG) recommendations for the authority’s Final proposals for the polling arrangements for Garforth and Swillington and Calverley and Farsley.

RESOLVED – Members of the General Purposes Committee resolved to agree:

·  the final proposals as proposed by the Electoral Working Group and set out in Appendix A to the report  for Calverley and Farsley Ward; and

·  the final proposals as proposed by the Electoral Working Group  set out in Appendix C to the report for Garforth and Swillington Ward.

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 for the Committee.

The Chair proposed that two further items be added to the work programme as detailed below:

• A scoping report exploring the preparatory work which may be necessary in the event of support for an elected mayor for Leeds in the forthcoming referendum; and
• An assessment of the Council’s existing governance arrangements and whether they remain fit for purpose in providing democratic accountability, particularly where Council services will be provided through other agencies at arms length to the Council such as social enterprises, the voluntary sector, Academies and free schools.

In addition the Chair drew Members’ attention to proposals to bring forward the Annual Council Meeting date by three days for this and subsequent years[1].

RESOLVED – The General Purposes Committee resolved;

·  to note the work programme and add the two further reports detailed above.

·  to note the intention to seek full Council’s approval to bring forward the Annual Council meeting date by three days for this and subsequent years.

[1] A report being listed for consideration at the full Council meeting on the 22^nd February 2012