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)

A late item was submitted to the agenda for consideration minute 96 refers.

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 declarations made at this point or any other point during the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence from the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Lowe, Lobley, Wakefield, Finnigan and Golton.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th February 2012.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the General Purposes Committee meeting held on 16^th February 2012 be approved as a correct record.

To receive a report of the Chief Executive and the City Solicitor asking the Committee to consider amendments to Sections 2A (full council functions) and 2C (officer delegation scheme) of Part 3 of the constitution, which the City Solicitor proposes to make under her delegated authority.  The report also presents, for consideration by Members, factual information being considered for circulation to the electorate in respect of the Mayoral Referendum.  This report was admitted as a Late Item.

The Head of Governance Services introduced a report of the Chief Executive and the City Solicitor. The report asked the Committee to consider the City Solicitor’s proposed amendments to Sections 2A (full council functions) and 2C (officer delegation scheme) of Part 3 of the constitution, to reflect legislative changes. The report also asked Members to consider a leaflet being considered for circulation by the Chief Executive (under the proposed delegations outlined in the report) to the electorate in respect of the Mayoral Referendum.

The Head of Licensing and Registration and the Chief Executive were in attendance to answer Members’ questions and concerns

In relation to the proposed delegation Members expressed concern at the broad scope of the proposed delegations and were of the view that decisions taken by the Chief Executive under the delegation should be subject to terms and conditions, to the effect that, any matters requiring a decision be subject to timely consultation with General Purposes Committee in advance of any action being taken. Members were also of the view that the delegation be reviewed as soon as practicable.

The Chief Executive outlined the challenging timescales imposed by DCLG and the regrettable implications this has had in terms of officers ability to consult widely with Members on the content of the proposed leaflet and the arguments for and against distribution. The Chief Executive apologised to Members of the Committee for the circumstances which had led to the Committee being consulted at the ‘eleventh’ hour and undertook to ensure that DCLG were made aware of the unacceptable timescale that had been presented by them.

A motion was put by the Chair to determine whether there was support for the Chief Executive’s proposal that the leaflet be distributed. A majority of Members expressed a vote in favour of distribution of the leaflet.

RESOLVED – The General Purposes Committee resolved to:

(a)  endorse the amendments proposed to be made by the City Solicitor under her delegated authority to Section 2 A of the constitution as set out at Appendix 1 to the report;

(b)  endorse the amendments proposed to be made by the City Solicitor under her delegated authority  to the delegation to the Chief Executive under the officer delegation scheme (Council (non executive) Functions) in the constitution as set out at appendix 2 to the report with the proviso that the delegation includes terms and conditions which require the Chief Executive to consult with General Purposes Committee in a timely fashion in advance of any action being taken under the delegation ;

(c)   endorse the Chief Executive’s view that a leaflet in respect of the Mayoral referendum should be distributed to the Leeds electorate as set out at appendix 3 to the report;

(d)  request a review of the delegation scheme of the Chief Executive as early as practicable as agreed at resolution (b) ; and

(e)  request that a press release concerning the leaflet be issued.

To receive a report of the Chief Officer HR seeking the Committee’s views on the attached draft Pay Policy Statement and for the Committee to make recommendations to full Council to approval the Pay Policy Statement for the 2012/13 Financial Year.

The Head of HR presented a report of the Director of Resources which sought Members’ views on the draft Pay Policy Statement (attached at Appendix 1 to the agenda) and requested Members of the Committee to make recommendations to full Council to approve the Pay Policy Statement for the 2012/13 financial year.

Members of the Committee considered the report and questioned the Head of HR on the differences between the draft Pay Policy Statement attached at Appendix 1 to the report to what currently happens.

Members sought further clarification in the policy to ensure that the Employment Committee will appoint  to all chief officer posts.

RESOLVED – Members of the General Purposes Committee resolved to:

(a)  recommend to full Council that the Pay Policy Statement as attached at Appendix 1 to the report for the 2012/13 financial year be adopted by the Council subject to Section 2 being amended to state that all Chief Officer appointments will be made by the Employment Committee; and

(b)  receive a further report on how the Pay Policy Statement can be reviewed.

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

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

The Committee reviewed its forthcoming work programme.

RESOLVED – Members of the General Purposes Committee resolved to:

(a)  note the contents of the work programme;

(b)  request the review of the City Solicitor’s delegation scheme on the work programme; and

(c)  include previously requested items on the published work programme schedule from the previous meeting 16^th February 2012 to which  minute 89 refers.