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.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2000 and paragraphs 13-18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct. Also to declare any other significant interests which the Member wishes to declare in the public interest, in accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

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

To receive any apologies for absence from the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Finnigan, Councillor Lowe and Councillor Blake.

To receive as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 30^th August 2012.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the General Purposes Committee meeting held on 30^th August 2012 be approved as a correct record.

To receive a report of the Chief Executive considering proposals arising from discussions with the Group Whips, who have met to review and to address areas of concern  following the new arrangements  at  Council meetings.

Councillor J Lewis presented a report of the Chief Executive, outlining the need for amendments to Council Procedure Rules in order to document the new arrangements for the operation of Council meetings.

Further to deliberations at the meeting of the Standards and Conduct Committee on the 19^th October 2012, the Head of Governance Services presented a proposal of the Committee to have the quorum for the Standards and Conduct Committee reduced from 4 to 3.  The proposal was not supported.

RESOLVED – Members of the General Purposes Committee resolved to;

a)   recommend to full Council the approval of Council Procedure Rules set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report.

b)  further review the success of the revised arrangements prior to the new Municipal Year.