Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest stated.

Resolved:              That, subject to the recording of Councillor Parker’s apologies, the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 17 June, 2015 be agreed as a correct record.

Consideration was given to a report requiring comments on the Local Government Association’s Peer Review of Decision Making Arrangements.

The Committee made the following observations:

(i)                        Amalgamation of Public Protection and Licensing Committees

Members felt that this was not feasible.  The two committees could not legally be merged therefore it would have to be two separate meetings on the same night. Therefore it would not really achieve anything.

(ii)                       Amalgamation of Audit and Risk and Standards Committees

Members felt that this was an understandable move as the Standards Committee rarely met.

(iii)                      Amalgamation of Active and Cohesive and Healthy and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committees

As Health Scrutiny could be an intensive meeting, it could potentially result in lengthy meetings.  In addition, if concentration was placed on the Health aspect, the Active and Cohesive side of the meeting could suffer.  Therefore this merger should not take place.

(iv)                     Review of the need for the Staffing Committee

No comments were made on this.

(v)                      Joint Parking Committee and Conservation Committees

Joint Parking no longer met and no comment5s were made on Conservation

(vi)                     Reintroduction of the Members Information Bulletin 

Members felt that this would be a good idea and could form part of the Members Web page once it was up and running.

(vii)                    Demands on Members Time

Members did not feel that the demands on their time, attending meetings, was excessive.

(viii)         Start time of meetings

Members were happy for this to remain at 7pm

(ix)                     Changing the frequency of elections

There were no specific comments in relation to this although it was pointed out that, should a large number of existing Councillors lost their seats, a lot of experience could also be lost.

(x)                      Reducing the number of Councillors

Members felt that this issued would require a far bigger debate.

(xi)                     Length of Committee Reports

It was agreed that some reports were lengthy and needed shortening.

(xii)                    Delegation of more decisions to officers

This action would depend upon the type of decisions

(xiii)                  Disbanding of the Member Development Panel

Members felt that this would not be a good idea.  It was crucial for Member Policy and continual development and also enforcing that the process of Member Development was Member led.

As a general comment, it was felt that the Courier service had been stopped too soon and should have continued until every Member had an iPad.

Resolved:             (i)       That the comments be passed to the

appropriate person for collation.

Any member of the public wishing to submit a question must serve two clear days’ notice, in writing, of any such question to the Borough Council.

There was no Urgent Business.