Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Rita Potter and Councillor Sandra Samuels.

David Pattison, Director of Governance, advised the Committee that as Monitoring Officer he granted a standing dispensation to the Councillors and they were not required  to declare an interest for item 7, Report of the  Independent Remuneration Panel.

[To approve the minutes from the previous meeting held on 28 February 2020 as a correct record.]

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 28 February 2020 be approved as a correct record.

David Pattison, Director of Governance, advised the Committee that Central Government had indicated that it would be looking to introduce urgent Coronavirus legislation in the House of Commons that would change the law on meetings taking place face-to-face. It was agreed that Councillors would be kept up to date if any changes occurred.

Resolved:

That it be agreed that David Pattison keep Councillors updated regarding any changes in law on face-to-face meetings.

[To receive an update on the next steps for phase two of the electoral review.]

David Pattison, Director of Governance, presented the report on the Boundary Review: The Next Steps. The report outlined the next steps for phase two of the electoral review that had been underway by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE).

The Committee were advised that phase one had been approved at Full Council on 4 March 2020 and that the response to LGBCE had been sent on 9 March 2020.

Due to the current situation with Covid-19, it would be difficult to continue with the timescale, outlined in the report, as the consultation period due to start on 12 May 2020 would require face-to-face interactions with members of the public and LGBCE.

David Pattison advised that LGBCE had responded to his request to delay the process to which they have agreed, however they have not said how long the delay would be.

It was agreed that Councillors would be updated on the delay time-frame once the details became available. It was agreed that the second recommendation in the report be changed from July 2020 to a future Governance Committee.

Resolved:

1. That it be agreed that the planned next steps outlined in the report for phase two of the electoral review be approved.
2. That it be agreed that a full report be brought to Governance Committee at a future date, outlining the Council’s recommended ward boundaries to the LGBCE be approved.

That it be agreed that Councillors be updated regarding the timeframe for a delay in the boundary review process. 

[To receive a report on the Modernising of the political structure.]

Councillor Ian Brookfield, Leader of the Council, presented the report on the Modernising of the Political Structure. The report outlined the proposed changes to the Council’s Governance structures. The key proposed changes were:

• The reduction of the number of Cabinet Committees from 3 to 1
• Introduction of Cabinet Advisory Groups
• Realignment of Scrutiny structures – one formal Scrutiny Committee and two sub-committees
• Introduction of Select Committee Reviews

The Committee were advised that if the recommendations were approved at Full Council on 1 April the changes would be implemented for the new municipal year. Changes to the constitution would also be presented at Full Council for approval on 1 April 2020. Following issues raised, Councillor Ian Brookfield advised the Committee that the Cabinet Member for each Cabinet Advisory Group would still hold the decision-making power and Cabinet Advisory Groups would be there to help, advise and investigate key issues.

Following discussions, David Pattison explained that under legislation, Scrutiny Board had to be politically balanced and agreed to change the colour on the diagram in Appendix 2 from blue to avoid any confusion. Issues raised by Select Committees would be reported to the Scrutiny Board and then Full Council and therefore provide more power to hold the Council to account.

It was agreed that Councillor Thompson’s recommendation for the Council to hold public sessions at Full Council meetings be looked into.

Resolved:

1. That Council be recommended to agree the proposed changes to the Council’s Governance structures, set out in the report, were taken to Council on 1 April 2020 including:

a. Reduction of the number of Cabinet Committees from 3 to 1.

b. Introduction of Cabinet Advisory Groups.

c. Realignment of Scrutiny structures so that there is a formal Scrutiny Committee, the Scrutiny Board, with 2 sub-committees namely a health scrutiny panel and an Our Council Performance Panel.

d. Introduction of Select Committee Reviews (Review Groups), commissioned by the Scrutiny Board, and reporting to the Board and to Council.

2.   That it be agreed that public sessions prior to Full Council be looked into.

[To receive the recommendations made by the Independent Remuneration Panel].

David Pattison, Director of Governance, presented the Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel. The report outlined the proposals to be considered from the Independent Remuneration Panel.

The Committee were advised that Local Councils were required by the Local Authorities Regulations 2003 to maintain an Independent Remuneration Panel that make recommendations on basic and special responsibility allowances paid to Councillors. One of the key recommendations outlined in the report had been that the Independent Remuneration Panel undertake a root branch review of the Councillor Allowance Scheme in January 2021.

Councillor Thompson raised concerns on recommendation 1 that stated the Chair of a Cabinet Advisory Group be remunerated at £10,000.

Resolved:

1. That Council be recommended to consider the Report of the Independent Remuneration panel (IRP). Council approve, reject or approve alternative proposals for each of the following

recommendations made by the Panel:

Recommendation 1: That, should the changes to the Governance structure proceed, then the Chair of a Cabinet Advisory Group be remunerated at £10,000.

Recommendation 2: That, should the changes to the Governance structure proceed, the Chair of a Select Committee Review be remunerated at £2,500.

Recommendation 3: That the Councillor Allowance Scheme be amended to state ‘If a Councillor receives an SRA from the Council and also receives an SRA from another authority or public body to which he or she was nominated by this Council then the SRA from this Council would be discounted by the amount of the SRA from that other authority or public body.’

Recommendation 4: That apart from the recommendations above the

current scheme should continue and that the Independent Remuneration Panel undertake a root branch review of the Councillor Allowance Scheme in January 2021.

2.    Delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer to amend the Scheme of

Councillor Allowances according to the decisions taken by Council for inclusion in the Council’s Constitution.

There was no other business discussed.