Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Craig Collingswood and Councillor Wendy Thompson.

There were no declarations of interest made.

[To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 March 2020 as a correct record].

That it be agreed that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 March 2020 be approved as a correct record.

[To discuss any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting].

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Brookfield, advised the Committee as per agenda item 6 of the minutes from the previous meeting, that due to the current crisis the Modernising the Political Structure report would go to Full Council for approval at a later date to come into force with effect from  May 2021 alongside a full review of the Council’s Constitution. An update would be considered at a future Governance Committee meeting.

David Pattison, Director of Governance, advised the Committee, as per agenda item 5 of the minutes from the previous meeting, that the review by the Local Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) had still been underway. Phase one had been completed with the total number of 60 Councillors remaining the same. Phase 2 had been delayed until 10 November 2020 due to the current crisis and an update on the next steps would be considered at a future Governance Committee meeting. Consultations would commence 10 November and end in January 2021. LGBCE had agreed to let the Council submit the findings on 28 January 2021. The Committee were advised that the draft recommendation report would need to be submitted in March 2021 to LGBCE where a final decision would be made by September 2021, with implementation of any changes in May 2022.

Resolved:

1. That it be agreed that an update on Modernising the Political Structure be considered at a future Governance Committee, alongside a full review of the Council’s Constitution.

That it be agreed that an update be provided on the next steps for the review by the Local Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE).

[To follow].

Councillor Paula Brookfield, Cabinet Member for Governance, presented the report on Changes to the Constitution as a result of Covid-19 and other urgent changes. The report outlined the changes made to the Constitution for approval by the Council.

The Committee were advised that prior to any changes being proposed to the Constitution, both the Leader of the Council and Leader of the Opposition had been consulted on proposed changes. The proposed changes as detailed in section three of the report were outlined to the Committee.

The Committee were advised that the adoption of the anti-Semitism working definition had been delayed due to the COVID crisis and Members welcomed the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances (IHRA) working definition. A full review of the Constitution would be considered at a future Governance Committee Meeting.

The Committee noted the changes authorised by the Monitoring Officer where required.

Councillor Sandra Samuels abstained from voting on the recommendations outlined within the report. 

Resolved:

1. That Council be recommended to:

a. Approve the amendments to the Constitution.

b. Authorise the Monitoring Officer to implement the changes.

2.   That it be noted, that amendments had been made by the Director of Governance as authorised by the Constitution.

There was no other business discussed.