Agenda item

6.1

The Committee received a presentation from the Interim Director of Legal and Governance, David Hollis. The presentation updated Members on the progress of the 6-month review of governance arrangements since the last meeting of the Committee.

6.2

The Policy and Improvement Officer, Emily Standbrook-Shaw informed the Committee of what engagement activities were underway. Regarding Member engagement, the online survey had launched, drop-in sessions had been arranged for each of the Policy Committees and an update will be taken to the LAC (Local Area Committee) Chairs Group.

6.3

In regard to Citizen engagement, the online survey had launched along with an invitation for citizens to engage, and also the LAC networks had been used to publicise the ongoing work and how citizens could engage with the Council on this.

6.4

In regard to Officer engagement, the online survey had launched and structured conversations with various officers and groups were being arranged.

6.5

The Policy and Improvement Officer explained that drop-in sessions had only been carried out at two of the Policy Committee meetings. Therefore, the next steps were to carry out drop-in sessions at the remaining Policy Committees throughout December 2022. She added that Officers would be in touch with Members of the Governance Committee about taking part in public facing events.

6.6

Members of the Committee were asked to give their views on the update and presentation and the key points to note were: -

6.7

A Member of the Committee asked whether staff and pupils at schools and colleges were being engaged, as part of this piece of engagement.

The Policy and Improvement Officer responded that this was a group that had not been engaged, although agreed that it would be important to do so.

The Head of Policy and Partnerships, Laurie Brenan added that the Governance Committee working group could explore long-term development and engagement by looking into how the Council promoted and did business with different groups in the City, In particular younger voices.

The Chair (Councillor Julie Grocutt) mentioned how capturing the thoughts of young people were valuable. She added that the Committee could engage with the Youth Cabinet and secondary schools.

6.8

RESOLVED: That the Committee notes the update on the 6-month review of governance arrangements.