Agenda item

7.1

The Committee received a report of the Director of Legal and Governance concerning the inquiry process. The Assistant Director (Governance) explained the multiple purposes of the report.

7.2

The Assistant Director (Governance) advised it would be beneficial for Members of the Committee to give their views on the Governance Framework, taking into consideration the key design questions set out in the report.

7.3

Members were also asked if they had an immediate steer on how they wished to shape the Governance Model, in reflection of the information provided in the report.

7.4

It was also mentioned that it would be useful for the Committee to provide an insight on any key lines of inquiry to be asked at the Inquiry sessions, to make sure the Committee get the most out of that inquiry process.

7.5

The Assistant Director (Governance) stated that additional attendees had been invited to Inquiry Sessions 2 and 3 that were not listed in the report.

7.6

Members of the Committee discussed the points stated above. The main points to note were, as follows:-

7.7

To talk to other local authorities about:

• Schemes of Delegation.
• Roles/Responsibilities of Officers.
• Urgent decision-making processes.
• Holding to account function.

• Memberships/Requirements of Councillors.
• Vice/Co-chairs.
• Political proportionality of Chairs.
• Appointing Chairs/Vice Chairs of Committees.

• How to avoid pre-determined scrutiny/decisions.
• call-ins.

• Views on how many themed Committees there should be.
• How often would the Committees meet.
• How the Over-Arching Committee should operate.
• How Full Council should operate.

• How the Whip system would influence what happens.

• At what point should the Council consult with the public on new policies.

• To understand the relationship between Local Area Committees and Themed Committees.

7.8

RESOLVED: That (1) progress in the five weeks since the committee’s last meeting be noted;

(2)  That the volume of evidence so far gathered by the Council over the past few years and months, summarised in this report and its appendices, be given full consideration with a view to informing the Committee’s views on the Council’s future governance model;

(3)  That members identify any key gaps in the evidence available which could be addressed within the remainder of this inquiry process; and

(4)  That the questions and early options presented throughout the paper are considered with a view to whether the committee can provide any degree of steer in order to progress the inquiry towards recommendations to Council by the end of December.