Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any disclosures of interest from councillors in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct for members.

There were none.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11 April 2023.

The Committee resolved to agree the minutes of the meeting held 11 April 2023.

The Committee considered a report from the Group Head Corporate Governance/Monitoring Officer that sought to update them on the progress made on the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.

The Group Head Corporate Governance/Monitoring Officer advised the Committee that there were now only two councillors that had not completed a DBS check. She also stated that this was not a breach of Members’ code of Conduct but was a breach of protocol because the DBS checks were not a legal requirement. As such, she sought the Committee’s feedback on what course of action she should now take with regard to the two councillors that had failed to complete a check.

The Committee resolved that the Group Head Corporate Governance/Monitoring Officer should speak to the two individuals direct and also that their Group Leaders should address them to check whether there were any issues preventing them from completing a check.

Report to follow.

The Committee resolved to:

1.    Re-establish the Committee System Working Group for 2023-24 to allow it to meet to consider the proposals to revise the number of committees and to agree the Terms of Reference for the new committees; and

2.    Agree that the membership be made up of one member from each political group and any unaffiliated independent members.

The Committee considered a report from the Group Head Corporate Governance/Monitoring Officer that sought approval to re-establish the Committee System Working Group (CSWG) and to confirm the membership structure. The CSWG needed to be re-established to consider the recent proposed changes to the Committees before they were considered at  Council.

The Committee were advised that the CSWG was first established to review the introduction of the Committee System within the Council. The original Terms of Reference stated that the working group should consist of Group Leaders, the Independent Green Councillor and one additional named Conservative member.

The Committee resolved to:

1.    Re-establish the Committee System Working Group for 2023-24 to allow it to meet to consider the proposals to revise the number of committees and to agree the Terms of Reference for the new committees; and

2.    Agree that the membership be made up of one member from each political group and any unaffiliated independent members.

The Committee resolved to note the report.

The Committee considered a report from the Group Head Corporate Governance/Monitoring Officer in respect of the progress on complaints since April 2023.

It was proposed by Councillor Williams and Seconded by Councillor Attewell  and resolved that the public and press be excluded during consideration of this item in accordance with paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of the information of the individuals concerned:

The Committee resolved to note the report.

To move the exclusion of the Press/Public for the following item, in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006.

It was proposed by Councillor Williams and Seconded by Councillor Attewell  and resolved that the public and press be excluded during consideration of the following item in accordance with paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of the information of the individuals concerned:

Item 8 – Outcome of Complaint Investigation

The Committee resolved to note the update.

The Committee considered a report from the Group Head Corporate Governance/Monitoring Officer that sought to update the Committee on a complaint received and considered by an Independent Investigating Officer.

The Committee resolved to note the update.