Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interests in the items under consideration and in doing so state:

(1) the type of interest concerned; and

(2) the nature of the interest concerned

If any member requires advice on declarations of interests, they are advised to contact the Head of Democratic Governance in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 8 July 2015 as a true and correct record.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 8 July 2015 be signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

There were no announcements on this occasion.

To consider the attached reports to Council from the Leader of the Council, the Deputy Leader of the Council (Tourism, Economic Growth and Jobs) and the Cabinet Secretary (Resilient Communities). The Council will also be asked to consider the report from the Fire Authority Representatives.

The Leader of the Council and the Deputy Leader of the Council presented reports to the Council on work undertaken in their own portfolio area and those portfolios under their responsibility.  The Leader also presented the report on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary.  The reports covered corporate, strategic and policy issues, together with work being undertaken in transforming services and with partners.  Council representatives of the Fire Authority also presented a report on the work of the authority from the meetings held in April and June 2015. Questions, comments and debate were invited from all councillors on each of the report areas.

Note:

In response to a question from Councillor Clapham, Councillor Campbell agreed to clarify whether the 55% of the contracts awarded to local suppliers stated in the report, related to the value of contracts.  Councillor Campbell also agreed to confirm to Councillor Williams whether the information on the costs for the tramway consultant was commercially sensitive.

To seek the necessary approvals to update the Council’s constitution due to recent changes in statutory and proper officer positions. It also seeks to clarify and update the key decision definition and the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules.

Members were aware of the temporary arrangements that were in place for Delyth Curtis to undertake the role of statutory Director of Children’s Services and for Karen Smith to undertake the role of statutory Director of Adult Services and noted that these were due to expire at the end of September.  The Council was informed that a meeting of the Chief Officer’s Employment Committee had been unable to take place to review the senior management arrangements and therefore proposals were made for the arrangements to be extended until 30 November 2015.

Members considered proposals for the Proper Officer for Registration Services to be Joceline Greenaway, the Head of Registration and Bereavement Services which was a similar arrangement in other local authorities and was supported by the Registrar General’s office.    They also considered proposals for the Scrutiny Manager to continue to undertake the role of Statutory Scrutiny Officer and noted that Sharon Davis would undertake role in this respect.

The Council went on to consider an updated definition of a key decision following a review of the decision making criteria where it had been felt that clarification was necessary as to whether further key decision was needed when a decision had been clearly referenced within the budget.

Members also considered proposed changes to the Financial Procedure Rules in terms of expenditure incurred in excess of individual budget heads, to reflect the current financial climate of local government.

Motion:  Councillor Blackburn proposed (and Councillor Williams seconded):

‘1.  To extend until 30 November 2015 the appointment of Delyth Curtis as statutory Director of Children’s Services (as defined in Section 18 of the Children Act 2004) and Karen Smith as statutory Director of Adult Services (as defined in Section 6(1) of the Local Authorities Social Services Act 1970), for the reasons set out in paragraph 5.2 of the Council report.

2.   To appoint Joceline Greenaway (the Head of Bereavement and Registration Services) as Proper Officer for Registration Services (as defined under the Registration Service Act 1953).

3.    To approve the revised definition for a key decision, as set out in paragraph 5.6 of the Council report.

4.   To amend the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules as set out in paragraph 5.8 of the Council report.

5.   To agree that Sharon Davis be appointed the statutory scrutiny officer as defined in paragraphs 5.8 and 5.9 of the Council report.’

Motion carried:  The motion was submitted to the Council and carried.