Issue - meetings

This report asks Members to consider proposed options for the implementation of new decision making arrangements.

Resolved:  That the Executive welcome the suggestions put forward in respect of the new decision making arrangements, including the comments of the Audit and Governance and the Corporate and Scrutiny Management Policy and Scrutiny Committees and await feedback from consultation with the political groups and independent members on the proposals, prior to a decision by the Executive in August.

Reason:To enable reviseddecision making arrangements to be   put in place.

The Executive considered the report of the Monitoring Officer which set out proposals for greater cross-party involvement in the decision making process. With policy and scrutiny committees having the opportunity to debate and make recommendations requiring an executive decision prior to the final decision being made. The report set out proposals for how such a system could be introduced and identified some of the issues which may arise.

Officers highlighted Councillor Levene’s earlier comments and summarised the views of the Audit & Governance Committee which were all overwhelmingly in support of the new arrangements.

Members welcomed the comments arising from consultation and expressed support for more cross party discussion, the need to change the culture of the organisation and highlighting the future challenge on both Members and Officers time.

Resolved:  That the Executive welcome the suggestions put forward in respect of the new decision making arrangements, including the comments of the Audit and Governance and the Corporate and Scrutiny Management Policy and Scrutiny Committees and await feedback from consultation with the political groups and independent members on the proposals, prior to a decision by the Executive in August.

Reason:             To enable revised decision making arrangements to be   put in place.