Issue - meetings

This report provides a summary of the actions the Council have either taken or are planning in order to address the 10 specific recommendations in the Public Interest Report. This follows agreement of the Public Interest Report at Full Council on 24 March 2016. https://www.york.gov.uk/MazarsReport

Resolved:  That the Executive agree to:

(i)        Note and agree the actions the Council is taking and proposes to take in order to address the Auditor’s recommendations in their report, as set out in paragraph 9 onwards;

(ii)        Refer to Audit & Governance Committee for consideration the changes suggested in paragraph 23 of the report to both the Council Procedures Rules and the Council’s Webcasting Protocol, in the interests of clarity and transparency of approach.

Reason:     In order to address the recommendations highlighted in the Public Interest Report.

[See also Part B minute]

Consideration was given to a report which provided a summary of the actions the Council had either taken or were planning to take in order to address the recommendations in the Public Interest Report; this followed the reports agreement at Council on 24 March 2016.

The Chief Executive presented the report highlighting the changes proposed in relation to the Council approval of the payments made, the governance arrangements, the Officer’s Register of Interests, the Council Procedure Rules and the Council’s Webcasting Protocol. He confirmed that further reports on a governance structure for external bodies would be brought to the Executive’s meeting in June and that the Audit and Governance Committee would be asked to consider changes to the Council’s Constitution in the interests of transparency and consistency.

The Chair expressed his support for the proposed changes, in particular the wording of the Council Procedure Rules, to reflect the balance between freedom of speech and effective management of the meeting.

Resolved:  That the Executive note and agree the actions the Council is taking and proposes to take in order to address the Auditor’s recommendations in their report, as set out in paragraph 9 onwards.

Reason:     In order to address the recommendations highlighted in the Public Interest Report.