Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting of the Constitution Committee held on 8 March 2006, were taken as read, confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been asked under Standing Order 35.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been asked under Standing Order 7(3) and 7(5).

There were no items of urgent business.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive on proposals to change the structure of scrutiny committees. A copy of the report marked ‘B’ is filed with these minutes. The Committee also considered a paper which set out the decisions which had been taken by the Scrutiny Commission at its meeting on 5^th May 2006 on the matter, together with a report showing the proposed amendments required to the Constitution to give effect to the proposed new structure. A copy of these documents is also filed with these minutes.

During the ensuing discussion the following points were made relating to the proposed amendments to the Constitution:-

(i)     The majority of the changes were necessary as a result of the proposal to bring together the scrutiny of Adult Social Care and Health under one committee. The Constitution at present separated the scrutiny of County Council functions from scrutiny of the National Health Service.

(ii)   In relation to land use planning, it was important for the limitations on the part scrutiny could play to continue to be recognised having regard to the responsibilities of the Development, Control and Regulatory Board in respect of individual planning applications.

(iii) The terms of references of the present Resources Scrutiny Committee were now to be incorporated into those of the Scrutiny Commission.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council be recommended to approve the proposed amendments to the Constitution now submitted to give effect to the proposed changes to the structure of scrutiny bodies.