Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED:

That Mr. N. J. Rushton CC be appointed Chairman for the period ending with the date of the Annual Meeting of the County Council in 2022.

Mr. N. J. Rushton CC in the Chair.

That Mrs. D. Taylor CC be elected Deputy Chairman for the period ending with the date of the Annual Meeting of the County Council in 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2021 were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

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

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

There were no urgent items for consideration.

The Chairman invited members who wished to do so to declare any interest in respect of items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations were made.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive which sought approval to submit proposed changes in the structure of Overview and Scrutiny Bodies to the County Council for approval. A copy of the report, marked 'Agenda Item 8', is filed with these minutes.

Mr. M. T. Mullaney CC emphasised that the Liberal Democrat Group were not in support of Article 2.03(b) of the Constitution which stated that all County Councillors should act in the capacity to which they were elected to the County Council and could not speak on behalf of any other local authority whilst acting as a County Councillor. Mr Mullaney CC stated that the Liberal Democrat Group were of the view that members should be able to speak on behalf of both the County Council and District Councils at the same meeting. In response the Director of Law and Governance explained that Article 2.03(b) was an important part of the Constitution which picked up the rules around bias and reflected common law principles.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council be recommended to approve the proposed changes to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee structure and terms of reference, as set out in Appendix A to the report and to consequential amendments being made to the Constitution.

(Note: Mr. M. T. Mullaney CC abstained from voting on the proposal)