Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 September 2024 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 the purpose of which was to set out changes proposed to be made to the Council’s Constitution as part of this year’s annual review.  A copy of the report marked ‘Agenda Item 6’ is filed with these minutes.

In presenting the report the Chief Executive explained that a correction had been made to the proposed new Standing Order 12 detailed in the Appendix to the report to make clear that all types of notices of amendment would be released to all members (including opposition group members) at the same time.

Members commented that the proposed changes to Standing Orders would be helpful to ensure proper officer advice could be received in respect of amendments to motions and that the timescales being imposed as part of this process would not hinder the democratic process.

The Committee supported proposals to carry out a full review of the Constitution which it was agreed would be timely and welcomed the involvement of elected members in this process.

RESOLVED:

(a)  That the County Council be recommended to approve the proposed changes to the Constitution as set out in the Appendix attached to this report;

(b)  That a politically balanced task and finish group be established to undertake a full review of the Constitution.

The Committee sitting as Trustee considered a report of the Director of Law and Governance the purpose of which was to seek approval to a variation being made to the approved Grants Policy to enable the officer panel to determine individual applications from students below a proposed threshold.  A copy or the report marked ‘Agenda Item 7’ is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:

That the amendment to the Grants Policy as set out in paragraph 10 of the report be approved.