Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 18^th June, 2003, were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been received under Standing Order 36.

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

There were no urgent items for consideration.

No declarations of interest were made.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive on the level of payments on members’ allowances for 2002/03.  A copy of the report marked ‘B’ is filed with these minutes.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the action taken by the Chief Executive to publicise the level of payments on members’ allowances in 2002/03 be noted and that the details be published with the minutes of this meeting in accordance with the provisions of the Local Authorities (Members Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive inviting the Committee to make recommendations to the County Council in response to a report of the Independent Panel on Members’ Allowances.  A copy of the report marked ‘C’ is filed with these minutes.  The Committee also considered a supplementary report of the Chief Executive presenting the Panel’s latest report, a copy of which is also filed with these minutes.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the County Council be recommended:

 

(a)       to approve the recommendations as set out in the report of the Independent Panel on Members’ Allowances;

 

(b)       to agree to the provisions set out in the report relating to pensions being back dated to 1^st May, 2003.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive inviting the Committee to respond on behalf of the County Council to a consultation paper concerning the Cycle of Local Government Elections in England.  A copy of the report and consultation paper marked ‘D’ is filed with these minutes.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)       That the report be noted;

 

(b)       That the following comments be used as the basis of the County Council’s response to questions posed in the consultation paper:-

 

(1)       Local Government would not benefit from a more uniform pattern of local government electoral cycles in England as this would not allow for local variations reflecting differing local circumstances;

 

(2)       Local preferences should be considered of paramount importance when considering future arrangements for local government electoral cycles;

 

(3)       The current four year term of office for local councillors should be retained;

 

(4)       In areas with more than one tier of local government, elections should continue to be staggered;

 

(5)       Local Government elections should not be held on the same date as other national or European elections on the grounds that this would result in a focus on national rather than local issues and therefore weaken local democracy.

 

(c)        That the Chief Executive be requested to respond accordingly to the Electoral Commission by the deadline of 3^rd October, 2003.

RESOLVED:

 

That the next meeting of this Committee be held at 12 noon on Wednesday, 17 September, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

1 September 2003

11 a.m. – 11.45 a.m.                                                                  CHAIRMAN