Issue - items at meetings - Arrangements for Setting up Urgency Sub Committees

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources (copy attached)

            1. That the Committee’s terms of reference as set out in the report be noted; and

            2. That the establishment of an Urgency Sub-Committee consisting of the Chair of the Committee and two other Members (nominated in accordance with the scheme for the allocation of seats for committees), to exercise its powers in relation to matters of urgency, on which it is necessary to make a decision before the next ordinary meeting of the Committee be approved.

3.1             The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director, Resources providing information on the committee’s terms of reference and related matters including the appointment of its Urgency Sub Committee.

3.2       Councillor Simson enquired whether the Membership of an Urgency Sub Committee would need to be politically balanced. The Democratic Services Officer confirmed that a balance would always be sought as it was envisaged that an Urgency Sub Committee would consist of the Chair of the Committee and two other members nominated by the Group Leader or Leaders as appropriate to meet the requirements for the allocation of seats between political groups. Whilst it was not anticipated that an Urgency Sub Committee would need to be convened it was important to have the necessary arrangements in place should one need to take place.

3.3       It was noted that the programme of meeting dates set out in the report would need to be amended should a change of date for the Autumn cycle (to be proposed under Item 8), be agreed.

3.4       Councillor Wealls referred to the Committees Terms of Reference stating that it would be useful if the Committee could also be kept informed of issues which had been raised in tandem with the Scrutiny Process as had been the case in the past. There was general agreement that this would be desirable and it was confirmed that the Scrutiny Team had been requested to ensure that such items were notified.

3.5       RESOLVED – (1) That the committee’s terms of reference as set out in the report, be noted; and

(2) That the establishment of an Urgency Sub Committee consisting of the Chair of the Committee and two other Members (nominated in accordance with the scheme of allocation for seats for committees), to exercise its powers in relation to matters of urgency, on which it is necessary to make a decision before the next ordinary meeting of the Committee be approved.