Issue - items at meetings - Amendments to Scheme of Delegations for Officers

Report of the Head of Law & Monitoring Officer (copy attached).

1.            That Members agree the changes to the scheme of delegations to Officers as set out in paragraphs 3.3 to 3.9.2 inclusive below;

2.            That Members authorise the Chief Executive to take any steps necessary or incidental to the implementation of the proposals, including, where necessary, making transitional arrangements.

3.            That the Head of Law and Monitoring Officer be authorised to make any necessary or consequential changes to the constitution to reflect the above.

4.            That, subject to any transitional arrangements that the Chief executive considers appropriate, the proposed arrangements come into force with immediate effect except those relating to sport development, which shall come into force on 1^st April 2015 subject to the Chief Executive being satisfied having regard to the outcome of the consultation with staff.

60.1    The Committee considered a report of the Head of Law & Monitoring Officer in relation to Amendments to the Scheme of Delegations to Officers. The report sought authority to amend the scheme of delegations to Officers to ensure better co-ordinated, efficient delivery of services resulting in better outcomes.

60.2    In response to Councillor G. Theobald the Monitoring Officer explained that resident requests for buildings to become assets of community value were currently dealt with at Officer level as the nature of the hearings tended to be technical – the report simple sought to amend the delegation to a different directorate. Officers agreed that a mechanism would be setup by which Ward Councillors would be informed of any such requests within their Ward, but it was noted that the Council had currently dealt with one of these to date.

60.3    Councillor G. Theobald asked further questions and it was clarified that the report sought to amend the delegation for housing related support, but this made no decision or comment about the level of funding or budget. Any change to this could ultimately form part of the formal budget process in 2015.

60.4    In response to Councillor Morgan it was explained the rationale behind merging some of the housing and social care functions was to move the accountability to the best place for overseeing safeguarding. Assurance was provided that there were no assumptions being made about staff performance; where there were ongoing grievances these were being dealt with properly. It was considered that this move was positive and reflected the integration of services. The Executive Director for Adult Services provided assurance that homelessness was a prevention priority and part of the Better Care Fund.

60.5    The Chief Executive provided further assurance that the organisation was dedicated to addressing issues around housing and homelessness, and the city was one of the few authorities where the Better Care Fund was looking at vulnerable adults as well as the elderly. It was noted that the report was technical in nature, and simply related to Officer delegations.

60.6    The Chair then put the recommendation to the vote:

60.7RESOLVED:

1)        That Members agree the changes to the scheme of delegations to Officers as set out in paragraphs 3.3 to 3.9.2 inclusive below;

2)        That Members authorise the Chief Executive to take any steps necessary or incidental to the implementation of the proposals, including, where necessary, making transitional arrangements.

3)        That the Head of Law and Monitoring Officer be authorised to make any necessary or consequential changes to the constitution to reflect the above.

4)        That, subject to any transitional arrangements that the Chief executive considers appropriate, the proposed arrangements come into force with immediate effect except those relating to sport development, which shall come into force on 1^st April 2015 subject to the Chief Executive being satisfied having regard to the outcome of the consultation with staff.