Agenda item - Constitutional Matters- Neighbourhoods, Inclusion, Communities & Equalities Committee

A report of the Monitoring Officer (copy attached)

RESOLVED: That the Committee agreed the following:

1.    To note the committee’s terms of reference, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

2.    To approve 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 to be approved.

3.    To invite one representative each from Sussex Police and the Clinical Commissionsing Group and two representatives from Community Works in the areas of equalities and neighbourhoods to attend all meetings in an advisory capacity.

4.    To invite further specialist community representatives to attend meetings on an issues by issue, ad-hoc basis.

7.1       The Legal Advisor explained that this Item was required to request approval from the Committee to set up a Sub Committee and that she was happy to answer any brief questions.

7.2       Anusree Biswas remarked that she felt it was very forward thinking of the council to invite further specialists from the community as mentioned in paragraph 2.4.

7.3       Councillor Powell wanted it noted on record that regarding the issue of Item 11 of this meeting, she could not promise to commit to the Committee in future, due to the main items of quality regarding the Third Sector and where she felt all should be given the chance to vote on this issue.

7.4       The Chair said that she had given her full reasons in the Chairs Comms regarding Item 11. 

7.5       Councillor Moonan stated that she wanted to note that Item 7 was a procedural item and that people had questioned the validity of the NICE committee and that this issue with Item 11 should have been more clearly published. 

7.6       Councillor Simson stated that this item related to setting up an urgent Sub Committee and she was unclear about the difference between this and a special committee, as this was not detailed in the report.

7.7       The Legal Advisor replied that a subcommittee had fewer members was for urgent matters and could be called at short notice.  A special meeting needed to be held outside the usual committee timetable and the object was to function as a committee but to deal with a single item.  The rules on reports were the same as all committees and that papers were published in advance and the normal procedures for committees were applicable.

7.8       Councillor Simson queried the timeline for this special meeting.  The Legal Adviser replied that although she was not privy to the availability of rooms and dates, every attempt was made for publication requirements to be met.  She confirmed the special meeting would happen within 10 days, before 25^th July.

7.9       Councillor Clare asked about Item 6a regarding the role of the Committee since there was anger in the room about not hearing the report today and people were wary that the terms of reference were not going to be met.

7.10      The Chair said that she had not lacked clarity on the subject and that terms of reference would be met.  The Legal Adviser stated that they had rehearsed the rationale and that committee time had been set aside for this.  She felt that they had dealt with the procedural aspects clearly to ensure that the committee’s business of today was correct.

7.11      RESOLVED: That the Committee agreed the following:

1.                 To note the committee’s terms of reference, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

2.                 To approve 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 to be approved.

3.                 To invite one representative each from Sussex Police and the Clinical Commissioning Group and two representatives from Community Works in the areas of equalities and neighbourhoods to attend all meetings in an advisory capacity.

4.                 To invite further specialist community representatives to attend meetings on an issue by issue, ad-hoc basis.