Agenda and minutes

Wednesday, 4 September 2013

Wednesday, 27 November 2013

The Committee noted that its next scheduled meetings would be held on 4 September 2013 and on 27 November 2013.

14 March 2013

23 May 2013

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meetings held on 14 March 2013 and on 23 May 2013 are correctly recorded and that they be signed by the Chairman.

(1)       The Committee agreed to delay making the majority of the appointments pending the production of a revised table, removing redundant organisations, rationalising Local member appointments and incorporating rights and protocols for nominations by the County Council for each Outside Body and the exact number of representatives that the County Council could appoint.  This would also enable the Opposition Groups to make nominations which could initially be discussed informally by the Group Whips.

(2)       The Committee unanimously agreed to appoint Mr A H T Bowles and Mr M J Harrison to the Southern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee. 

(3)       RESOLVED that: -

(a)               Mr A H T Bowles and Mr M J Harrison be appointed to serve on the Southern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee; and

(b)       further consideration of this matter be deferred pending the production of a revised table, removing redundant organisations, rationalising Local Member appointments and incorporating rights and protocols for nominations by the County Council for each Outside Body together with the exact number of representatives that the County Council can appoint. 

RESOLVED that:-

(a)               approval be given to the draft protocol set out at Appendix 1 of the report; and

(b)               any decision to vary the County Council’s normal practice in respect of the Union Flag be taken by the Chairman of the Council following consultation with the Director of Governance and Law and advice from the College of Arms.

(1)       The Chairman agreed to take this as an Urgent Item on the grounds that all Members had already received a letter from the Deputy Leader setting out proposed new arrangements for remuneration of Members’ Travel.

(2)       Mr P B Carter was present for this item pursuant to Committee Procedure 2.27.  He asked the Committee to delay implementing the revisions to the treatment for tax purposes of mileage claims as recommended by HMRC as discussions between HMRC and the County Council were ongoing, with certain matters still requiring clarification.   He also suggested that a report be submitted to the Member Remuneration Panel setting out a draft scheme that would enable

(3)       The Committee unanimously agreed to adopt Mr Carter’s suggested approach.

(4)       RESOLVED that:-

(a)               implementation of revised arrangements for the treatment for tax purposes of Members’ mileage claims as recommended by HMRC be delayed to enable further discussions and clarification of outstanding issues with HMRC; and

(b)           the Director of Governance and Law and the Corporate Director of Finance and Procurement be requested to prepare a report to the Member Remuneration Panel setting out a draft scheme that will, as far as possible, enable the County Council to comply with all necessary legal obligations whilst ensuring, as far as possible, that the financial implications for Members are cost-neutral.

EXEMPT ITEMS

(Open access to Minutes)

The Committee resolved under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the public from the meeting for the following business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

(1)       The Chairman agreed to take this as an Urgent Item on the grounds that arrangements to support Cabinet Members and Opposition Groups needed to be resolved at the earliest opportunity.

(2)       The Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services introduced the report which set out a proposal for the resources to support Cabinet Members and the Opposition Groups.

(3)       On being put to the vote, the recommendations set out in the report were agreed by 6 votes to 1.

(4)       Ms A Harrison requested that her vote in opposition to the decision be recorded, pursuant to Committee Procedure Rule 2.26 (3).

(5)       RESOLVED that the proposed support for Cabinet Members and Opposition Groups set out in paragraphs 2 and 3 of the report be recommended to the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Democratic Services.