Issue - meetings

To consider the proposed Schedule of Meetings for 2019/20.

RECOMMENDED that the Schedule of Meetings for the 2019/20 Municipal Year be approved as set out at Annex 1 to the report presented.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor M.A. Brunt presented a report with a proposed schedule of meetings for the 2019/20 Municipal Year. The draft schedule drew upon past experience and had regard to comments from both Members and Officers.

It had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 6 December 2018 and it was noted that the Committee had made no observations for the Executive to consider. However, it was highlighted that there had been one change to the proposed schedule since December, which was to swap the scheduling of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Executive in September 2019. Councillor Brunt explained that this was to support earlier consideration of performance reporting.    

In response to questions, the Leader of the Council advised that, if required, meetings could be added or cancelled in the course of the year, subject to the usual protocols and statutory requirements.

RECOMMENDED that the Schedule of Meetings for the 2019/20 Municipal Year be approved as set out at Annex 1 to the report presented.

Reason for decision: To establish a timetable to ensure the efficient and effective conduct of Council business for the forthcoming municipal year.

Alternative options: To amend the timetable set out at Annex 1 to the report presented.

To consider the proposed schedule of meetings and make any comments for consideration by the Executive.

To consider any Advance Questions submitted.

The Committee considered the proposed schedule of meetings for the 2019/20 municipal year.

Questions were raised regarding the following topics:

·         The Planning Committee meeting between the May 2019 elections and the Annual Council meeting. It was identified that there was a requirement for a meeting of the Committee to take place during this period to ensure that planning applications were not unduly delayed. It was identified that due to the large membership of the committee, there was not considered to be a significant risk of the Committee not being quorate for the meeting.

·         Committee meetings over the Christmas period. It was identified that unfortunately some meetings in the run-up to the Christmas break might unfortunately clash with ward activities for some Councillors, but that these meetings were required to process Council business in a timely fashion.

·         Relative timings of meetings of the Overview & Scrutiny, Executive and Council. It was confirmed that these meetings had been scheduled to allow for pre-scrutiny of forthcoming items to be conducted in advance of finalisation of reports to the Executive.

No additional comments were made on the proposed schedule and the Committee therefore referred the proposed schedule to the Executive for consideration.

RESOLVED that:

(i)         The proposed schedule of meetings be noted;

(ii)        No observations be made to the Executive.