Agenda item

A.43/18          

The Committee considered a report that outlined proposed amendments to Part 4: ‘Rules of Procedure’ and Part 6: ‘Scheme of Members Allowances’ of the Council Constitution.

During discussion, the following points were raised:-

(a)   Officers assured the Committee that, once approved by the Council, the format of the Constitution would be revised and would include links to result in the document being more reader friendly;

(b)   With regard to voting at Development Management Committee meetings, Members highlighted the following rule:

2.5 Voting

Inviewof  thequasi– judicialnatureof  muchof  thebusinessof  the Committee thereisa generalobligationforCouncillors to remainforthe wholeofthedebateortohaveparticipatedinanypreviousconsideration on any particularapplicationandcertainly to refrain fromvotingifeitherof theseessentialrequirementshavenotbeenachieved.

Since this rule had been adopted before the new Committee Site Inspection process (i.e. whereby inspections were usually carried out before a planning application was8 determined) had been adopted and the case officer agenda reports and presentations were so extensive, the Committee felt that it was timely for this Rule to be reviewed.  It was therefore PROPOSED and SECONDED and on being put to the vote declared CARRIED that:-

‘The Development Management Committee be asked to review Procedure Rule 2.5: Voting.’

(c)    Audit Committee related training.  Such was the importance of training for Audit Committee Members, that it was PROPOSED and SECONDED and when put to the vote declared CARRIED that:

‘All Members of the Audit Committee will be expected to attend relevant training sessions as and when they are provided.’

It was then:

RESOLVED