Issue - meetings

The Executive Board considered the attached reports (also see enclosed disc).

To be moved and seconded by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor –

“That the Council’s Constitution be amended as proposed”.

            The Council’s Constitution had been reviewed and the proposed changes recommended were outlined in the report of the Strategic Director – Corporate and Policy which had been circulated with the summons.

            One additional amendment was tabled related to amending any references to the old ward name of Castlefields to the new ward name ‘Halton Castle’.

            RESOLVED: That the Council’s Constitution be amended as proposed.

            The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Corporate and Policy which sought the approval of the Council to a number of changes to the Constitution.

            Members had received a revised version of the Constitution, it was advised that this amended version picked up the changes to the Council’s working arrangements that had taken place during the year, as well as other changes which were intended to assist the Council to operate more effectively.

            It was advised that the proposals for change had been considered by the Chief Executive and the Executive Board Member for Corporate Services in accordance with Article 16.02. It was reported that apart from the purely technical changes, the proposed amendments that were considered to be of particular significance were listed as an appendix to the report.

            The Board was informed of one change to the appendix which related to Citizen’s Right’s of Access to Information in terms of amending the acceptability of questions put to Area Forums.  It was proposed that questions put to Area Forums should be the responsibility of the Lead Officer in Consultation with Members, rather than in consultation with the chair as not all Area Forums have a standing Chairman.

            RESOLVED: That Council be recommended to approve the changes to the Constitution as set out in the amended version detailed as follows.

Local Code of Corporate Governance

National Standard document which Council needs to adopt. Further enhances the Council’s integrity framework.

Warrington BC Trading Standards arrangements

Delegated powers changed to reflect joint working with Warrington BC

Mental Health functions – officer delegation

A separate report seeking additional officer delegations in relation to the council’s Mental Health functions. To the extent approved by Council these will be added to the final printed version of the 2009 Constitution.

Urgent Decisions

It is important that the Council is able to respond promptly within an accountable framework. For this reason an urgent measures delegation is proposed for approval in the Scheme of Delegation.

Procurement Standing Orders

Improvements have also been proposed to the Procurement Standing Orders to ensure that the reasons for decisions are documented. This will enhance accountability and transparency.

Call-In

Changes have also been made to the Call-In Procedure to allow withdrawal where Members initiating the Call-In wish to discontinue the process.

Citizen’s Right’s of Access to Information, meetings etc, Number 7.

Acceptability of questions put to Area Forums should be the responsibility of the Lead Officer in consultation with Members rather than the responsibility of the Chair since not all Area Forums have a Standing Chairman.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director – Corporate and Policy outlining the proposed changes to the Council’s Constitution. It was noted that the revised version picked up the changes to the Council’s working arrangements that had taken place during the year as well as other amendments which would hopefully assist the Council to operate more effectively.

The proposals for change had been considered by the Chief Executive and the Executive Board Member for Corporate Services in accordance with Article 16.02. Those that were considered to be of significance, and not just purely technical, were listed in Appendix 1 to the report.

RESOLVED: That Council be recommended to approve the changes to the Constitution as set out in the amended version.