Issue - meetings

A joint report of the Executive Member for Finance and Governance and Director of Legal and Governance Services was presented to provide members with an update in relation to the Council’s decision making process.

A report containing details of Officer Delegated Decisions taken during the period 1 January 2022 - 31 December 2022 was attached at Appendix A to the submitted report. 

A report containing details of Executive decisions taken during the period 1 January 2022 - 31 December 2022 was attached at Appendix B to the submitted report. 

During the period 1 January 2022 – 31 December 2022 there were 99 Executive decisions.  In the corresponding period, the Council did not receive any requests for call-in, in respect of any of the decisions taken during that period.

A query was raised in relation to Members’ access to exempt information to enable them to assess whether to call-in a decision.  The Monitoring Officer clarified that the assumption was that Elected Members of the Council had an interest in all decisions made and should be able to access exempt information on request.  It was suggested that this was reflected in the Constitution.

A list of training and briefing sessions for Elected Members held during the period 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 was attached at Appendix C to the submitted report.

The report was designed to provide assurance for members in relation to the decision making processes. This type of report was not usually replicated at other local authorities.

AGREED that:

1.         The information provided with regard to the Council’s decision making process was received and noted.

2.         Provision for Members’ access to exempt information should be included in the Constitution.