Decision details

33.1     The Committee considered a report by the Director of Law and Assurance on a new Code of Governance to provide residents and partners with insight into the Council’s governance framework (copy appended to the signed minutes).

33.2     In response to comments on the draft Code set out at Appendix 1, the Committee was advised that in section 3, sub-sections e), f) and g) should have explanations beneath them and these would be reinstated. In the explanation beneath sub-section d) the word ‘is’ should be deleted.

33.3     Members discussed the explanation of the role of scrutiny committees in paragraph 3.7 of the Code. A request was made for the five scrutiny committees to be listed for ease of reference. It was suggested that the process of flagging major policy items and their timing in the Forward Plan to enable timely scrutiny be explained. The Director of Law and Assurance said he would review whether the section should give more detail on how the process works.

33.4     Members were happy to approve the minor amendments set out in minute 33.2 in order to comply with the commitment to publish a new Code of Governance by the end of April, as set out in the Council Plan. In relation to the suggested changes in relation to the paragraph 3.7 on scrutiny, it was proposed that any significant changes be brought back to the Committee’s next meeting for further consideration. Members also felt that the Code should be kept under review.

33.5        Resolved –

(1)         That the Code of Governance (attached at Appendix 1 to the report), subject to the minor amendments set out in minute 33.2 above, be approved for publication and dissemination; and

(2)         That any major revisions to paragraph 3.7 on scrutiny be brought to the next meeting of the Committee with proposals for how the Code of Governance will be reviewed.