Agenda and draft minutes

Members and officers must declare any pecuniary or personalinterest in any business on the agenda. They should also make declarations at any stage such an interest becomes apparent during the meeting. Consideration should be given to leaving the meeting if the nature of the interest warrants it. If in doubt please contact Democratic Services before the meeting.

23.1     Cllr Burrett declared an interest in the item on the Pay Policy Statement 2024/25 as a deferred Member of the West Sussex Local Government Pension Scheme.

The Committee is asked to agree the minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2023 (cream paper).

24.1     Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2023 be approved as a correct record and that they be signed by the Chairman.

Report by the Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development.

The Committee is invited to consider the proposed Pay Policy Statement, as set out in the report, for recommendation to the County Council.

25.1     The Committee considered a report by the Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development on the proposed Pay Policy Statement, as set out in the report, for recommendation to the County Council (copy appended to the signed minutes). It was noted that on page 14 the second paragraph 15.2 should read 15.3.

25.2     Cllr Burrett asked whether the changes to paragraph 9.4 of the Statement in relation to the abatement of pensions meant that only members in the schemes in paragraph 9.3 which have closed, are subject to the rules on abatement. The Head of HR Specialist Services said he believed that to be correct but that he would check with Pension Fund officers and let Cllr Burrett know.

25.3     Cllr Jupp commented that, whilst there is still a joint Chief Executive, the first sentence of paragraph 6.6 of the Statement would be clearer if it read ‘Leader of West Sussex County Council’ rather than just ‘Leader’ and this was agreed.

25.4     Resolved – That, with the two minor amendments above, the proposed revisions to the Pay Policy Statement, set out in Appendix 1, be endorsed for recommendation to the County Council.

Report by the Director of Law and Assurance.

The Governance Committee is asked to agree some minor changes to the Constitution for referral to the County Council for approval. These are to formalise current expectations relating to the mandatory training requirements for the members of certain panels and committees, as recommended by the Member Development Group, and revisions to the terms of reference of this Committee and of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee to ensure these are in line with current practice and recent legislative changes.

26.1     The Committee considered a report by the Director of Law and Assurance on minor revisions to the Constitution for recommendation to the County Council (copy appended to the signed minutes). These are to formalise expectations for the mandatory training of members of certain panels and committees, as recommended by the Member Development Group, and revisions to the terms of reference of this Committee and of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee to be in line with current practice and recent legislative changes.

26.2     Members were supportive of the proposed changes, particularly in relation to the mandatory training for Planning and Rights of Way Committee. It was specifically noted that, as the planning functions of the County Council are very different from those of district or borough councils, it is essential members sitting on the Planning and Rights of Way Committee complete the training before taking part in meetings.

26.3     Resolved - That the County Council be recommended to approve the changes to the Constitution set out in paragraphs 2.1, 2.3 and 2.4 of the report.

The next meeting of the Committee will be held at 2.15 pm on 20 May 2024 at County Hall, Chichester.

Members are invited to discuss and agree plans for the business of future meetings of the Committee. There are no planned agenda items at the current time.

27.1     The next meeting of the Committee will be held at 2.15 pm on 20 May 2024 at County Hall, Chichester.