Agenda item

To consider proposed amendments to the Constitution and associated documents.

The Council received a report on the annual review of the Constitution and associated documents undertaken by the Monitoring Officer.

The report contained recommendations on proposed amendments to the Authority’s Code of Conduct for Elected Members and Co-opted Members (“the Code of Conduct”) and Arrangements for Dealing with Allegations of Breaches of the Code of Conduct for Members and Co-opted Members (“the Local Arrangements), Contract Standing Orders and Officer Delegation Scheme.

The annual review of the Constitution and associated documents ensured that they continued to be fit for purpose and provided a framework that ensured the efficient discharge of the Authority’s business by allowing for decision making at the appropriate level.

The Constitution Task Group had considered the proposed changes

received for consideration as part of the latest annual review, and the changes had been approved by the Task Group.

The Constitution and associated documents would continue to be kept under review and updated to reflect any changes in the organisational structure of the Council or any legislative changes. The Council had previously authorised the monitoring officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Constitution Task Group, to make such changes when the power remained unaltered and these did not need to be reported to Council.

It was moved by Councillor C Johnson and seconded by Councillor E Darke to:

approve the proposed changes to the Constitution set out in Appendix 1 to the report and refer the approved changes to the Elected Mayor for her consent in accordance with Article 16 of the Constitution, with the inclusion of the following additional amendments:

(a)  In relation to Contract standing orders

Add the wording “in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member” to new section 21 (7) to read,

“ (7) Any extension to a contract shall be agreed in writing by the Chief Executive, Assistant Chief Executive or Directors of Service in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member.”

(b)  In relation to the Officer Delegation Scheme

1)    That all delegations that were held by the Director of Law and Governance be held by the Assistant Chief Executive.

2)    That delegations EHL82 to EHL101 and EHL117 to EHL123 that related to Gambling, Alcohol and Sex Establishment Licensing be delegated to the Director of Regeneration and Economic Development, rather than the Director of Public Health.

The motion, on being put to the meeting, was approved by 56 votes to 0 votes.