Issue - meetings

Report of Chair of Overview and Scrutiny (Copy herewith)

Cabinet noted recommendations 1 and 2 of the Overview and Scrutiny report.

Cabinet agreed to proceed and implement recommendation 3 of the Overview and Scrutiny report.

Cabinet asked the Chief Executive to further report on recommendation 4, 5 and 6 of the Overview and Scrutiny report.

Councillor Malpas submitted a report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in respect of the Call-in of the decision in respect of the Community Management of Community Centres that had taken place on 29 November 2010. He stated that the Call-in had been upheld and that the Committee had felt that the adding of a fourth recommendation at the Cabinet meeting itself on 3 November 2010 had been unreasonable. However, the Committee urged Cabinet to proceed with its first three resolutions. The Committee suggested that the extension of using the framework for other community assets should be the subject of a further, detailed report. In terms of process the Committee had also suggested that Cabinet consider publishing an Addendum, as was the practice at the Planning Committee, where alterations to recommendations were known about sufficiently in advance.  In answer to a question from the Chair, Councillor Malpas confirmed that the intention of having an Addendum was not to prevent changes to recommendations taking place as the result of addresses or debate at Cabinet meetings.

Councillor Mildren concurred with the comments made by Councillor Malpas and urged that Cabinet proceed with the first three of its recommendations. He noted the suggestion that Cabinet consider separately the extension of the framework to other community assets.

Councillor Clarke recorded his thanks to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for upholding the Call-in. He had believed that at the Cabinet meeting on 3 November a major new recommendation had been introduced after debate and before a decision made. The Council had a Forward Plan that advised Councillors and the public of future Cabinet business but this matter had not been included on it. This seemed an example of the Cabinet just doing what it wanted to. At Call-in it had become clear that there had been different versions of the report and that some Cabinet members had been unsure as to which one was the final version. At the Cabinet meeting on 3 November the Borough Solicitor had had to cobble up some wording to comprise the fourth recommendation. He suggested that Cabinet should do things properly ie the issue should be published in the Forward Plan and a proper report prepared.

Councillor Mason commented that she had been unhappy with the introduction of the fourth recommendation so late in the day at the Cabinet meeting and felt that it had been too vague and the proposed delegation had not been clear. Up to that point the Task and Finish Group had worked well cross party and produced a report: the content of the fourth recommendation had not formed part of their consideration.

RESOLVED:      1. That recommendations (1) and (2) of the Overview and

                               Scrutiny Committee be noted.

                           2. That recommendations 1, 2 and 3 of the Cabinet report to

                               the meeting held on 3 November 2010 be implemented.

                           3. That the Chief Executive submit further reports in respect

                               recommendations (4), (5) and (6) of the Overview and

                               Scrutiny Committee report.