Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Larratt

(Copy herewith)

The minutes of the meeting held on the 12^th April 2017 were agreed and signed by the Leader.

There were no items to be heard in private.

There were none.

There were none.

None

There were none.

B Report of the Borough Secretary and Monitoring Officer (Copy herewith)

2.1       Cabinet recommended to Full Council that the Council retain an external provider to operate an external whistleblowing hotline for the Council;

2.2       Cabinet recommended the draft Whistleblowing Policy and Procedure attached at Appendix 1 of the report, to Full Council for approval;

2.3       Cabinet approved the expenditure on an external whistleblowing hotline as detailed in paragraph 4.2.1 of the report, subject to Full Council approving a revised Whistleblowing Policy and Procedure that includes use of an external whistleblowing hotline;

2.4       Cabinet delegated authority to the Borough Secretary & Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to select an external whistleblowing provider and determine the specific level of expenditure within the range approved by Cabinet, following a process conducted in accordance with the Contract Procedure Rules.

2.5       Cabinet recommended to Full Council, that upon adoption of a new Whistleblowing Policy and Procedure, training on whistleblowing is provided to Councillors and Council staff, alongside a campaign to raise awareness of whistleblowing arrangements.

The Leader submitted his report and elaborated thereon. He explained that the Whistleblowing Policy enables those who work for the Council to disclose allegations of malpractice in confidence and reassured they will be effectively investigated without fear of reprisal and that the review of the Policy was being undertaken as part of the implementation of the Council’s Governance Action Plan. It was also noted that as the update to the Policy would reinforce Cultural Change Programme.  

RESOLVED:

2.1       That it be recommended to Full Council that the Council retain an external provider to operate an external whistleblowing hotline for the Council;

2.2       That the draft Whistleblowing Policy and Procedure attached at Appendix 1 of the report be recommended to Full Council for approval;

2.3       That the expenditure on an external whistleblowing hotline as detailed in paragraph 4.2.1 of the report, subject to Full Council approving a revised Whistleblowing Policy and Procedure that includes use of an external whistleblowing hotline be approved;

2.4       That authority be delegated to the Borough Secretary & Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to select an external whistleblowing provider and determine the specific level of expenditure within the range approved by Cabinet, following a process conducted in accordance with the Contract Procedure Rules.

2.5       That it be recommended to Full Council, that upon adoption of a new Whistleblowing Policy and Procedure, training on whistleblowing is provided to Councillors and Council staff, alongside a campaign to raise awareness of whistleblowing arrangements.

B Report of the Director of Customers and Communities (Copy herewith)

2.1         Cabinet granted approval to proceed to the consultation stage for a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to gate the public Highway known as Marble Arch, between Barrack Road and Ash Street (Appendix 1 of the report).

2.2       Cabinet agreed that they be presented with the outcome of the consultation, at a future meeting to enable an informed decision to be made on the making of the PSPO.

Councillor King, as the relevant Cabinet Member submitted her report and noted that Cabinet were being asked for approval to proceed to the Consultation process. It was explained that the area of Marble Arch had been identified as being a hotspot for street drinking, fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour for numerous years.

The Leader noted his support for the Consultation and welcomed the recommendations.

RESOLVED:

2.1         That approval be granted to proceed to the consultation stage for a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to gate the public Highway known as Marble Arch, between Barrack Road and Ash Street (Appendix 1 of the report).

2.2       That Cabinet be presented with the outcome of the consultation, at a future meeting to enable an informed decision to be made on the making of the PSPO.