Agenda item

Report of the Service Director: Legal & Governance detailing the annual review of the Council’s Constitution, attached.

With the consent of the meeting, Councillor Barnes-Andrews, Chair of the Governance Committee, moved the report of the Service Director, Legal and Governance detailing the annual review of the Council’s Constitution and Councillor Letts seconded:

A confidential session was requested by Members in order to debate part of the report fully.

RESOLVED: that the Chair moved in accordance with the Council's Constitution, specifically the Access to Information Procedure Rules contained within the Constitution, the press and public be excluded from the meeting in respect of agenda item 7.

Confidentiality was based on Categories 1 and 7 of paragraph 10.4 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules. The information contained therein was potentially exempt as it related to individual personal details and information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.  Having applied the public interest test it was not appropriate to disclose this information as the individuals' legal expectation of privacy outweighed the public interest in the exempt information.

Amendment moved by Councillor Barnes-Andrews and seconded by Councillor Letts:

“That recommendations relating to the Employment and Appeals Panel be removed from the report and that discussions take place with Group Leaders and Members of Governance Committee with further recommendations relating to Employment and Appeals Panel to be submitted to July Council for decision”.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT IN THE NAME OF COUNCILLOR BARNES-ANDREWS WAS DECLARED CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

(i)  That the changes to the Constitution and associated arrangements as set out in the report be approved with the exception of Employment and Appeals Panel;

(ii)  That discussions take place with Group Leaders and Members of Governance Committee with further recommendations relating to Employment and Appeals Panel be submitted to July Council for decision;

(iii)  That the Service Director: Legal and Governance be authorised to finalise the arrangements as approved by Full Council and make any further consequential or minor changes arising from the decision of Council; and

(iv)  That the City Council’s Constitution as amended, including the Officer Scheme of Delegation for the Municipal Year 2017/18 be approved.