Issue - meetings

Report CSD19015

As part of its consideration of the Members Allowances Scheme, the Committee received reports from the Executive Assistants appointed by the Leader for 2018/19. These reports were intended to illustrate the work undertaken by Executive Assistants, who were in receipt of an annual special responsibility allowance of £3,575. Councillor Gary Stevens, Executive Assistant for Resources, Commissioning and Contract Management, had not submitted a report, but he had, on 7^th February 2019, attended the Executive, Resources and Contracts PDS Committee to be scrutinised on his work, and the draft minutes from that meeting were tabled.

It was suggested that the Constitution Improvement Working Group should examine the role of the Executive Assistant, and in particular whether they should have formal objectives and whether they should be delegated executive powers.

Members commented that they had heard about an officer-led Transformation Project, but they were not aware of any further detail. The Chairman stated that she had asked for more information on this.  

A Member commented on the playgroup established by Councillors Nicky Dykes and Aisha Cuthbert, and inquired whether attendance was good. The report stated that the session was well attended, but the Chairman offered to find out more detail.  

RESOLVED that

(1) The reports from Executive Assistants be noted.

(2) The Constitution Improvement Working Group be requested to consider whether Executive Assistants should have formal objectives set at the start of each Council year, and whether they should be allowed some measure of executive authority, and the outcome of their consideration be reported back to this Committee.