Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mary Cooke, Diane Smith and Pauline Tunnicliffe, who was replaced by Councillor Simon Fawthrop.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, questions to this Committee must be received in writing 4 working days before the date of the meeting.  Therefore please ensure questions are received by the Democratic Services Team by 5pm on Wednesday 20^th May 2015.

No questions had been received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings held on 26^th March and 13^th May 2015 be confirmed.

Report ES15039

This report was withdrawn until the next meeting of the Committee.

Report CSD15066

The Government had made legislative changes which required the Council to amend its standing orders insofar as they related to disciplinary action against, and dismissal of, the Council’s Head of Paid Services (Chief Executive), Monitoring Officer (Director of Corporate Services) and Chief Finance Officer (Director of Finance.)

RESOLVED that Council be recommended that the Standing Orders relating to disciplinary action against the Head of Paid Service, Monitoring Officer and Chief Finance Officer be modified as set out in Appendix 2 to the report and be incorporated into the Council’s Constitution.

Report FSD15031

At its meeting on 10^th February 2015 the Committee had recommended to Council that a Local Pension Board be established as required by the Public Service Pensions Act 2013 and associated regulations. The Committee now considered a report seeking approval for an amendment to the terms of reference of the Board and the appointment of members to the Board.

It was confirmed that the new Board would have no executive powers to manage the pension fund or take decisions about investments; the Board could express views, but could only make challenges where it considered that the Fund was being managed contrary to relevant regulations. Where the Board had concerns there were arrangements in place for these to be considered at various levels as appropriate. If the Board considered that there was a fundamental breach which the Administering Authority did not address it could ultimately report to the Pensions Regulator. 

RESOLVED that 

(1)  Glenn Kelly and Lesley Rickards be formally appointed as the two member representatives to the Local Pension Board for a period of 3 years from 1^st July 2015 (paragraph 3.13 in the report);

(2) Pursuant to (3) (ii) below, Brian Toms and Jane Harding be nominated the two employer representatives to be recommended to Council for appointment (paragraph 3.13 in the report);

(3) Council be recommended to

(i)  agree the amendment to the terms of reference as set out in paragraph 3.11 of the report;

(ii)  approve the revised terms of reference (appendix 1 to the report);

(iii)  subject to recommendations (i) and (ii), formally appoint Brian Toms and Jane Harding as the two employer representatives to the Local Pension Board for a period of 3 years from 1^st July 2015 (paragraph 3.13 in the report);

(iv)  delegate authority to the Director of Finance in consultation with the Chairman of General Purposes and Licensing Committee and the Chairman of Pensions Investment Sub-Committee to make any further required changes to the terms of reference (paragraph 3.14 in the report).

Report CSD15060

The Committee considered the appointment of Council representatives to serve on outside bodies and partnerships. Most of the appointments were for the 2015/16 Council year, but a few were longer term three or four year appointments. A schedule containing the nominations received from party groups was included in the report, and an updated version is attached to these minutes as Appendix 1.

In three cases where there were more nominations than places the Committee decided to appoint the Conservative nominees. Councillor Kathy Bance enquired about this, but the Chairman stated that this was only following usual practice.

RESOLVED that

(1) The following appointments be made in cases where the nominations exceed the required number of representatives –

(a) Adult Safeguarding Board: Cllrs Robert Evans and Stephen Carr.

(b) Affinity Sutton Group: Cllr Chris Pierce.

(c) Community Links Bromley: Cllrs Ellie Harmer and Peter Fortune.

(2) Cllr Judi Ellis be re-appointed to the Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust (three year term.)

(3) The following corrections to the schedule be noted –

(a) Two appointments (rather than a representative and a deputy) be made to the Bromley Mentoring Initiative Steering Group (Cllrs Kate Lymer and Tim Stevens.)

(b) Councillor Richard Williams be appointed to the Crystal Palace Community Development Trust (not Cllr Wilkins).

(4) The fourth place on the Cray Valley War Memorial Institute Hall should remain vacant. 

(5) The remainder of the appointments be approved as set out in the schedule.

The minutes of the Local Joint consultative Committee meeting held on 31^st March 2015 were received.

The minutes of the Audit Sub-Committee meeting held on 1^st April 2015 (excluding exempt information) were received.

The minutes of the Industrial Relations Sub-Committee meeting held on 8^th April 2015 (excluding exempt information) were received.

RESOLVED that the Press and public be excluded during consideration of the item of business referred to below as it is likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings that if members of the Press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

The following summary

refers to matters

involving exempt information

The Committee noted expressions of interest submitted by potential Board Members.

The exempt minutes of the Audit Sub-Committee meeting held on 1^st April 2015 were received.

The exempt minutes of the Industrial Relations Sub-Committee meeting held on 8^th April 2015 were received.