Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Vanessa Allen (who was replaced by Cllr Angela Wilkins), Nicholas Bennett (who was replaced by Councillor Ruth Bennett), Kim Botting, Michael Turner and Stephen Wells.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, questions to the Chairman of 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 17^th May 2017.

Three questions for written answer had been received from Councillor Nicholas Bennett - the answers are set out in Appendix A to these minutes.

Councillor Tony Owen commented that the I0S7 operating system used by Council I-pads was out of date, and the Chairman would query why screen capture was not allowed.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings held on 6^th February 2017 (excluding exempt information) and 10^th May 2017 be confirmed.

Report CSD17061

The Committee received a report on the appointments to outside bodies and partnerships due for 2017/18. Nominations had been received from the party groups and were set out in appendix 1 to the report. In the majority of cases the nominations matched the places available; paragraph 3.2 of the report set out where this was not the case.

Members raised concerns that there was only one place available on the Affinity Sutton Regional Scrutiny Board. It was explained that this reflected the Association’s increased size and scope, which was much greater than the former Broomleigh Housing Association, but the Committee nevertheless considered that Affinity Sutton should be asked to provide an additional place.    

The Committee also noted that a new Trust was being established to run Crystal Palace Park, and suggested that the Council should be represented on the Trust Board.

RESOLVED that

(1) The following amendments to Appendix 1 be noted -

·  Children’s Safeguarding Board: Councillors Stephen Carr and Peter Fortune were nominated by the majority group (not Councillor Diane Smith).

·  Mentoring Steering Group: Two places were available (not one place and a deputy.)

(2) Appointments to outside bodies and partnerships be approved as set out in Appendix B to these minutes, including the following –

·  London Councils Transport and Environment Committee: Councillors William Huntington-Thresher, Tim Stevens, Angela Page & Ian Dunn.

·  London Councils Lead Member for Housing: Councillors Diane Smith/Peter Morgan

·  Bromley Economic Partnership: Councillor Peter Morgan

·  Bromley Y: Councillors Judi Ellis and Peter Fortune.

·  Affinity Sutton Group London and East Regional Scrutiny Board: Councillor Chris Pierce

·  Community Links Bromley: Councillors Peter Fortune and William Huntington-Thresher.

(3)  It is noted that a vacancy exists on the Cray Valley Library and War Memorial Institute.

(4) Affinity Sutton be requested to allocate an additional place on their Regional Scrutiny Board.

Report CSD17074

The Committee received a report summarising its role. The report included the Committee’s terms of reference and terms of reference for its sub-committees, and a draft work programme for the 2017/18 Council year. It was noted that there would be reports on elections and complaints – it was suggested that the complaints report needed to give a picture of whether complaints were increasing or not.

The Chairman and other Members suggested the following additional issues for consideration at future meetings –

·  A review of outside body appointments;

·  A review of the Scheme of Delegation to Officers;

·  Training for newly elected Members

It was also suggested that there should be feedback to the Committee from the Licensing Sub-Committee meetings either the decisions from each meeting or a summary of recent decisions.

The Committee discussed the briefings provided by the Licensing Officer that the Chairman received on incidents in Beckenham and Bromley town centres – the chairman offered to pass these on. Members commented that there was no similar information for Orpington town centre, and that more generally it was difficult to obtain information from the Police on incidents in their wards.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The minutes of the Local Joint Consultative Committee’s meeting on 23^rd February 2017 were received.

The minutes of the Pensions Investment Sub-Committee’s meetings held on 31st January 2017 (excluding exempt information), 22^nd February 2017 and 5^th April 2017 were received.

The minutes of the Audit Sub-Committee’s meeting on 4^th April 2017 (excluding exempt information) were received. Councillor Angela Wilkins commented that she had been at this meeting – the minutes would be corrected accordingly before they were approved.

RESOLVED that the Press and public be excluded during consideration of the items 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 summaries

refer to matters

involving exempt information

The Committee approved the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 6^th February 2017.

The exempt minutes of the Pensions Investment Sub-Committee’s meeting on 31st January 2017 (excluding exempt information) were received.

The exempt minutes of the Audit Sub-Committee’s meeting on 4^th April 2017 were received.