Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Kira Gabbert (who was replaced by Cllr Simon Fawthrop) and Cllr Jonathan Laidlaw.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, members of the public may submit one question each on matters relating to the work of the Committee. Questions must have been received in writing 10 working days before the date of the meeting - by 5pm on Tuesday 27^th June 2023. 

Questions seeking clarification of the details of a report on the agenda may be accepted within two working days of the normal publication date of the agenda – by 5pm on Wednesday 5^th June 2023. 

No questions had been received.

It was noted that minute 64 should be corrected to list Cllr Chloe-Jane Ross as a member of the Constitution Working Group, and not Cllr Sam Webber.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 23 May 2023 be confirmed.

Report CSD23083

At the Committee’s meeting on 30^th March 2023, it was noted that Officers would redraft the Constitution into a more user-friendly layout and include any updates to comply with current legislation. The proposed new Constitution had been prepared, but Members sought an opportunity for the document to be considered by the Constitution Working Group before it was referred to full Council.

Cllr Tony Owen requested that officers check that there was still a provision for any Member to call a special meeting in the new document. 

RESOLVED that the report be deferred.

Report CSD23072

The Local Government Act 1972 required a member of a Local Authority to attend at least one meeting of that Authority within a six-month consecutive period, to avoid being disqualified as a Councillor. This requirement could be waived and the time limit extended if any failure to attend was due to a reason approved by the Authority, in advance of the six-month period expiring. Councillor Jonathan Laidlaw was currently unwell and not expected to return to his duties as a councillor for some time and a waiver was sought to extend the period when he would not be required to attend a meeting.

Cllr Sam Webber, seconded by Cllr Melanie Stevens, moved an amendment to defer consideration of this matter to the next meeting, but this amendment was lost.

RESOLVED that Council be recommended to agree that a waiver of the six-month attendance requirement be granted to Councillor Jonathan Laidlaw, to extend his absence by up to a further six months to 10^th May 2024.

Report CSD23073

The Committee received a report on its work programme for the 2023/24 Council year and matters outstanding from previous meetings.

The Chairman proposed that the meeting on 21^st September 2023 be cancelled as very little business was proposed. Cllr Jeal, referring to a recent Licensing Sub-Committee when a licensing condition needed to be amended, proposed that a report reviewing licensing conditions should be brought to a future meeting.

RESOLVED that

(1)  The work programme and matters outstanding be noted.

(2)  The meeting scheduled for 21^st September 2023 be cancelled.

(3)  A report be prepared for a future meeting on licensing conditions.