The Acting Director of Law, HR and Asset Management presented a proposed calendar of meetings for Council, Cabinet and Committees for the municipal year 2013/2014. It had been prepared on the basis that in 2013/2014, there would be the same number of Regulatory Committees and Overview and Scrutiny Committees and, as in previous years these would meet in 5 cycles through the year. A date has also been set aside for the Youth Parliament/Council meeting and dates for Cabinet meetings had been agreed with the Leader in accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 1.6. It was proposed that the Cabinet had eight ordinary meetings and three budget meetings during the year and he commented that this would be subject to an amendment to the Council’s Constitution Executive Procedure Rules.

In addition to the Council, Cabinet and Standing Committees, the Acting Director had also included dates set aside for pre-Council group meetings and Area Forums. Dates had been included in the calendar for Member training, for which a programme would be drawn up by the Member Training Steering Group.

He had received only one representation from a Member of the Council, who had requested that Panel dates should also be included in the published calendar. However, it was not always possible to identify in advance when Panels would be required and, out of necessity, were often arranged at comparatively short notice.

Resolved –

(1)  That the calendar of meetings for the municipal year 2013/14, attached at Appendix A to the report now submitted, be approved.

(2)  That the Council’s Constitution be amended to reduce the number of Cabinet meetings to 8 ordinary meetings, plus 3 budget meetings during the municipal year.