A report by the Chief Executive set out proposals for amending the Council’s Constitution to ensure it remained both lawful and fit for purpose. 

Councillor Phil Davies introduced the report informing that the review of the Council’s Constitution had been a key issue for the Improvement Board and a key action in the Council’s Improvement Plan.  The review was an area that had required urgent attention.

Councillor Phil Davies referred to the five Member events which had been held over the last six months around the different elements of the Council’s improvement agenda.  Each event had been very well attended.  Councillor Davies also stressed at the outset, that the Administration of the Council intended to continue to operate a Strong Leader and Cabinet model of governance.  He informed that he had not been persuaded to return to a Committee System.  Councillor Davies considered that the Strong Leader and Cabinet model was the best option and would allow the Council to work well and make effective decisions.

Councillor Phil Davies reported that it was important to have more clarity on the roles of Members and Officers.  It was also important to enhance the Council’s scrutiny function so that it could influence policy formation.  He informed that the new model of neighbourhood working would allow the Council to deliver its vision and Members would be able to become effective community champions.  Councillor Davies hoped that these new arrangements would lead to greater engagement with the public.

Councillor Phil Davies told the Cabinet that the new procedures around full Council meetings were designed to focus on what it was actually responsible for.  They would provide a means of debating key issues and holding the executive to account.  It was intended that the three new Policy and Performance Committees and the Co-ordinating Committee, responsible for overseeing arrangements and allocating cross cutting activities, would be much more involved in influencing policy-making than the present Overview and Scrutiny Committees.  The Cabinet intended to engage proactively with the four Committee Chairs over the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

Councillor Phil Davies told the Cabinet that the four Constituency Committees would be more cost effective than the present eleven Area Forums.  They would have strategic key oversight.  The Council had committed £50,000 to each Constituency Committee’s budget and was keen to encourage partners to also provide funding as well as their expertise.  Input would be welcomed from all key public agencies in each constituency.

Councillor Phil Davies then turned his attention to Council meetings themselves.  He was keen to move away from the “Punch and Judy” aspects of debating issues in the Council Chamber.  Under the new Constitution there would be a whole new format for the way the Council carried out its business.  The Council would receive written reports to debate and would take questions.  Its attention would focus on the core services it was responsible for delivering and making Cabinet and Cabinet Members more accountable.  The onus would be on the Cabinet Members to answer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 241