The Lead Principal Lawyer introduced the report of the Director of Law and Governance, which sought agreement for the establishment and terms of reference of the Regeneration Programme Working Group and to seek appointment of members to it.

Members were advised that the report had been brought to Committee to formalise a resolution made by members  on 26 January 2022 in response to a report on Legal Input into Major Regeneration Projects. On 23 March 2022 the Committee had  resolved to amend the working group arrangements, 

The working group was in acknowledgement of concerns raised Economy Regeneration and Development Committee  and Audit and Risk Management Committee.  The working group would allow for scrutiny of the legal process that would include feedback from partners where needed as an assessment of the performance of the Council’s legal practice as it related to the regeneration programme. Its purpose was not to micromanage the process but to allow scrutiny and offer assurance to elected members across both Committees and the wider Council chamber.

Members discussed the Membership in relation to other working groups and after a discussion with the Lead Principal Lawyer agreed that Membership of the Committee should be made up of the Chair and  Group  Spokespersons.

Resolved – That

(1) the Regeneration Programme Working Group be appointed for 2022/23 with terms of reference identified in paragraph 3.3 of this report;

(2) the size of the Regeneration Programme Working Group be agreed as the Chair and Group Spokespersons with  appropriate provision for substitute members