Issue - meetings

The Chair introduced the report as set out in the agenda papers.

Councillor Winskill raised an anomaly between paragraphs 1.4, 5.2.2 (iv) and 7.1.  Paragraphs 1.4 and 7.1 stated that all recommendations made by the Panels must be referred to the main Committee for approval, and paragraph 5.2.2 (iv) stated that the Scrutiny Panels could make recommendations to the Cabinet or relevant non-executive Committees.  Councillor Winskill suggested that approving the report be postponed until the matter was clarified, taking into account the processes of other authorities with Scrutiny Panels.

Melanie Ponomarenko - Senior Policy Officer (Scrutiny) – advised Members that the Council’s Legal team had approved the report and made the comments at paragraph 5.2.3 – all recommendations made by the Panels had to be agreed by the main Committee.  The Scrutiny Panels were not Sub-Committees, but had an advisory capacity to the main body.

The Chair suggested that advice be sought from Legal to clarify matters and the report be agreed subject to obtaining this advice.

RESOLVED - subject to advice from Legal -

i)          That the four standing Scrutiny Panels be established, as set out in the report;

ii)         That the Terms of Reference be approved.

iii)        That the Panel Membership be approved.