Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated from Councillors MacDonald, McCuish and Philand.

There were no declarations of interest intimated.

Short Life Working Group held on 7 October 2013.

The Minutes of the Short Life Working Group on Political Management Arrangements held on 7 October 2013 were approved as a correct record subject to the amendment that Councillor E Robertson had submitted her apology.

Report by Executive Director of Customer Services

The Short Life Working Group on Political Management Arrangements considered a report which updated Members on the proposed new political management arrangements and provided an overview on the proposed model for further consideration. The Group were asked to agree a process for the development of detailed provisions for the delegations to each Committee, revisions to the Council Constitution and Standing Orders, a revised programme of Committee Meetings and supporting governance arrangements and to make recommendations to the Council.

Decision

The Short Life Working Group discussed the content of the Audit Scotland statutory report and the Accounts Commission findings and agreed to a further meeting of the SLWG to propose and agree actions within 3 months and thereafter make recommendations to a Special Council Meeting in November.

The SLWG:

1. Agreed to recommend to Council:-

the adoption of a revised central committee structure to include:

• Policy and Resources Committee
• Community Services Committee
• Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee

and delegated to the Chief Executive and the Executive Director of Customer Services in consultation with the Leader and Depute Leader of the Council to bring detailed delegations, revisions to standing orders and a schedule of meetings to the November Council.

2. To invite expressions of interest from elected members as to the membership of these committees.

3. That the regulatory, audit, performance review and scrutiny functions of the Council are maintained within the existing committee structures.

4. A call-in function as previously discussed be reserved for Council and incorporated into the Standing Orders.

5. To extend the remit and powers of Area Committees to support as undernoted subject to members of the SLWG intimating to the Executive Director proposals for inclusion from the Appendix to the report.

• Enhanced financial delegations
• Enhanced provision in relation to approvals relating to the acquisition, sale or lease of land or buildings within the area
• A facility for the allocation of additional income raised through Council tax on empty properties, and arrangements for administration of these funds
• Incorporation of the functions of Chord Area Project Boards to be taken forward at an area level

6. Not to proceed on the development of a Members Bulletin.

7. Seminars be scheduled for the first Monday of each month throughout the year [except July].

8. Standing Orders to be amended to allow members to attend by video-conferencing at committee meetings.

9. The Monitoring Officer to bring forward proposals in regard to conduct issues.

(Ref: Report by Executive Director of Customer Services dated 29 October 2013, submitted and response by Councillor Marshall, tabled)