Agenda item

Before the report on Committees and appointments was presented, it was moved and seconded that consideration of the item be deferred until July. Following a vote, the motion was not carried, and it was:

Resolved: That consideration of the report on committees and appointments proceed as set out in the agenda

The committee considered the proposals to create an "Executive Scrutiny Committee" and a "Budget Scrutiny Working Group". An outline of proposals was presented, which had been developed for consideration with Group Leaders. It was proposed that the Executive Scrutiny Committee comprise 13 members, with membership to be politically balanced.

County Councillor Bill Winlow was proposed as the chair of the new Committee, and County Councillor Alyson Barnes proposed as Deputy Chair.

It was agreed that the Executive Scrutiny Committee meet monthly approximately 2 days in advance of the day of the Cabinet meeting, with the remit to examine forthcoming decisions of Cabinet and Key Decisions of individual Cabinet Members and cabinet Committees.

It was proposed that the Budgetary Scrutiny Working Group be a working group reporting to the Executive Scrutiny Committee, and consist of 7 members, being 3 Labour, 2 Conservatives, 1 Liberal Democrat and 1 Independent. County Councillor Alyson Barnes was proposed as Chair of the Working Group

The Budget Scrutiny Working Group would meet as necessary around the period of budget setting, and would have the role of reviewing and scrutinising developing budget proposals and providing a response to be agreed by the Executive Scrutiny Committee to formal Cabinet budget proposals.

It was agreed that the Chief Executive be authorised to approve detailed Terms of Reference for the new committee and working group, and agree any consequential amendments to the constitution arising from the decision, under the agreed process for dealing with matters of urgent business.

It was also agreed that the new arrangements be reviewed after 6 months.

An amendment was moved and seconded that the Budget Scrutiny Working Group be a formal committee of 13 members, membership to be politically balanced. On being put to the vote, the amendment was lost, and it was therefore:

Resolved : That

  i.  An Executive Scrutiny Committee be established with 13 members, membership to be politically balanced, to scrutinise in advance the decisions of the Cabinet and Key Decisions of Individual Cabinet Members and Cabinet Committees, as set out in the outline proposals presented

  ii.  County Councillor Bill Winlow be confirmed as Chair of the Executive Scrutiny Committee and County Councillor Alyson Barnes be confirmed as deputy chair for 2013/14

  iii.  A Budget Scrutiny Working Group be established as a Working Group of the Executive Scrutiny Committee with 7 members, on the basis of 3 Labour, 2 Conservative, 1 Liberal Democrat and 1 Independent, to scrutinise the budget proposals of the Cabinet, as set out in the outline proposals presented

  iv.  County Councillor Alyson Barnes be confirmed as chair of the Working Group for 2013/14

  v.  The Chief Executive to be authorised to approve detailed terms of reference for the new Committee and Working Group and to agree any consequential amendments to the constitution arising from the decision, under the agreed process for dealing with matters of urgent business

  vi.  A review of the new arrangements take place after 6 months.