Agenda and minutes

There were none.

Members are requested to indicate at this stage in the proceedings any items on the agenda in which they intend to declare an interest. Members are reminded that if the interest is a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (as defined in the Members’ Code of Conduct) they must leave the room for the whole of that item. If the interest is not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, but is such that a member of the public could reasonably regard it as being so significant that it is likely that it would prejudice their judgment of the public interest (as explained in the Code of Conduct) then they may make representations, but then must leave the meeting for the remainder of the item.

There were none.

Minutes of the meeting held, Tuesday 16 June 2020 are attached to be signed as a correct record.

The minutes of the last meeting held on Tuesday, 16 June 2020 were agreed.

Members are asked to approve the suspension of Standing

Order 33.

33. Participation by the Public at Meetings of Cabinet,

Committees and Sub Committees

33.1 Members of the Public may ask questions and make

statements or comments during Cabinet, Scrutiny, and

Governance meetings which are relevant to items on the agenda.

Special rules apply to Planning Committee (see rule 34)

33.2 Members of the Public will normally only be allowed to speak

after elected members have been given the opportunity to do so,

but this is at the discretion of the Chairman. Questions, comments

or statements which, in the opinion of the Chairman, are

inappropriate may be disallowed.

33.3 Individual members of the public will be restricted to speaking

for a total of five minutes during the whole meeting.

Members were asked to approve the suspension of standing order number 33 in the Council’s constitution relating to public participation due to the current restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESOLVED:  (Unanimously)

That standing order number 33 of the Council’s constitution be suspended for the duration of the meeting.

Report of the Shared Services Lead – Legal and Deputy Monitoring Officer attached.

The Shared Services Lead – Legal and Deputy Monitoring Officer presented a report proposing an update to the Council’s constitution relating to the terms of reference for the Appointment and Employment Panel. 

It was reported that the constitution does not currently contain any written terms of reference for the Council’s Appointment and Employment Panel.  The role of the Panel was approved by Full Council in October 2016 and the proposed terms of reference have been drafted to take into account the report presented at that time. 

Committee Members raised the following comments/queries with regards the report:

„  Confirmation was provided that political balance was not required on the Initial Filter Panel as it was not a standing committee of the Council.

„  Clarification was provided that the Initial Filter Panel related to complaints against statutory officers and did not have a role in recruitment.

„  Comments were made about ensuring deputies were clearly identified to act in the absence of the Leader of the Council and other key roles.

Councillor Bretherton proposed a motion that the membership of the Initial Feeder Panel be extended to include the Leader of the Opposition, which was seconded by Councillor Clark. 

The motion was put to the vote with 3 Member of the Committee voting for the motion and 4 Members against.  The motion was lost.  There was then a vote on the proposals contained within the report.

RESOLVED:  (Unanimously)

That the proposed terms of reference for the Appointment and Employment Panel set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved for submission to Full Council, subject to the inclusion of deputies for key roles in the process.

Report of the Shared Services Lead – Legal and Deputy Monitoring Officer attached.

The Shared Services Lead – Legal and Deputy Monitoring Officer presented a report proposing amended wording to the Council’s constitution relating to My Neighbourhood Procedure Rules (Standing Orders). 

The report proposed to rename My Neighbourhood areas as ‘My Neighbourhood Community Hubs’, building on the success of South Ribble Together and other ancillary changes around streamlining decision-making.

Committee Members raised the following comments/queries with regards the report:

„  In response to comments around the My Neighbourhood parish option, it was stressed that was just one option for Members of each My Neighbourhood area to consider and agree depending on the needs of the relevant community.

„  Confirmation was provided that it was proposed that delegated decisions would be agreed by the My Neighbourhood chair and vice-chair, in consultation with the relevant Director.

RESOLVED:  (Unanimously)

That the proposed amended wording to the My Neighbourhood Area Procedure Rules (Standing Order) set out in Appendix 2 of the report be approved for submission to Full Council.

Report of the Shared Services Lead – Legal and Deputy Monitoring Officer attached.

The Shared Services Lead – Legal and Deputy Monitoring Officer presented a report proposing changes to procedures in council meetings whilst restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic continue. 

The report proposed that for Planning Committee 3 members of the public for an application and 3 people against who register in advance are allowed to speak for up to 4 minutes each.  A similar approach was proposed for Licensing Committee.  For all other committees, including Full Council, the public would not have the right to speak.  Committee Member views were sought on the approach to be taken with regards the participation of councillors not on committee.

Committee Members raised the following comments/queries with regards the report:

„  Clarification was provided that the proposed changes were a temporary measure and would be kept under review until the Government’s regulations came to an end in May 2021.

„  There was general support for Members not on committee being able to participate in meetings with advance notice so that arrangements can be made.

RESOLVED:  (Unanimously)

1.    That the proposals outlined in the report for public participation be approved for submission to Full Council.

2.    The current arrangements for Members not on committee participating in meetings continue, subject to prior notification to Democratic Services.