Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the Meeting held on 24^th May, 2006. 

The Minutes of the meeting held on 24^th May, 2006 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record. 

Report of Corporate Director (Finance and Performance)

The Corporate Director (Finance and Performance) presented a report which requested Members to approve the Corporate Performance Plan 2005/06 as the Council’s Best Value Performance Plan.

It was reported that the Corporate Plan had been agreed by Council the previous month but the approval of the Best Value Performance Plan (BVPP) had been delegated to the Council Business Committee. Members were advised that the Government prescribed the content of the BVPP and that the two documents would be subject to scrutiny from the Audit Commission.

Members asked a number of questions on the Corporate Performance Plan.

Approval of the Plan was moved by Councillor Robinson, seconded by Councillor Chadwick and unanimously agreed.

Resolved :

That the Council approve the Corporate Performance Plan 2005/06 as the Council’s Best Value Performance Plan.

Report of Head of Democratic Services. 

The Head of Democratic Services presented a report requesting Members to consider whether they wished to appoint a Council representative to serve on the Lancaster Boys Club Executive Committee.

Members were advised that the Labour Group had appointed a non-Councillor representative in May 2003 to the Boys Club Executive Committee. It was reported that the Council’s representative had attempted to raise a number of concerns initially expressed by the County Council and had encountered problems, as a result of which he had eventually resigned.

The Labour Group had advised that they were unwilling to make a further appointment in the circumstances and had asked other Groups to support them in this.

Members discussed the options as set out in the report.

It was proposed by Councillor Bray and seconded by Councillor Heath :

(1)        That the Head of Democratic Services obtain further information relating to             the City Council’s concerns that have been raised regarding Lancaster Boys    Club and whether these have been resolved.

(2)        That the Head of Democratic Services contact to the National Association of             Boys Clubs in conjunction with the County Council (subject to their             agreement) to express concerns raised regarding Lancaster Boys Club.

(3)        That the decision whether to appoint a Council representative on the             Executive Committee of Lancaster Boys Club, be deferred until Officers can             clarify the issues set out above.

Upon being put to the vote, Members voted unanimously in favour of the proposition whereupon the Chairman declared the proposition to be carried.

Resolved :

(1)        That the Head of Democratic Services obtain further information relating to             the City Council’s concerns that have been raised regarding Lancaster Boys    Club and whether these have been resolved.

(2)        That the Head of Democratic Services contact to the National Association of             Boys Clubs in conjunction with the County Council (subject to their             agreement) to express concerns raised regarding Lancaster Boys Club.

(3)        That the decision whether to appoint a Council representative on the             Executive Committee of Lancaster Boys Club, be deferred until Officers can             clarify the issues set out above.

Report of Head of Democratic Services. 

Members were requested to consider a report of the Head of Democratic Services detailing draft guidance and protocols for Members.

It was reported that Group Administrators had considered a number of matters relating to the conduct of elected Members and their behaviour at meetings, and it had been agreed that officers draft a policy for such matters for further discussion.

Members were advised of the options for this guidance.

The Committee discussed the proposed Guidance for Members at length and unanimously agreed that it should not be formalised and included within the Council’s Constitution, but that it should be included in a ‘Handbook for Members’ being produced as part of the induction and training package prior to the 2007 elections containing guidance and information for both new and existing Councillors.

An informal steer was given on topics  which could usefully included.

Resolved :

That guidance for Members on the lines set out in the report and further developed by the Head of Democratic Services,  be included in a ‘Handbook for Members’ being produced as part of the induction and training package prior to the 2007 elections containing guidance and information for both new and existing Councillors.