Agenda and draft minutes

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of meeting held on 10 December, 2024 (previously circulated).

The minutes of the meeting held 10 December 2024 were signed as a correct record.

There were no items of urgent business.

To receive declarations by Councillors of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Councillors are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Councillors should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Councillors are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

There were no declarations of interest.

Report of the Corporate Health and Safety Manager.

The Senior Corporate Health and Safety Manager addressed the Committee to present a draft guidance document on personal safety for Councillors. This was produced as a result of the Health and Safety Corporate Review identifying that Councillors could potentially be at risk of experiencing conflict situations while undertaking Council duties.

After the Committee discussed the report and made one minor formatting correction, it was proposed by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Wood and unanimously resolved as follows.

Resolved: -

1)     That the Guidance on Health and Safety for Councillors document be approved and adopted.

2)     That the document also be shared with Parish Councils within the district.

Report of the Chief Officer – People and Policy.

The Communications & Media Relations Manager presented a proposed updated Media Guideline Protocol. As this formed part of the constitution, Council Business Committee was asked for formal approval as per its terms of reference.

After hearing a summary of the report, it was proposed by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor McGowan and resolved unanimously as follows.

Resolved: -

That Council Business Committee approves the updated Media Guidelines Protocol for inclusion in the constitution.

Report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections.

Published 13 February 2025

The Senior Manager Democratic Support and Elections addressed the Committee to discuss an invitation for the Mayor to visit the Mayor of Lublin and to ask the Committee to consider whether a visit was appropriate so that a response might be sent.

After discussing the background to the invitation, the costs involved and whether the visit would cause any complications in the pre-election period it was proposed by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Stubbins and agreed unanimously as follows.

Resolved: -

That the Mayor should make an official visit to Lublin as per the invitation from the Mayor of Lublin.

Report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections.

The Senior Manager Democratic Support and Elections introduced the report asking the Committee to review the current arrangements for requesting training or conferences which required funding and to consider whether an annual strategy or policy document for Councillor Training and Development should be re-introduced.

The Committee was reminded of the current arrangement for requesting training and the Councillor Training and Development Strategy documents currently in place with some background as to their creation.

When asked for questions or comments the Committee expressed interest in having a renewed Councillor Training and Development Strategy and discussed possible intervals for review.

Training requests were also discussed with a view to raising the allowed limits in light of increased costs and the infrequent nature of such requests.

At the conclusion of discussion, it was moved by Councillor Parr that a Councillor Development and Training Strategy be formulated and reviewed every two years and that the training request funding allowances be increased to £500 with £750 for Committee Chairs and Cabinet members. This was seconded by Councillor Stubbins and the proposition was clearly carried

Resolved: -

1)     That a new Councillor Training and Development Strategy be produced and reviewed every 2 years.

2)     That the funding tiers for accessing training be increased to £750 for Chairs of Committees and Cabinet members and £500 for all other Councillors.

Report of the Senior Manager, Democratic Support and Elections.

The Committee was asked to note the Government’s online consultation on Strengthening the Standards and Conduct Framework for Local Authorities in England and consider making a response on behalf of the City Council.

After noting the consultation and agreeing unanimously to formulate a response at the meeting, the Committee discussed each question in turn and prepared answers for all relevant questions, which have been appended to these minute

Resolved: -

1)     That the Committee notes the Government’s consultation on Strengthening the Standards and Conduct Framework for Local Authorities in England.

2)     That the Council’s response to the Government consultation on Strengthening the Standards and Conduct Framework for Local Authorities in England, as appended to the minutes, be submitted on or before the deadline of 26 February 2025.