Agenda item

Report of Head of Governance

Members received the report of the Head of Governance to enable the Committee to approve an updated scheme of delegation to officers in respect of matters within its terms of reference.

The Senior Licensing Officer advised that the Council’s Scheme of Delegation to Officers was contained in Part 3, Section 15 of the Council’s Constitution and was being revised.  Appended to the report was a revised list of officer delegations in respect of the areas of work which fell within the remit of the Licensing Act Committee.  The list had been updated to ensure that the correct officer titles were used and that the relevant legislation referred to was up-to-date.

Members were advised that the determination of film classifications where there had been no classification by the British Board of Film Classification was currently delegated to the Head of Governance, in consultation with the Chairman of Licensing Act Committee.

Under the rules of delegation, the person to whom a decision was delegated could refer a particular decision back to the delegating body for decision, and it was noted that, in the event of a more controversial film, it was likely that the Head of Governance would wish to do this.

It was recommended that the Scheme of Delegation be amended to allow the Head of Governance to refer a decision in such circumstances to a Sub-Committee of three members, rather than to the full Licensing Act Committee, which would be cumbersome and contrary to the principle that the work of the Committee, in dealing with individual cases, be carried out by Sub-Committees.

Councillor Woodruff advised of his concerns regarding the proposal that the Scheme of Delegation be amended to allow the Head of Governance to refer a decision, in the event of a more controversial film, where there had been no classification by the British Board of Film Classification, to a Sub-Committee of three members, rather than to the full Licensing Act Committee.  This, in his opinion, would place too much power in too few hands.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodruff and seconded by Councillor Aitchison:

“That the terms of reference of the Licensing Act Sub-Committee, in Part 3, Section 4 of the Constitution be amended as follows:

‘To determine film classification restrictions where there has been no classification by the British Board of Film Classification, and where the Head of Governance considers it appropriate in view of the nature of the particular film, the matter shall be referred to the Licensing Act Committee.’”

Upon being put to the vote, 9 Members voted in favour of the proposition and 2 in objection, whereupon the Chairman declared the proposal to be carried.

It was then proposed by Councillor Greenall and seconded by Councillor Sykes:

“That the delegations to officers, as set out in Appendix 1, for inclusion in the Council’s Constitution as part of the Scheme of Delegation to Officers, be approved, as amended.”

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

Resolved:

(1)        That the terms of reference of the Licensing Act Sub-Committee, in Part 3, Section 4 of the Constitution be amended as follows:

‘To determine film classification restrictions where there has been no classification by the British Board of Film Classification, and where the Head of Governance considers it appropriate in view of the nature of the particular film, the matter shall be referred to the Licensing Act Committee.’

(2)        That the delegations to officers, as set out in Appendix 1, for inclusion in the Council’s Constitution as part of the Scheme of Delegation to Officers, be approved, as amended.