Decision details

Members considered the report of the Executive Directors that set out proposed emergency arrangements in light of the Corona (Covic-19) pandemic to enable the Council to continue to operate critical business.  

It was MOVED by Councillor Oliver and seconded by Councillor Mrs Bayliss that the amended Motions, as set out and circulated to all present be approved and adopted.

It was further MOVED by Councillor Vine-Hall and seconded by Councillor Timpe that the Motion be amended by the inclusion of “… or in their absence the Vice-Chairman” at paragraphs 3 ii) and iii) below.

It was further agreed that the nominated Member of the opposition to be consulted on any critical (Executive Functions) business be Councillor C.R. Maynard, Conservative Group Leader.

RESOLVED: That as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic:

1)     all scheduled meetings be suspended until further notice;

2)     in respect of critical (Executive Functions) business that cannot wait delegated authority be granted to the Council’s Executive Directors (or in their absence one of the Statutory Post Holders (Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer or in their absence a Head of Service) following agreement with the Leader (or in their absence, the Deputy Leader of the Council) and in consultation with a minimum of four Members of Cabinet and Councillor C.R. Maynard, Conservative Group Leader, to make a decision remotely;

3)     in respect of critical business that cannot wait delegated authority be granted to the Council’s Executive Directors (or in their absence one of the Statutory Post Holders (Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer or in their absence a Head of Service) that a decision on a matter should be taken remotely before the next scheduled meeting in relation to:

i.       the Audit and Standards Committee (A&S) – to delegate the functions of the A&S Committee in so far as the law allows to the Executive Director, following agreement with the Chairman of the Committee.

ii.      the Licensing and General Purposes Committee (L&GP) – to delegate the functions of the L&GP Committee in so far as the law allows to the Executive Director, following agreement with the Chairman of the Committee or in their absence the Vice-Chairman.

iii.     the Planning Committee – to delegate the functions of the Planning Committee in so far as the law allows to the Executive Director following agreement with the Chairman of the Committee or in their absence the Vice-Chairman.

4)     Member non-attendance be considered as an absence approved by the Council until further notice; 

5)     the Constitution be amended temporarily; and

6)     the Chairman of Council and all Committee Chairmen and Membership remain as currently constituted until such times as the Annual Council meeting can be held.