Meeting documents

Councillor Crossley welcomed everyone to the first Council Executive meeting and gave a brief explanation of how the meeting would be conducted. He also thanked officers for their hard work in preparing for this new way of working.

The Chair(person) drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out on the Agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made.

There was none.

There were none.

There were none.

Councillor Crossley drew attention first to the June Executive Forward Plan (Appendix 1) and explained that the publication date for the July Forward plan would be 21^st June. The July Plan would incorporate various amendments and additions, which will be highlighted: but he also drew attention to some key changes for the next two months, as set out below;

· `School Organisation Plan' has moved from June to July

· `Action Plan following 2020 vision' has moved from June to July, awaiting the final report

· `Norton Radstock Regeneration Company' has moved from June to July

· `Culture and Leisure Best Value Review Final report' has moved from June to July to allow for greater input from the Portfolio holder

· `Cultural Strategy' has moved from July to September to allow for more consultation

· `Annual Library Plan' has moved from July to September to allow for more consultation

· `North & Central Bath Area Review' has been temporarily suspended due to the by-election and a new date is to be advised

· `Summary Performance & Financial Exception report' will be done on an exceptional basis, if required.

With regard to the Executive portfolios (Appendix 2), Councillor Crossley explained that CCTV was to be added to the Community Safety, Housing and Consumer Services portfolio.

Councillor Crossley ran through some amendments to the list of Possible Executive Advisory Bodies (Appendix 3) which will be incorporated into a revised list.

With regard to the List of Appointments to Outside Bodies (Appendix 4), Councillor Crossley informed the meeting that certain bodies would move between portfolios in line with the amended portfolio responsibilties. He also explained that the Labour Group had chosen not to take up their places on Outside Bodies which report to portfolio holders where places were not proportional. He explained that these would be left as Labour vacancies until resignations were received, at which point consideration would be given to filling the places. Councillor Crossley then ran through various amendments to the list, which will be incorporated into a revised list.

On a motion from Councillor Crossley, seconded by Councillor Todd, it was

RESOLVED

(1) That the workplan arrangements be noted;

(2) That the dates, times and venues of meetings be agreed (but kept under review)

(3) That the portfolio details (attached as Appendix 2 to the report) be approved, subject to the inclusion of CCTV within the Community Safety, Housing and Consumer Services portfolio and subject to any further amendments agreed by the Leader under delegated authority from the Council;

(4) That the Council Executive agrees which `whole Executive' Advisory bodies it wishes to establish (as set out on the amended list) to include;

(5) That the Council Executive authorises the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to determine any changes to the appointments made on external bodies.

Councillor Tapper introduced the final draft of the Bath and North East Somerset Health Improvement and Modernisation Programme (HIMP) for 2002-2005.

On a motion from Councillor Tapper, seconded by Councillor Hedges, it was

RESOLVED to endorse the Bath and North East Somerset Health Improvement and Modernisation Programme 2002 - 2005 and recommend it to Council as a Policy and Budget Framework item.

Councillor Tapper introduced this plan and explained how it had been an example of good partnership working. On her motion, and seconded by Councillor Curran, it was

RESOLVED

(6) To endorse the review and recommend it to Council; and

(7) To delegate its publication at the appropriate stage to the Strategic Director of Social and Housing Services.

Councillors Symonds, Metcalfe and Todd introduced the reports relevant to their portfolios and responded to various contributions from the Public and other Members.

There was considerable discussion regarding the experimental Voter Interest Panel and the issue of increasing voter turnout by postal voting. On conclusion of this discussion, the meeting was reminded that postal voting was available to any voter on request.

On a motion from Councillor Symonds, seconded by Councillor Metcalfe, it was

RESOLVED that the 3 reports are referred back to the appropriate portfolio holder for consideration, with a view to reporting back to Council by September 2002, on further action.

Councillor Todd introduced this Strategy for supporting elected Members in a modernised Council.

Executive Members responded to various points from other Members about aspects of the Stragegy.

On a motion from Councillor Todd, seconded by Councillor Dawson, it was

RESOLVED

(8) To welcome the Members Support Strategy;

(9) Before adopting it, the Executive wishes to extend consultation by inviting comment from the Overview & Scrutiny Management Board in time to adopt the Strategy no later than September.

Councillor Metcalfe introduced this report and explained that for the Joint Committee on Strategic Planning and Transportation (paragraph 4.1 (2)), the Joint Agreement was that the single Executive Member from each Unitary Authority had voting rights (one vote per Authority). Other Members attend and participate fully. Should the Executive Member not attend, there will be a nominated substitute who would have voting rights.

The Solicitor to the Council recommended adding to the list of Joint Arrangements, `Petroleum and Explosives Licensing'.

On a motion from Councillor Metcalfe, seconded by Councillor Symonds, it was

RESOLVED

(10) That the functions described in the Joint Arrangements listed in paragraph 4.1 of the report (and including Petroleum and Explosives Licensing) and detailed in the background papers, be discharged on behalf of the Council Executive in the manner outlined in Appendix 3 to the Constitution of the Council; and

(11) That the Chief Executive notify interested parties of the Executive's decision in this respect.