Issue - meetings

This report asks Council to approved updated arrangements for the discharge of functions by the ‘proper officer’ of the Council and designation of statutory roles.

The Council considered a report seeking approval for the arrangements for proper officer designations and various statutory roles.

The Chief Executive left the Chamber for consideration of this item.

On a motion from Councillor Paul Crossley, seconded by Councillor Tim Warren, it was

RESOLVED

1.  To approve the arrangements set out in Appendix 1 to the report;

2.  To authorise the Monitoring Officer & Divisional Director (Legal & Democratic Services) to update the Constitution to give effect to the arrangements approved; and

with regard to the arrangements relating to Elections and Scrutiny;

3.  That under the Representation of the People Act 1983 and all related legislation with effect from 1^st June 2015, Dr Jo Farrar be appointed as Electoral Registration Officer;

4.  That under Section 41 of the Local Government Act 1972 and all related legislation, and with effect from 1st June 2015, Dr Jo Farrar be appointed as Returning Officer for the Council, with authority to act in that capacity for elections to the Council and all or any parish and town councils within the Council area;

5.  That the Council’s Electoral Registration Officer be authorised to act in respect of all related electoral, poll or referendum duties, including in relation to parliamentary elections, elections to the European Parliament and national and regional polls or referenda;

6.  That it be agreed that, in relation to the conduct of local authority elections and polls, and elections to the United Kingdom Parliament, and all other electoral duties where the Council is entitled by law to do so, the Council shall take out and maintain in force insurance indemnifying the Council and the Returning Officer against legal expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the defence of any proceedings brought against the Council or the Returning Officer and/or the cost of holding another election in the event of the original election being declared invalid (provided that such proceedings or invalidation are the result of the accidental contravention of the Representation of the Peoples Act or other legislation governing the electoral process, or accidental breach of any ministerial or other duty by the Returning Officer or any other person employed by or officially acting for her in connection with the election or poll);

7.  That it be agreed that in the event of such insurance carrying an ‘excess’ clause by which an initial portion of risk is not insured, the Council will indemnify the Returning Officer up to the value of such excess.

8.  That the Head of Legal & Democratic Services (with effect from 1st June 2015) and the Electoral Services Officer be appointed as Deputy Electoral Registration Officers;

9.  That the Policy Development and Scrutiny Lead Officer be designated as the Statutory Scrutiny Officer under Section 31 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.

[Note: - The above resolutions were carried with all Councillors voting in favour except for Councillor Loraine Morgan-Brinkhurst who voted against, and Councillor Caroline Roberts who abstained.]