Issue - meetings

This report sets out the progress made on implementing the decisions of Council on 8 November 2018.

The Council considered a report setting out the progress made on implementing the decisions of Council on 8^th November 2018 with regard to the governance arrangements and re-configuration of the Shareholder group.

On a motion from Councillor Richard Samuel, seconded by Councillor Sarah Moore, it was

RESOLVED

1.  To amend the Protocol to adopt the proposed new Shareholder Group incorporating enhanced scrutiny arrangements by Group Leaders.

2.  To suspend the Protocol in respect of a requirement to incorporate or operate a holding company structure until further review; and

3.  To delegate to the s.151 Officer, in consultation with the Leader, the decision on when to re-instate the Protocol requirement to operate a holding company structure.

[Notes;

1.  The above resolution was carried with 42 Councillors voting in favour, and 10 Councillors voting against.]

This report provides an opportunity for scrutiny of the proposed changes to the Council’s Protocol on Council company governance.

The Corporate Director introduced this report to the Panel. He explained that they were receiving the report ahead of the Council meeting on 10^th October.

He said that he was Chair of the current working group that had revised the arrangements that are being proposed.

He informed the Panel it is proposed that the current role of the Shadow Holding company is overseen by a client group consisting of Council officers closely connected with the subject matter of the type of trading the company intends to conduct. He added that the proposed new Shareholder Group would incorporate enhanced scrutiny arrangements by Group Leaders.

The Chair said that he welcomed the proposals as the structure will deliver additional scrutiny. He added that confidentiality is a key issue on these matters and the message must be clear to all those involved.

The Director for Legal & Democratic Services highlighted the following wording from the Terms of Reference.

The Cabinet will make decisions concerning companies in which the Council is or is proposed to become a shareholder. Information provided is commercially confidential to the Council companies and must be held in Strict Confidence and must not be divulged by the members in receipt of it save for the purpose for which it is disclosed.

The Panel RESOLVED to note the proposed amendments to the Protocol.