MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE MODERNISING PANEL HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2001 COMMENCING AT 2:00 PM

Present :

Mrs B Lawson (Chairman), Mr M J Cunningham, Mr G S Kendall, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr R A Sutton

Apologies :

Mrs D Gardiner

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2001 be confirmed.

6. REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES - REVIEW OF THE MODERNISATION AGENDA

The Panel continued with its consideration of the report of the Strategic Director on a number of issues that had arisen since the Council adopted its current constitution.

The following matters were considered:

Liaison Committee Procedure Rules

The Panel considered the procedure rules that had been agreed by the Liaison Committee to enable it to operate more effectively. It was noted that the Liaison Committee was an informal meeting with no powers, but that its role was to ensure good co-ordination between the various Select Committees. The Panel suggested that to ensure that the role of the Liaison Committee was clear that the words "The Liaison Committee is not an overarching Scrutiny Committee" should be added as the first item under heading 1 in the procedure rules.

Overarching Scrutiny Panel

The Panel considered the report of the Head of Select Committee Support that had been considered by the Liaison Committee as requested by Council at its meeting on 20 June 2001. The recommendation from the Liaison Committee that no such Panel be established at this stage was also noted. Whilst noting the views of the Liaison Committee the Panel also considered other views that suggested that an Overarching Scrutiny Panel was required to consider corporate matters. The Panel felt that given the differing views it would recommend the report and recommendations of the Liaison Committee be referred to Council without comment.

Shadow Representatives

The Panel considered the issue of shadow representatives and what rights such a status could entail. Whilst generally the establishment of shadow representatives was welcomed the Panel felt that it was for Council to consider and decide this matter and therefore this was referred without comment.

Executive, Select and Regulatory Committee minutes going to Full Council

Given that minutes of the various meetings of the Council are circulated to members a variety of ways and are now available on the intranet and internet it was agreed that Council should be recommended to remove the requirement that copies of the minutes be attached to the Council agenda.

Arising from this matter the Panel felt that consideration should be given to officer support to members in general and in particular the possible appointment of political assistants. A report would be prepared for a future meeting of the Panel.

The Council's Procedure Rules

It was noted that at a future meeting of the Panel the revised Council Procedure rules and a number of other documents forming part of the constitution would be submitted for consideration.

RESOLVED :

(a) THAT officers report back to a future meeting on the issue of additional officer support for members including the possibility of political assistants.

(b) THAT the various issues as set out above be included in the Panel's final report to the Executive.

7. NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED :

THAT the next meeting of the Panel be held on Wednesday 9 January 2002 at 2pm. (Following the meeting and owing to various members and officers not being available this meeting was re-arranged for Tuesday 8 January 2002 at 2pm).

CHAIRMAN