PAPER F
Committee : FULL COUNCIL
Date : 21 MARCH 2007
Title : SCRUTINY
COMMITTEE CO-OPTEE AND SCHEME OF CO-OPTION
REPORT OF THE CHAIR OF
THE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
PURPOSE
1.
To consider the
appointment of an independent member to the Scrutiny Committee, and to consider
amending the scheme for co-option to the Scrutiny Committee to reflect the life
of the Council.
BACKGROUND
2.
On 14 September 2005
Council approved the current scheme of co-option for the Scrutiny Committee,
which set the period of co-option at 2 years.
3.
On 23 November 2005
Council appointed Ms Sue Poston and Mr Anthony Marvin as independent members of
the Scrutiny Committee, in accordance with the approved scheme of co-option.
4.
Mr Anthony Marvin retired
as an independent member of the Scrutiny Committee in January 2007. This vacancy has been advertised and
informal interviews have taken place.
STRATEGIC CONTEXT
5.
Having robust scrutiny
arrangements is important for CPA. This
Council is leading the way with co-opting independent public members to its
Scrutiny Committee.
CONSULTATION
6.
Consultation has been
exclusively internal.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
7.
Replacing a co-opted
member of the Scrutiny Committee, and amending the scheme of co-option to
reflect the life of this Council can both be achieved within existing budget
allocation.
8.
The independent co-opted
members of the Scrutiny Committee receive an allowance of £1,552 per
annum. Payment of these allowances are
within budget.
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
9.
The Local Government Act
2000 sets out the requirement for a Scrutiny function to review or scrutinise
decisions made, and to make reports or recommendations. Co-optees are provided for by the Local
Government Act 2003. A co-opted member
may be given permission to vote at meetings of the Scrutiny Committee only in
accordance with a scheme made by the Council.
Without such a scheme being in place the independent co-optees have no
voting rights.
EVALUATION/RISK MANAGEMENT
10.
Not appointing a second
independent co-optee could dilute the effectiveness and transparency of the
Scrutiny Committee. Although this
Council was treading new territory when it made the decision to appoint
independent co-optees to the Scrutiny Committee, they have proved successful in
terms of providing a voice from the public perspective.
11.
Not amending the scheme
of co-option would mean losing the experience and expertise the existing
independent member has gained since joining the Scrutiny Committee in November
2005.
12.
The risk of giving a vote
to an independent member is mitigated by the strict criteria set out in the
Person Specification which they must satisfy.
This criteria includes independence, integrity and credibility.
OPTIONS
13.
Following an informal
interview with the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee, a member of
the Scrutiny Committee, the Democratic Services Manager and the Overview
& Scrutiny Team Manager, Mr Charles Rogers is put
forward to be appointed as an independent member of the Scrutiny Committee.
14.
In order that the scheme
for co-option accords with the life of the Council, and to make best use of the
experience and skills developed by the existing independent member of the
Scrutiny Committee, it is also proposed that the scheme for co-option be
amended as set out in the Appendix to this report. Amending the scheme in this way will extend the existing
independent co-optees term from 2 years to the life of this Council. Such an extension of term requires the
scheme for co-option to be amended, and any amendment to the scheme will need
to be advertised as soon as reasonably practicable.
15.
The options are therefore
as follows:
i.
To appoint Mr Charles Rogers as an independent member of the Scrutiny
Committee.
ii.
To make no appointment to the Scrutiny Committee.
iii.
To amend the scheme of co-option as set out in the appendix to this
report.
iv.
To
make no amendment to the scheme for co-option.
RECOMMENDATIONS
16.
That Mr Charles Rogers be appointed as an independent member of the
Scrutiny Committee.
17.
That the scheme for co-option be amended as set out in the Appendix to
this report.
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APPENDICES
18.
Appendix 1 – Scheme for
Co-Option
Contact Point : Chris Mathews, Democratic Services
Manager ( 823280 [email protected]
ALISON
LOWTON CLLR
GEOFF LUMLEY
Interim Director of Legal and Democratic Chair of the Scrutiny Committee
Services
APPENDIX 1
ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL
SECTION 115 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2003
SCHEME OF CO-OPTION TO THE COUNCIL’S
OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY FUNCTIONS
Number of Co-opted members – Two.
Voting rights – Yes.
Period of co-option – Until
the date of the usual elections in 2009.
Committee for which co-option applicable – Scrutiny Committee.
Background required – Should be from a
voluntary or public sector background, demonstrate independence, integrity,
relevant experience and personal credibility and have a commitment to equality
and diversity. The skills of the co-optees should complement, rather than
duplicate each other.
Role and Duties – Attendance at regular
monthly evening meetings together with background preparation and liaison with
elected members, officers and the wider community where appropriate together
with all other roles and duties contained within the Job Profile for Scrutiny
Members as contained in the Council’s Constitution, and satisfy the Person
Specification for Scrutiny Committee co-opted members.
Allowances – There will be an allowance
payable in the sum of £1,552 per annum.