Agenda item - Covid-19 and Democratic Decision-Making

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Agenda item

Covid-19 and Democratic Decision-Making

Report of the Executive Lead Officer for Strategy, Governance & Law.

Minutes:

1.    Abraham Ghebre-Ghiorghis introduced the report before the committee that proposes the establishment of an Urgency Sub-Committee of the Planning Committee for urgent decision-making during the next 4 months taking into account the risk posed by the Covid-19 pandemic but also the need to preserve democratic accountability and compliance with legal requirements. The proposals have been developed with cross - party support follow consultation with Leaders Group.

 

Questions for Abraham Ghebre-Ghiorghis

 

2.    Councillor Joe Miller was informed that Policy & Resources Committee had given permission to officers to make decisions. Councillor Miller felt more committee members than three would be better for decision making and felt that a virtual meeting would be better, with perhaps the public phoning in to ask questions. It was noted that the Policy & Resources Committee felt that majority decisions were best and Councillors decisions cannot be overridden.

 

3.    Councillor Sue Shanks noted that the Committee was not political and a virtual meeting to include all committee members making decisions would be better. Councillor Shanks was informed that the report gave the committee options.

 

4.    Councillor Tracey Hill stated they would prefer more Members to be involved in the decision making process and noted that if an urgency sub-committee were to be called it would need to be agreed who would attend.

 

5.    Vote: The Committee voted unanimously to agree the recommendations.

 

6.    Resolved:

 

2.1 That Members note the risk that running Council meetings as usual poses and the need for a different approach;

 

2.2 That Members agree the establishment of a Planning (Urgency) Sub -Committee with a Membership of 1 Labour, 1 Green and 1 Conservative;

 

2.3 That Members note the general indicative approach as agreed by the Policy & Resources Committee;

 

2.4 That Members note the government’s intention to consider changes in legislation to allow remote meeting and remove the need to hold annual Council on a temporary basis and that officers will review the situation and report back to members as necessary.

 

 

Supporting documents:

 


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