Decision details

Decision details

Management of Council Business During the COVID-19 pandemic

Decision Maker: Council

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

To recommend to members how the Council might manage its business during the Covid 19 pandemic

Decisions:

Council received a report of the Group Head of Democracy and Governance which sought Council approval to cancel all committees and sub-committees until such time as legislation is passed to allow virtual meetings.

 

Councillor Sharpe moved an amendment, which was seconded by Councillor Collett –

 

Delete Items 3.2 and 3.3 replace with

 

3.2    That in relation to the functions normally exercised by the Development Management Committee these be delegated to the Group Head of Place / Head of Development Management / Development Management Team Leader (with preference given to the Group Head and Head) with the members of Development Management Committee with the requirement for their views to be provided via a virtual meeting before the officer formally takes the delegated decision having due regard to the views of members as shown by the outcome of the virtual meeting and that the normal rules of Development Management allowing one person in favour and one objector to speak be continued.

 

3.3    That in relation to any of the functions normally exercised by the Licensing Sub Committee that these be delegated to the Group Head of Community and Environmental Services / Head of Community Protection / Environmental Health Managers with members of the sub-committee being required to provide their views via a virtual meeting before the officer formally takes the delegated decision having due regard to the views of members as shown by the outcome of the virtual meeting. That applicants and those making representations be advised that only written submissions will be accepted.”

 

The Chairman asked that the proposals be reviewed and reversed when the current government restrictions were lifted.

 

On being put to Council the amendment was AGREED.

 

RESOLVED –

 

1.      that all meetings of council committees and sub-committees be cancelled until such time as legislation is put in place to allow meetings to be held virtually.

 

2.      that in relation to the functions normally exercised by the Development Management Committee these be delegated to the Group Head of Place / Head of Development Management / Development Management Team Leader (with preference given to the Group Head and Head) with the members of Development Management Committee with the requirement for their views to be provided via a virtual meeting before the officer formally takes the delegated decision having due regard to the views of members as shown by the outcome of the virtual meeting and that the normal rules of Development Management allowing one person in favour and one objector to speak be continued.

 

3.      that in relation to any of the functions normally exercised by the Licensing Sub Committee that these be delegated to the Group Head of Community and Environmental Services / Head of Community Protection / Environmental Health Managers with members of the sub-committee being required to provide their views via a virtual meeting before the officer formally takes the delegated decision having due regard to the views of members as shown by the outcome of the virtual meeting. That applicants and those making representations be advised that only written submissions will be accepted.

 

4.      that any working group be conducted virtually if possible.

Report author: Carol Chen

Publication date: 26/03/2020

Date of decision: 17/03/2020

Decided at meeting: 17/03/2020 - Council

Accompanying Documents:

 

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