Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting on 13^th September are attached for information.

That the minutes of the meeting held on the 13^th September 2021 be approved.

Report attached.

Jacqui Dennis, Council Monitoring Officer, provided Members with regards to recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel in relation to the Members’ Allowances scheme. The Panel reviewed all aspects of the scheme and the recommendations brought a number of payments in line with other Greater Manchester Boroughs and ensured consistency. Members noted that the basic allowance was recommended to increase to £10,791 (inclusive of all travel, subsidence and phone allowance).

The Mayor as Chair reported that prior to this meeting, the Group Leaders had met at the Democratic Arrangements Forum (DAF) to discuss the content of the report.  The Chair reported that the Members had discussed the allowances for Leaders and Deputy Leaders of Other Opposition Parties. It was agreed that the workload for Leaders did not diminish with a smaller Group membership and the expectations of the post were being reinforced through the Constitution, and it would therefore be unreasonable to share the Leader’s allowance.

The Chair report that the DAF had proposed the following recommendations:

1. That DAF propose the Leader of Other Opposition Party SRA be £5,352 each; and
2. That DAF propose the Deputy Leader of other Opposition Party SRA be removed.

Members discussed the report, noting and agreeing with the proposed changes as discussed at the Democratic Arrangements Forum.

It was agreed:

An amended Independent Remuneration Panel Report will be considered at Council on 24^th November 2021.

Report attached.

Following discussion of this item at previous meetings, Jacqui Dennis, Council Monitoring Officer further updated Members on the development of a revised Code of Conduct.  The Monitoring Officer reported that the Local Government Association had issued updated guidance on a new model code of conduct, most recently in July 2021. 

Colleagues from across Greater Manchester have agreed to look to adopt a Code of Conduct across all ten Greater Manchester Authorities, including the Combined Authority. 

Members agreed to:

1. Defer consideration and recommendations regarding adoption of the LGA model code pending the receipt of central government’s response the Committee on Standards in Public Life recommendations and any legislative changes

2. Request a further report on this to its next meeting and that this be added to the Committee’s workplan

Report attached.

Jacqui Dennis, Council Monitoring Officer, provided Members with an update in relation to proposed changes to the Council’s Constitution.

·         Proposed changes:

1. Reduction in the number of Articles

2. Proposed Updates to the Council Procedure Rules It is proposed to separate Council procedure rules to Committee procedure rules, this change will allow the rules to be more clearly set out within the constitution and aid accessibility.

In addition the following changes are proposed.

· Changes to the items of business which may be carried out at Council · Notice of written questions · Time Extended for oral questions · Questions to the Combined Authority and updates · Emergency Motions, when a motion can be withdrawn and exceptions · Clarification of interests under the code of conduct · State of the Borough debate

3. Proposed Updates to the Committee Procedure Rules - These Committee rules will apply to all meetings of the Cabinet, Scrutiny, Regulatory Committees, the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Corporate Parenting Board.

In addition this report seeks Council's approval to amend the Constitution to incorporate the following agreed changes:

· Time of meetings – amendment to allow the ability to hold additional meetings · Member question time – Meetings of cabinet and scrutiny · Voting on appointments · Suspension and amendment of rules · Clarification regarding interests under the Code of conduct · Programme of work · Members and Officers giving account – clarified wording in relation to scrutiny work · Post call in · Inclusion of the call in procedure

4. Amendments to the Cabinet Portfolios –The report seeks Council's approval to amend the Constitution to incorporate the changes in the Cabinet portfolios following Annual Council

5. Details of the updated Committee membership

6. Details of constitution review schedule

It was agreed:

A revised Constitution would be consider at the next meeting of Full Council due to be held on 24^th November 2021.

17^th January 2022 Councillor Complaints / Ethical Governance within the Council / Member training

1^st March 2022 – Items to be confirmed

17.1.2022 - Councillor Complaints / Ethical Governance within the Council / Member training

1.3.2022 – Items to be confirmed