To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 July 2020 (Minute Nos. 718 - 722) as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 July 2020 (Minute Nos. 718 – 722) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Councillors should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for  themselves or their spouse, civil partner or person with whom they are living with as a spouse or civil partner.  They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

The Chairman will ask Members if they have any interests to declare in respect of items on this agenda, under the following headings:

(a)          Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI) under the Localism Act 2011.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DPI, the Member must leave the meeting and not take part in the discussion or vote.  This applies even if there is provision for public speaking.

(b)          Disclosable Non Pecuniary (DNPI) under the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council in May 2012.  The nature as well as the existence of any such interest must be declared.  After declaring a DNPI interest, the Member may stay, speak and vote on the matter.

(c)          Where it is possible that a fair-minded and informed observer, having considered the facts would conclude that there was a real possibility that the Member might be predetermined or biased the Member should declare their predetermination or bias and then leave the meeting while that item is considered.

Advice to Members:  If any Councillor has any doubt about the existence or nature of any DPI or DNPI which he/she may have in any item on this agenda, he/she should seek advice from the Monitoring Officer, the Head of Legal or from other Solicitors in Legal Services as early as possible, and in advance of the Meeting.

No interests were declared.

Reports to-follow.

Report added 25 September 2020.

The Cabinet Member for Planning introduced the report which set out proposed amendments to the Constitution to be agreed by Council as outlined in Appendix I and II attached to the report.

In response to questions from Members, the Monitoring Officer clarified that recommendation (1) sought agreement to remove the responsibility for agreeing Conservation Area statements and actions plans as a Planning Committee function.

Recommended:

(1)  That Council consider responsibility for agreeing Conservation Area statements and action plans to become an executive function as at Appendix I.

(2) That Council agree the scheme of officer delegations be updated to reflect the cabinet decision on anti-idling legislation as at Appendix II