Agenda and draft minutes
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Contact: Evelyn Akoto Tel: 020 7364 4207, E-mail: evelyn.akoto@towerhamlets.gov.uk
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ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIR At the Annual General Meeting of the Council held on 22nd May 2013, Councillor Shiria Khatun was appointed Chair of the General Purposes Committee for the Municipal Year 2013/2014.
However, it is necessary to elect a Vice-Chair of the General Purposes Committee for the Municipal Year 2013/2014.
Minutes:
RESOLVED
That Councillor Marc Francis be appointed as the Vice-Chair of the General Purposes Committee for the reminder of 2013-14 municipal year.
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: No apology for absence was receive. |
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DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS PDF 56 KB To note any declarations of interest made by Members, including those restricting Members from voting on the questions detailed in Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992.
See attached note from the Monitoring Officer.
Minutes: Councillors Craig Aston, Marc Francis and John Pierce declared that they knew some of the applicants applying for the positions of Local Authority Governor. Full details in restricted minutes. |
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UNRESTRICTED MINUTES PDF 121 KB To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the unrestricted minutes of the ordinary meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 27March 2013 and the Extraordinary Meeting held on 10th April 2013.
Additional documents: Minutes: The unrestricted minutes of the ordinary meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 27 March 2013 and the Extraordinary Meeting held on 10th April 2013 were agreed as a correct record of the proceedings. |
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REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION |
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Additional documents:
Minutes: John Williams, Head of Democratic Services, presented the report which set out for noting the General Purposes Committee Terms of Reference, Quorum, Membership and dates of meetings as agreed by the Council Annual General Meeting held on 22 May 2013.
In response to a question, the Head of Democratic Services gave the following answer: · It is possible for the Independent to have deputies on Committees. If this was requested, a report would have to be submitted to Full Council for the appointments to be made.
RESOLVED
That the General Purposes Committee note its Terms of Reference, Quorum, membership and Dates of future meetings as set out in the Appendices 1, 2, 3 of this report.
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Review of Virement Rules - update Report of the Corporate Director, Resources to follow Minutes: At the request of the Chair the Committee adjourned for 5 minutes to allow Members to read the report which had been tabled.
Upon reconvening, the Chair asked Chris Holme, Acting Director of Resources, to present the tabled update report. Chris Holme highlighted key points in the report, which provided details on the resolution from Council that changes to the Virement rules should be part of the wider governance review being undertaken. He continued that Eugene Sullivan, a former Chief Executive of the Audit Commission was appointed to provide input to the review, and had already met with representative from each of the major parties.
In response to questions, Chris Holme gave the following responses: • The governance review should be submitted to the General Purposes Committee in the autumn. A letter was sent to the Mayor and group leaders from the Head of Paid Service, setting out the time table. • The intention was that the governance report would be seen by the General Purpose Committee before being submitted to Full Council.
The Chair requested that Chris Holme email the governance review timetable to General Purposes Committee Members.
Members noted that the process for the governance review could be delayed due to the Committee’s meeting dates, and therefore proposed that Extraordinary General Purposes meetings could be held if deem necessary.
Action: Chris Holme
RESOLVED
That the Committee note the progress to date in undertaking the review.
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Ward Boundary Changes Update and Polling District Polling Place review PDF 89 KB Minutes: At the request of the Chair, John Williams, Head of Democratic Service presented the report and highlighted the following: • The Boundary Commission had confirmed their recommendation to reduce the Council size from 51 to 45. • There was an increase in the number of wards from 17 to 20, with a variety of Councillor Ward sizes. There would be 2 single-member wards; 11 two-member wards and 7 three-member wards. • The final recommendations included three minor changes; the significant changes were on ward names. • The Boundary Commission had confirmed that the draft order was laid in Parliament for a period of 40 sitting days, and if accepted would come into effect at the next elections in 2014. The first register based on the revised electoral arrangements would be published on 17th February 2014. • An objection was made by Canary Wharf group PLC with ‘Canary Wharf’ being used as one of the revised ward names. Their objection was on the basis that it is their trading name and also that the ward did not include the entire Canary Wharf group. The Boundary Commission have indicated that they would not be revising the ward name. Canary Wharf Group PLC had therefore asked the Council to use its discretional powers to make the change. A letter would be sent to the Mayor and group leaders about the representation made, to seek their views.
A discussion followed which focused on the implication and possible cost of the Council changing the proposed ward name. In response to questions John Williams, the Head of Democratic Services, and Louise Stamp, Electoral Services Manager gave the following answers: • The initial name for the area was ‘West India’, but representations received complaints that the name was not suitable and so ‘Canary Wharf’ was a last minute change. • The Council could use the Local Government Act to change the name of an existing ward, there are conditions attached and it would have to be with the permission of the Boundary Commission. If the council decided to pursue this, the timetable to make the change would be tight. • The new revised register would be available for candidates and agents on 17 February 2014, and that would be the first register published on the new warding structure. • As the electoral register would be published later than normal, it would be prudent for members to wait for the new information before canvassing.
John Williams, Head of Democratic Services highlighted key matters concerning the Polling District and Polling Place review: • The Boundary Commission did not take into account the current location of polling stations, as it is recognised that once the recommendations had been confirmed the authority would carry out a Polling District Review in light of the new boundaries. The last review on Polling Districts was in 2011 and the Committee agreed to leave the polling locations at that time in place pending the completion of the Electoral Review by the Boundary Commission. • John ... view the full minutes text for item 7. |
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EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC In view of the contents of the remaining items on the agenda the Committee is recommended to adopt the following motion:
“That, under the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting for the consideration of the Section Two business on the grounds that it contains information defined as Exempt in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972.”
EXEMPT SECTION (Pink Papers)
The exempt committee papers in the agenda will contain information, which is commercially, legally or personally sensitive and should not be divulged to third parties. If you do not wish to retain these papers after the meeting, please hand them to the Committee Officer present. Minutes: A motion to exclude the public and press was passed in the unrestricted part of the proceedings.
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RESTRICTED MINUTES To confirm as a correct record of the proceedings the restricted minutes of the ordinary meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 27March 2013.
Minutes: Please refer to restricted minutes. |
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Local Authority Governor Appointments Minutes: Please refer to restricted minutes. |