Full Council
22 February 2012
Agenda Item No_____11________
CONSTITUTION ANNUAL REVIEW
Summary:
Conclusions:
Recommendations:
The purpose of this report is to advise members of the need to
nominate members to serve on the Constitution Working Party in
order to undertake the annual review of the Council’s Constitution.
In accordance with paragraph 14.1 in chapter 1 of the Constitution, the
Council needs to undertake a review at least annually. That review is
best undertaken through the Constitution Working Party. The review
should consider the need to make amendments arising from:
• new or amending legislation
•
relevant audit recommendations
•
operational experience of applying the Constitution since
April 2011
•
inconsistencies, referencing, formatting etc. identified within
the document
•
any other relevant review or change of circumstances.
Nominations have been requested and received from Group Leaders
for 3 Conservative members and 2 Liberal Democrat members to
serve on the Constitution Working Party, to undertake the annual
review of the content and operation of the Council’s Constitution, and
that recommendations arising from the review are scheduled to be
reported to Full Council on 18 April 2012. It is recommended that the
following members be appointed:
Mrs A M Fitch-Tillett, Ms V R Gay, Mr K E Johnson, Mrs A Moore
and Mrs H Thompson.
Cabinet member(s):
Ward(s) affected:
All
All
Tony Ing, Strategic Director – Information
01263 516080, tony.ing@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Contact Officer, telephone number,
and e-mail:
Full Council
22 February 2012
1.
Requirement to review the Constitution
1.1
The Council’s Constitution was subject to a full review in 2010/11, with the current
version being formally adopted by the Council in April 2011. In accordance with
paragraph 14.1 in Chapter 1 of the Constitution:
“The Council has responsibility for monitoring and reviewing the operation of the
Constitution to ensure that the aims and principles of the Constitution are given
full effect. Such monitoring and review shall take place at least annually and be
reported to Full Council.”
1.2
The purpose of this review will be to focus on any amendments that are necessary or
desirable arising from:
•
new or amending legislation (e.g. the Localism Act 2011)
•
relevant audit recommendations (e.g. the Corporate Governance audit)
•
operational experience of applying the Constitution since April 2011
•
inconsistencies, referencing, formatting etc. identified within the document
•
any other relevant review or change of circumstances (e.g. agreed recommendations
of the Independent Remuneration Panel).
2.
Convening the Constitution Working Party
2.1
It is proposed that the Council convenes the Constitution Working Party to undertake the
annual review of the Constitution. As a working party, it is subject to the rules of political
balance. Leaders are, therefore, invited to nominate individuals to serve on the
Constitution Working Party to fulfil the purpose set out in paragraph 1.2 above.
2.2
The current composition of the Council will mean Group Leaders have the option to
nominate the following number of member representatives to serve on the working party:
3 Conservatives
2 Liberal Democrats
2.3
It is anticipated the working party will need to meet on two or three occasions, over a
period of about five weeks, with a view to reporting to Full Council on 18 April 2012 with
recommended amendments.
3.
Financial Implications
3.1
There are no direct financial implications associated with the annual review of the
Constitution.
4.
Risks
4.1
In order to mitigate any potential risks associated with the Constitution, it is important
that the document is updated to reflect any new or amended, relevant legislation to
ensure the conduct of business and decision making processes are effective and legally
sound.
Full Council
22 February 2012
5.
Sustainability
5.1
There are no direct sustainability implications associated with the annual review of the
Constitution.
6.
Equality and Diversity
6.1
There are no direct equality and diversity implications associated with the annual review
of the Constitution. However, if there are any significant changes arising from the
review, they will be subject to an equality impact assessment before being adopted by
Council.
7.
Crime & Disorder
7.1
There are no direct crime and disorder implications associated with the annual review of
the Constitution.