Contact: Email: democraticservices@northampton.gov.uk
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Items
No. |
Item |
1. |
Apologies
Minutes:
Apologies for
absence were received from Councillors Caswell and Parekh.
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2. |
Minutes PDF 75 KB
To
approve the minutes of the meeting held on 7th June
2011
Minutes:
The minutes of the
meeting held on 7th June 2011 were approved and signed
by the Chiarman.
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3. |
Declarations of Interest
Minutes:
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4. |
Deputations / Public Addresses
Minutes:
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5. |
Matters of Urgency which by reason of special circumstances the chair is of the opinion should be considered
Minutes:
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6. |
Work Programme 2011/12 PDF 313 KB
Committee to
consider the draft work programme for 2011/12.
Minutes:
The Committee
considered a report on the Work Programme for 2011/12.
The main points of
discussion were;-
- Members felt that
other issues regarding electoral registration should be considered.
In particular a review of where polling stations were sited and
their general accessibility. This was a matter that had been raised
previously.
- Members were
advised that all service areas had been contacted and asked if
there were issues that they wished to raise. If Members wished to
examine polling stations issues then that should be raised with the
Service itself and the Returning Officer who has statutory
responsibility for elections.
- The timing of the
Health and Safety Monitoring report was questioned. There was some
concern that there would be additional Health and Safety
implications to workers in the winter due to street lighting
changes. However the Head of HR stated that reporting statistics
would not be available any earlier. It was considered that any
individuals who had concerns over the impact any changes may have
should discuss them with their managers.
- The Committee
considered that it should receive an update on the impact of the
Localism Bill. The Bill is in the stages of being considered by the
Lords and the Borough Solicitor advised that the indicative date
for the Bills enactment is November 2011, although it could be
later. Amendments have been proposed by the Lords and at this stage
it is still uncertain what some of the impacts will be. It was
emphasised that there will be a significant need for training when
the implications are fully known.
- Any direct impacts
from the Localism Bill on Planning, Standards etc will be
considered by the relevant Committee.
- There was
discussion around the Council’s Reward and Recognition
Strategy. The relevance of external awards in terms of Value for
Money was also challenged. Officers felt that external awards,
particularly those such as Charter Marks were valued by staff. It
was noted that some aspects of the Reward and Recognition Strategy
would be covered by the consideration of the People Plan, but it
was emphasised that that was a strategic document, not an Action
Plan.
It was
therefore
RESOLVED
(1) That
the work programme be agreed.
(2) That
the Elections Service and the Returning Officer be asked for an
update on the position regarding a potential polling station
review, and that response be bought to Committee in September. If
appropriate a full report would then be bought to the November
Committee.
(3) That
an update report on the impact of the Localism Bill be bought to
the November Committee, if appropriate.
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