Draft minutes

Background to the Group:-

Following the decision by the Secretary of State to appoint Commissioners to assume certain powers in managing the Council, it was also announced that he would ask the Commissioners to review the governance arrangements.

Before making any decisions, the Commissioners wished to have the views of Members and the community of Rotherham.  The Working Group had been established at the 3^rd June, 2015, Council meeting to review and examine the issues and report the views of the political parties and of the independent Councillors to the Commissioners.

The Review Group would report their findings to the Commissioners within 6 months who would then report to the Secretary of State with any decision being made in advance of the 2016 elections.

Working Group’s Terms of Reference:-

1.    To consider the main governance options

2.    Conduct an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of such models

3.    Investigate how the models have been implemented elsewhere in the United Kingdom and to consider independent evidence regarding their success

4.    Consider the case for change, including the strengths and weaknesses of the current decision making arrangement

5.    Formulate recommendations on the way forward for the Council

6.    The purpose, role and duties of Members to include decision making, scrutiny, community leadership and representation

7.    To review the Scheme of Delegation to ensure that it is streamlined and with the appropriate levels of delegation to officers and properly supports the new governance arrangements

8.    To consider the appropriate number of Elected Members that will be required under the new governance arrangements with a view to inviting the Local Government Boundary Commission for England to conduct an electoral review

Agreed at the meeting:-

-          That officers contact authorities that had implemented the Committee system and report back to the next meeting;

-          That a survey be sent to all Elected Members asking what their priorities were and the amount of time spent undertaking activities as a Councillor;

-          An executive summary be prepared and published at the end of each meeting.