The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED – That, subject to the aforementioned, the work programme and topic selection form set out in report COGC/101/24s be agreed.
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Beryl Blackmore, Ross Shepherd, Alison Tynan and Debbie Wallice.
AGREED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 November 2024 be signed as a correct record.
Members were reminded of their responsibility, under Paragraph 11 of the Members’ Code of Conduct, to declare the existence and nature of any personal interest in respect of any of the business to be transacted at this meeting. The following declaration was made: Item 6 – Councillor Dana Davies declared a personal and prejudicial interest (as an LEA appointed school governor) but claimed the exemption set out in paragraphs 12 (2) (a) (iii) of the Member Code of Conduct and remained in the meeting for the discussion and voting thereon.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – That, subject to the aforementioned, the work programme and topic selection form set out in report COGC/101/24s be agreed.
The Chief Officer Governance & Customer submitted a report (COGC/101/24s) to consider the work programme of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee attached at Appendix 1. Presenting the report the Scrutiny Facilitator drew Members’ attention to the changes that had been made to the work programme arising from the last meeting and the topic selection form submitted in respect of School Based Staff Well-being. Members supported the topic selection form requesting that the implications of budget cuts be included. AGREED – That, subject to the aforementioned, the work programme and topic selection form set out in report COGC/101/24s be agreed.
Agenda Item 6: Members determined in considering this report that paragraph 13, 14, 15 and 17 should apply. Their view on the public interest test was that while they were mindful of the need to ensure the transparency and accountability of public authorities for decisions taken by them in relation to the spending of public money, the right of a third party to the privacy of their financial/business affairs outweighed the need for that information to be made public/disclosure of the information would give an unfair advantage to tenderers for commercial contracts. This information is not affected by any other statutory provision which requires the information to be publicly registered. On that basis, they felt that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. AGREED – That the press and public be excluded from the Meeting during consideration of the following items as it is likely that, if they were present, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 13, 14, 15 and 17 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
The council hasn't recorded attendance for this meeting.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.