To receive a report on the Financial and Contractual Procedures Rules.  Report to follow.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services presented the report on the review of the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules, Financial Procedure Rules and Contract Procedure Rules and Members Questions for Council.  He reminded Members of the background for the report from the Independent Crookall Report following on from the Director of Resources Section 151 report.  He stated that the report had been before the Standards Committee, the Audit and Corporate Governance Committee and the Strategic Monitoring Committee.  He added that questions from the Strategic Monitoring Committee had been responded to and the Director of Resources had looked at 4* Authorities such as Worcestershire, East Riding of Yorkshire and Shropshire taking the best of these and condensing them to manageable levels.  He added that Mini guides were being provided for officers and that the scheme of delegation for officers would be reviewed shortly.  He stated that significant changes would be required for the Constitution and that it was proposed that a full review would come before Cabinet and Council in July.

A Member in attendance sought the Chief Executive’s assurance that all the issues raised in the Crookall report had been dealt with.  The Chief Executive stated that he felt part of the Crookall recommendations had been addressed in this report, however a further report would be coming before Cabinet which would provide a detailed response to the Crookall report.

Councillor GFM Dawe disagreed with the change to the time for submitting questions to Council and stated that he felt that the current time allowance was adequate.  The Leader informed Cabinet that the proposal had been agreed by Group Leaders and had also been agreed at the meeting of the Constitutional Review Working Group.  He reminded Members that questions could be asked of officers at any time.

Further discussion was held on the Scheme of Delegation and Cabinet was informed that a further report would be coming before Cabinet setting out the differing roles between Cabinet Members and Directors and where accountability lay.

RESOLVED

THAT:

           (a) Cabinet  considered the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules, Financial Procedure Rules and Contract Procedure Rules attached to the report before formal consideration and adoption by Council on 7 March 2008;

           (b) the Head of Legal and Democratic Services carry out a thorough revision of the Scheme of Delegation for approval by Council on 7 March 2008;

           (c) the head of Legal and Democratic Services carry out a thorough review of the remainder of the Constitution for approval by Council in July 2008; and

           (d) Cabinet recommends to Council the amendment to paragraph 4.25.1. of the Constitution.