Agenda item

(a) Proposed addition to the Scheme of delegation in relation to the Handling of S53 Applications under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 

The Council’s approval was sought tothe granting of delegated authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Director for Corporate Services to prioritise the making of Definitive Map Modification Orders in either of the following two instances.  

                   i.an application has been the subject of court proceedings which has required the Council to obtain such a level of legal expertise and advice, that any potential delay in making an order might result, over time, in the loss of that knowledge, or  

                  ii.routes may be affected by major projects, such as HS2. 

In moving consideration of the recommendations contained in the report, Councillor Worthington suggested that, in the light of comments which had been madeabout the use of delegated powers by officers, the following recommendation be added to those contained in the report: 

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“(b) That the exercising of delegated authority by the Deputy Chief Executive and Director for Corporate Services be reported to the next available meeting of the Countryside and Rights of Way Panel.” 

Resolved – (a) Thatthe following proposed addition to the Scheme of Delegation be approved, and that the Constitution and Scheme of Delegation be updated accordingly: 

e. To prioritise the making of Definitive Map Modification Orders in circumstances where:  

a. an application has been the subject of court proceedings which has required the Council to obtain such a level of legal expertise and advice, that any potential delay in making an order might result, over time, in the loss of that knowledge, or  

b. routes may be affected by major projects, such as HS2. 

(b) That the exercising of delegated authority by the Deputy Chief Executive and Director for Corporate Services be reported to the next available meeting of the Countryside and Rights of Way Panel. 

(b) Potential Appointment of Independent Members to the Audit and Standards Committee / Review of the Audit and Standards Committee Terms of Reference 

The Council’s approval was sought to: 

(i)The Proposed Appointment of a Non-Voting co-opted Independent Member to the Audit and Standards Committee. 

(ii) Proposed revised Terms of Reference for the Committee. 

Members were informed that the option of appointing co-opted IndependentMembers to serve on the Audit & Standards Committee was in line with guidance produced by CIPFA within its 2022 ‘Position Statement: Audit Committees in Local Authorities and Police’. 

Members also considered proposed revised terms of reference for the Audit and Standards Committee as contained in the CIPFA’s Publication - “Practical Guidance for Local Authorities and Police 2022 Edition.” 

Resolved – (a) That section 11, Paragraph 25.1 of the Constitution be updated to show the membership of the Audit and Standards Committee to include one non-voting, co-opted independent member. 

(b) That the ‘Governance and decision making’ section of the revised Terms of Reference include under the remit for a five-memberPanel; 

‘to carry out the recruitment process and make recommendations to Council on the appointment of a non-voting, co-opted Independent member of the Audit and Standards Committee.’ 

(c) That the proposed revised terms of referencefor the Audit and Standards Committee (as set out in the report), updated to provide for point (b) above, be approved. 

(c) Electoral Review of Staffordshire County Council: Draft Recommendations 

Members were informed that, in March 2023, the Council approved and submitted its response to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England’s (LGBCE) Electoral Review of Staffordshire. 

The Commission has published proposals for changes to Staffordshire. The LGBCE have largely accepted what the County Council approved at its meeting in March and submitted during the last consultation. The key proposals from the Commission include: 

·       LGBCE have agreed to 62 Councillors (as is) 

·       All of the proposed divisions will be represented by one councillor 

·       Reduction of -1 member in Tamworth 

·       Increase of +1 member in East Staffordshire 

·       Major boundary changes to Stafford 

·       Moderate changes to Cannock 

·       Minor changes to East Staffordshire, Newcastle and Staffordshire Moorlands 

A public consultation on the proposals was to run from 8 August 2023 to 16 October 2023. Once the LGBCE have considered all responses to the consultation, they aim to publish their final recommendations in January 2024. 

The proposals had been taken through the Council’s Governance process and the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee hadprovided scrutiny and oversight of the process. Broadly speaking, the Council was satisfied with the proposals set out by the LGBCE.  

Members considered the proposed response to the LGBCE where the Council wished to comment on the proposals. 

Resolved – (a) That the progress made to date on the County’s Electoral Review be noted. 

(b) That the response to the LGBCE for Staffordshire’s boundary changes be supported. 

(c) That the Leader of the Council and the Deputy Chief Executive and Director for Corporate Services be authorised to finalise the proposals prior to submitting to the Boundary Commission.