Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member Corporate Services

The Cabinet Member Corporate Services introduced the report. He explained that the corporate diary followed a similar rationale to that adopted in previous years with evening meetings scheduled for 6pm. He advised that Councillors and Officers had been consulted on the diary and any proposed amendments had been incorporated wherever possible.  As outlined in section 2 of the report, consideration had been given to the political party conferences and meetings avoided on these dates.

Members made the following comments during the debate:

·                    They requested that meetings be avoided during the school holidays and in particular the budget Council meeting scheduled in February half term be moved. In response, the Cabinet Member Finance advised that there was a very narrow window in which they could hold the budget Council due to the budget setting process. They also had to work collaboratively with the County, police and other organisations and as such there was a lesser degree of flexibility with this date.  She highlighted that if they were to hold it earlier they would need to convene an additional meeting to set the Council tax. One Member suggested it be held at 6pm to allow those who have issues with childcare to attend. 

The Cabinet Member Corporate Services endeavoured to take Members points on board regarding meetings during the holidays and explore alternative times where this was possible.

RESOLVED (unanimously) THAT

The draft Council Diary of meetings for September 2019 –August 2020 be approved.