Agenda item

Report No: COU/SA/18/005

(Report No: COU/SA/18/005)

The Shadow Council considered the above report, which sought approval for the proposed Terms of Reference (ToR) for a working group which would be tasked with reviewing the future of Civic Leadership within West Suffolk.

In April 2018, Forest Heath District (FHDC) and St Edmundsbury Borough Councils’ (SEBC) Leaders announced that a specific working group would be established to review the future of Civic Leadership in West Suffolk.

Councillors Carol Bull and Ruth Bowman, SEBC and FHDC Portfolio Holders for Future Governance respectively, drew relevant issues to the attention of the Shadow Council, including that Civic Leadership was wider than one individual and was concerned with how:

·         residents engaged with and understood the Council;

·         the Council demonstrated the support for its communities right across the new district area;

·         the Council encouraged civic pride in its area  and promoted local democracy; and

·         Civic Leadership supported the aims and ambitions of the Council.

The proposed new Civic Leadership Working Group would help advise the Council on the priorities for its future Civic Leadership, and evaluate how the Council should reward and recognise the outstanding contributions that individuals and organisations made to civic life within West Suffolk.  Specific focus would be given to matters summarised in paragraph 1.3 of the report.

Subject to the views of the Working Group on how their work should progress, it was envisaged that the review should be concluded by autumn 2018, with a report subsequently being presented to the Shadow Council on their findings. 

The composition of the Working Group was set out in the proposed ToR.  Membership would be appointed following this meeting under the existing delegated authority of the interim Monitoring Officer, on the nominations of the existing FHDC and SEBC Group Leaders.

Councillor Carol Bull proposed approval of the recommendation contained in the report.  This proposal was duly seconded by Councillor Ruth Bowman.

During the debate, Councillor Trevor Beckwith proposed an amendment to the Terms of Reference, attached as Appendix A to the report, in respect of the proposed composition of the Working Group. Where it had specified that at least one member of the Group each from FHDC and SEBC must be a former Chairman or Mayor (as applicable), Councillor Beckwith wished to also specify that at least one member of the Group each from FHDC and SEBC must not be a former Chairman or Mayor (as applicable).  This amendment to the substantive motion was duly seconded by Councillor Paul Hopfensperger; however, upon being put to the vote, the amendment was defeated.

The majority of Members present supported the proposed remit and Terms of Reference of the Civic Leadership Working Group, recognising the need to engage with the public and other stakeholders about civic life and its relevance and importance to the community, whilst promoting the brand of West Suffolk.

In response to questions from Councillor Terry Clements regarding the operation of the Future Governance Steering Group; and from Councillor David Nettleton regarding the procedural rules and voting mechanism should a proposal to apply for Borough Status be presented to a meeting of the Shadow Council in due course; the Shadow Council was informed that written responses would be provided following the meeting.  These would subsequently be provided for all Members’ perusal.

The substantive motion was then put to the vote, was duly carried and it was

RESOLVED:

That the terms of reference for the Civic Leadership Working Group, attached as Appendix A to Report No: COU/SA/18/005, be approved.