Agenda item

Report of Governance Review Task and Finish Group – Progress Update

At its meeting of 8th June 2022, Council considered a report by the Leader and Deputy Leader on the Solace Independent Governance Review (The ‘Caller Review’).  Following this, Council agreed to form a Cross-Party Steering Group on a task and finish basis, to consider the Council’s response to the ‘Caller Review’ and its recommendations. The Task and Finish Steering Group reported back to the County Council on 21st June 2022 (report of the Leader and Deputy Leader). The report on 21st June set out an Initial Plan of Action to implement the Caller Review recommendations. Council considered and agreed the initial Plan of Action and agreed to receive a further report setting out a more detailed timetable and assessment of resources required. This Report sets out the next version of the Action Plan with target dates, Member and Officer leads as well as resources.

Report of Governance Review Task and Finish Group – Progress Update

At its meeting of 8th June 2022, Council considered a report by the Leader and Deputy Leader on the Solace Independent Governance Review (The ‘Caller Review’).

Following this, Council agreed to form a Cross-Party Steering Group on a task and finish basis, to consider the Council’s response to the ‘Caller Review’ and its recommendations. The Task and Finish Steering Group reported back to the County Council on 21st June 2022 (report of the Leader and Deputy Leader). The report on 21st June set out an Initial Plan of Action to implement the Caller Review recommendations. Council considered and agreed the initial Plan of Action and agreed to receive a further report setting out a more detailed timetable and assessment of resources required. This report set out the next version of the Action Plan with target dates, Member and Officer leads as well as resources. Draft terms of reference for the Advisory Board were circulated in the Chamber to all members (copy attached to the sealed minutes).

The Business Chair advised that there was an amendment to the report to add a recommendation 3, which asked Council to approve the establishment of an advisory challenge board and to agree its terms of reference (which had been circulated in the Chamber). The additional recommendation also sought a delegation to the Interim Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the cross party task and finish steering group, to confirm the nominations to the challenge board.

The Leader thanked the Group Leaders for their work on the Action Plan thus far and the support they had given him, stressing that it was important to maintain the pace of progress. He moved the report’s amended recommendations, which was seconded by Councillor Dickinson.

Councillor Fairless Aitken welcomed the report and asked if there was a timeline. The Leader responded that it was hoped to get the Board up and running by August, but this depended on the submission of names and availability. The position would be reviewed in 12 months and if they needed to continue beyond that, then they would.

Councillor Kennedy commented that the Group Leaders and other members had worked well on this and he acknowledged Phil Hunter’s work with the Group.

Councillor Reid agreed and acknowledged the Leadership’s proactiveness in taking responsibility for moving things forward. He hoped the spirit of working together would continue, and asked how members would be recruited to the Board and whether they would be paid as they could be involved for some time on it.

Councillor Morphet added that he was happy to be part of the task and finish group.

Councillor Hill commented that she supported the list of actions which the task and finish group would do but she did have concerns that the Council was not going far enough. Mr Caller had said there was a need for a fundamental reset and she felt all of the problems needed to be acknowledged and the fundamental issues addressed. She saw grounds for optimism, but not the change in culture which was needed. Mr Caller had stressed the need for opposition groups to work together and be able to speak the truth to those in power. She was disappointed therefore that several members of the Conservative Group had approached her prior to this meeting advising her of plotting to silence her at the meeting and to have her removed. This had happened at a Conservative Group meeting and had been reported to her by 8-9 members of that Group. This was not working together or encouraging scrutiny.

The Business Chair suggested that Councillor Hill name these members.

Following continued disturbance by a member of the public, the Business Chair adjourned the meeting at 3.50pm. It was reconvened at 4.30 pm.

Councillor Dale referred to recommendation 8 on page 58 which was very important. She commented that there was tremendous amount of work involved to be done in six months and hoped that it would not be hurried. Targets set had to be achievable.

Councillor Dickinson seconded the amended recommendations and agreed that members had to work together if they were to change the culture and patterns of behaviour.

The Leader welcomed taking responsibility for driving this forward advising there would be regular meetings of the task and finish group. Recruitment to the Board would be for the Group to decide and in response to Councillor Dale’s comments, he replied that a Corporate Plan had been agreed by Council in February. He did agree that it was a challenging timescale but things needed to be progressed.

He formally moved the recommendations, with the additional following recommendation, which had been seconded by Councillor Dickinson:-

“Council approve the establishment of an Advisory Board, and its terms of reference (as per the document circulated in the Chamber), and authority be delegated to the Interim Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the cross party task and finish steering group, to confirm the nominations to the challenge board”.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)      Council note and agree the Task and Finish Steering Group’s Plan of Action (attached as Appendix A) in response to the Caller Review and its recommendations;

(b)      Council submit to the Task and Finish Steering Group for its consideration, any suggested additional actions or changes to the proposed actions in the Plan of Action; and

(c)      Council approve the establishment of an Advisory Challenge Board, and its terms of reference detailed below, and authority be delegated to the Interim Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the cross party task and finish steering group, to confirm the nominations to the advisory challenge board.

Terms of Reference

1.       The purpose of the Board is:

a.       To provide external advice, challenge and expertise to the County Council in driving forward the development and delivery of the Governance Review Action Plan.

b.       To provide assurance to public, the Council and stakeholders that there is progress in delivering this Plan.

2.       Methodology:

a.       Providing regular advice, challenge and support to the Council on the full range of the action plan and in particular on delivery of the recommendations in Max Caller’s report.

b.       Providing written commentaries on the Council’s progress against its action plan on a quarterly basis.  These reports will be in public and reported to the Cabinet and full Council.

c.        The Board will decide the extent to which its meetings are held in public and what, if any agenda, minutes or papers it publishes, in accordance with the usual access to information rules. 

d.       The Board will comprise 5 individuals and include external advisors appointed on the recommendation of the Cross-Party Task and Finish Steering Group that was set up to consider and respond to the Caller report, on behalf of the Council.  Given the emphasis on governance and cultural change, it is envisaged external persons with a strong, high profile and established track record in local government governance and organisational change will be required.

e.       We anticipate that the Board will be in existence for a minimum of 12 months and the membership and purpose will be reviewed over this period.