1CONSTITUTION WORKING PARTY 22ND SEPTEMBER, 2003 Minutes of the meeting of the Constitution Working Party of the Flintshire County Council held at County Hall, Mold on Monday, 22nd September, 2003. PRESENT: Councillor R.K. Evans (Chairman) Councillors D.M.D. Clayton, E.F. Evans, E. Hall, P.G. Heesom, K. Iball, M.Matthews, D.G. Parry, H.G. Roberts and N.R. Steele-Mortimer. SUBSTITUTES: Councillors J.O. Jones for L.A. Aldridge, R.P. MacFarlane for R.C. Bithell, J.F. Jones for Mrs. A. Slowik and K.W. Richardson for Mrs. P.J. Walkden. ALSO PRESENT: Councillor K. Armstrong-Braun. IN ATTENDANCE: Monitoring Officer and Principal Administration Officer. 10.03 Insert "County Council" after Flintshire in the first line and add "and no other agencies" at the end. It was duly proposed and seconded that this amendment be accepted. However, Councillor D.M.D. Clayton did have some concerns. He felt that this could be too restrictive because there could be items upon which the County Council would eventually have to take a view. In noting Councillor Clayton's comments, Members indicated that it was probable that procedures would be amended in the light of experience when the scheme had been in operation. On being put to the vote, the amendment was accepted. 10.09 After allowed in the first line delete "in each case" and substitute "by the questioner". It was duly proposed, seconded and agreed that this amendment be accepted. 10.10 This protocol will not operate to allow Members and employees of Flintshire County Council to raise any questions as they have their own procedures already. Councillor Clayton indicated that he had no objection to the restriction on Members asking questions but felt that as the County Council had a considerable workforce there may well be issues that employees wished to raise through this procedure which had absolutely no bearing on their work. In these circumstances, he felt that they should not be penalised by being an employee of the County Council. A number of Members, whilst accepting the spirit of Councillor Clayton's point, felt there could be a perception in the public eye if staff members were allowed to submit questions that they were receiving priority. Again, Members commented that with the light of experience, the system may be amended. The Monitoring Officer suggested that there may be alternatives to allow staff an opportunity to raise matters possibly via the infonet, and he agreed to investigate this. It was subsequently proposed, seconded and carried that the amendment be accepted. Councillor Clayton reminded the Working Party that since the original draft scheme had been prepared, the Constitution had been amended to replace the word "Chief Executive" by "County Secretary". RESOLVED: (a) That the amendments recommended by the Executive be approved. (b) That the Monitoring Officer submit a report to a future meeting of the Working Party in relation to members of staff who wished to ask questions on Council matters. 35. MINUTES The minutes of the meeting held on 30th June, 2003, were approved as a correct record. 36. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME The Committee considered the report of the Monitoring Officer, the purpose of which was to consider the recommendations of the Executive in relation to a procedure previously considered by the Working Party for the introduction of a Public Question Time. At that meeting held on 30th June, 2003 the Working Party considered the recommendation of a Panel established to consider and report back on options for the introduction of a Public Question Time best suited to the needs of Flintshire. The Working Party subsequently agreed to recommend to the Executive and the County Council that for a trial period, a Public Question Time be introduced prior to each scheduled meeting of the County Council in accordance with the Draft Procedures Rules, a copy of which was attached as an Appendix to the report, and that appropriate publicity be given to raise public awareness of the facility. The Monitoring Officer reported that the recommendations were subsequently considered by the Executive at its meeting held on 12th August, 2003. The Executive approved the principle but suggested certain amendments as follows:- 37. DURATION OF MEETING The meeting commenced at 2.00 p.m. and finished at 2.30 p.m. ........................................................ Chairman SUMMARY OF DECLARATIONS MADE BY MEMBERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL'S CODE OF CONDUCT CONSTITUTION WORKING PARTY DATE: 22ND SEPTEMBER, 2003 MEMBER ITEM MIN NO. REFERS NO DECLARATIONS WERE MADE
