Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

None.

None.

A decision of the Cabinet meeting on 23 July 2024 relating to the Annual Review of Fees and Charges 2024 has been called in.  Attached is a copy of the procedure for dealing with a called in item.

The Democratic Services Manager advised that Cabinet had considered a report on ‘Annual Review of Fees and Charges 2024’ at a meeting held on 23 July 2024.  The decision (Record of Decision 4243) had been called in as shown in the Call In Notice on the agenda.

Copies of the Cabinet report, Record of Decision and Endorsement of Call In were included in the agenda pack.

The Democratic Services Manager explained the procedure for the call in of a Cabinet decision as detailed in the supporting document which was included in the agenda.

The Chair invited the signatories to present the reasons for the call-in to the Committee.

Report of the Corporate Finance Manager and Chief Executive - Cabinet Member for Finance and Social Value

To assist Members, the following documents are attached:-

·         Copy of the report - The Annual Review of Fees and Charges 2024

·         Copy of the Record of Decision

·         Copy of the Call In Notice

Having considered the decision, the Committee is still concerned about it and refers it back to the decision making body for reconsideration.  The decision maker shall then reconsider, at the earliest scheduled meeting, amending the decision or not, before adopting a final decision.

Representations from Call In Signatories

On behalf of the five signatories, Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson outlined the reasons for the Call In, expanding on the reasons outlined within the agenda.

Responses from the Decision Maker

On behalf of the Cabinet Member for Finance who was not present, Councillor Christine Jones responded to the concerns raised by the Call In signatories.

The Chair invited Members of the Committee to ask questions of the Decision Makers and Call In signatories.

During discussion, officers provided clarity on the mis-alignment within the schedule and agreed to consider reformatting to separate statutory and discretionary fees and charges, excluding VAT.

When invited to sum up on behalf of the Call in signatories, Councillor Ibbotson welcomed the suggestions made by officers and seconded the proposal made by Councillor Gladys Healey for Option 3.

In response to comments, the Democratic Services Manager agreed to liaise with the Chief Officer (Governance) regarding the suggestion for a review of the Delegation of Powers scheme.

Councillor Christine Jones was also given the opportunity to sum up.

The Chair invited the Democratic Services Manager to remind Members of the options for decision making as detailed in item 3 of the Agenda.

On being put to the vote, the proposal for Option 3 was carried.

RESOLVED:

Having considered the decision, the Committee is still concerned about it and refers it back to the decision making body for reconsideration.  The decision maker shall then reconsider, at the earliest scheduled meeting, amending the decision or not, before adopting a final decision.

None.