Issue - meetings

To consider the recommendations of the General Purposes Committee regarding the review of the Constitution.

Lead: Julie Openshaw

9.1          Members received the report of the of the Head of Legal.  The Senior Solicitor then highlighted the key points of the report.

9.2          Mr. Peter Kennan highlighted item 3.9 and the LEP review.  He explained that the Government has made clear that following consultation LEPs will cease in their existing form and officers will need to explore how the voice of business will continue to be heard.

Resolved:

1)   That Board notes the amendments to be made under the existing delegated power of the Monitoring Officer as described in paragraph 3.6.

2)   That Board agrees that the areas identified in paragraphs 3.8 and 3.9 are key to development of the work of TfN and its Constitution in the future.

3)   That Board approves the proposed extension to the delegated power of the Monitoring Officer set out in paragraph 3.10.

4)   That Board approves the extension of the membership of Partnership Board to include one representative from the Directors of Public Health of TfN’s Constituent Authorities and one representative of the Northern Chambers of Commerce.

5)   That Board approves the approach to selection of Independent Persons as defined in the Localism Act 2011 in circumstances described in paragraphs 3.12 - 3.16, by approaching the Constituent Authorities in alphabetical order until two suitable Independent Persons can be sourced.

6)   That Board approves for the reasons set out in paragraph 3.18 the addition into the Terms of Reference of the General Purposes Committee of the words: “(iii) in circumstances where it is impractical for a meeting of full Board to be convened in order to designate the S151 Officer or the Monitoring Officer, following advice from the Monitoring Officer or in their absence the Deputy Monitoring Officer, and following consultation with the Independent Chairs and both the Vice Chairs of Board, designating an officer as the Section 151 Officer or the Monitoring Officer.”

7)   That Board approves a widening of the eligibility of the 6 seats for elected Members on Audit & Governance Committee to include any elected Member of any of the Constituent Authorities, whether or not they are also already a TfN Board Member or Substitute Member.