Venue: Committee Room 1, City Hall. View directions
Contact: Charlie Mason, Democratic Services Officer (01522 873533)
No. | Item |
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Confirmation of Minutes - 30 July 2013 Minutes: RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 30 July 2013 be confirmed. |
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Declarations of Interest Please note that, in accordance with the Members' Code of Conduct, when declaring interests members must disclose the existence and nature of the interest, and whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) or personal and/or pecuniary. Minutes: No declarations of interest were received. |
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Code of Conduct: Cases Review Minutes: The Assistant Director of Legal and Corporate Support Services:
a) presented a report containing information on recent cases relating to other local authorities' codes of conduct.
b) highlighted that members should identify any issues raised within the report as being relevant for further consideration with regard to their impact upon members.
c) invited members' questions and comments.
Members:
The Independent Person further noted the potential for elected members to use tablet devices for purposes unrelated to the meeting and the need to be mindful of the relevant risks.
RESOLVED that chairs of committees be reminded of the potential negative public perception regarding the use of tablet computers, and requested to highlight the nature of their use within any meetings attended by members of the public. |
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The Promotion of Citizenship within Schools Minutes: The Democratic Services Officer:
a) presented a report relating to the recent trial of a member-student panel providing an opportunity for dialogue between councillors and pupils at the Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School.
b) summarised the manner in which the panel had been conducted and the positive feedback received.
c) highlighted the opportunity for the panel format to be used in other schools within Lincoln to improve awareness of the Council’s democratic role and functions.
d) invited members' questions and comments.
Members:
The Reserve Independent Person questioned whether feedback had been received from staff at the school.
The Democratic Services Officer advised that the relevant member of staff had provided positive feedback immediately after the event and had expressed an interest in holding further activities in the future.
RESOLVED that officers be requested to proceed with arranging member-student panels in other schools within Lincoln. |
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Encouraging Electoral Engagement Minutes: The Assistant Director of Legal and Corporate Support Services:
a) presented a report regarding the Committee’s options for improving levels of electoral engagement within Lincoln.
b) highlighted the work undertaken to date and requested a steer from members regarding their preferences for further development.
c) drew members’ attention to the Communication Team’s proposals for the introduction of ward Twitter accounts, which would allow ward members to engage with residents of their ward, while also potentially acting as a community hub.
d) invited members' questions and comments.
Members:
RESOLVED that:
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Civic Party Guidance Minutes: The Assistant Director of Legal and Corporate Support Services:
a) presented a report regarding the guidance offered to the Civic Party regarding appropriate behaviour.
b) noted that the report was provided in response to members’ request for information following a relevant code of conduct case at another council.
c) advised that the Civic Party was closely supported by the Civic Manager and her team in conjunction with the Chief Executive and Town Clerk.
d) stated that the close support provided by officers to the Civic Party ensured that appropriate training was delivered with the intention of pre-empting any inappropriate behaviour.
e) invited members' questions and comments.
Members:
The Reserve Independent Person questioned whether all elected members received guidance on the role of the Civic Party.
The Assistant Director of Legal and Corporate Support Services responded that civic guidance was incorporated within the broader member code of conduct training.
RESOLVED that the report be noted. |
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Member Development Update Minutes: The Assistant Director of Legal and Corporate Support Services:
a) presented the regular report received by the Committee providing an update on the Council’s member development programme.
b) advised members of the training that had been undertaken during 2012/13 and 2013/14.
c) noted that the member development programme for 2014/15 was being prepared and invited guidance or suggestions from members for topics which could form part of the programme.
d) invited members' questions and comments.
Members:
RESOLVED that:
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Paperless Meeting Trial Additional documents: Minutes: The Democratic Services Officer:
a) presented a report summarising the outcome of a trial, during which members of the Committee had received the majority of their committee papers via an electronic tablet device.
b) advised that the overall reception for the tablet devices appeared to be positive.
c) noted a number of technical and operational issues members had raised during the trial and advised that the majority did not appear insuperable.
d) highlighted that any changes to provide tablet devices on an ongoing basis would require the alteration of the Member ICT Policy.
e) invited members' questions and comments.
Members:
The Assistant Director of Legal and Corporate Support Services responded that she would seek to work with colleagues in IT Services to address members’ concerns and progress the requested changes.
RESOLVED that:
i. that all councillors willing to cease receiving printed committee papers be offered the use of tablet device in lieu of the printed papers.
ii. that, in order to ensure parity with other elected members, any councillors in receipt of a tablet device pre-dating the paperless working trial be given the opportunity to request either a laptop or a computer allowance with effect from the date of any change made to the policy. |
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Local Democracy Week Update Minutes: The Assistant Director of Legal and Corporate Support Services:
a) presented a report regarding the Council’s involvement with Local Democracy Week.
b) summarised the progress made previously, noting that a significant number of ideas discussed at the previous meeting were now intended to be promoted as part of Local Democracy Week 2014.
c) highlighted the Leader’s planned Twitter engagement event with local young people, giving people a chance to enter a dialogue with him and each other regarding local democracy and the role of the Council.
d) noted that members would particularly have the opportunity to contribute towards the development of plans for Local Democracy Week 2014 and invite the Committee’s suggestions in this regard.
e) invited members' questions and comments.
Members:
RESOLVED that:
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Work Programme Update Additional documents: Minutes: The Democratic Services Officer:
a) presented the current Ethics and Engagement Committee work programme for consideration by members.
b)
advised that the report requested
regarding the long-term aspects of member development would be
addressed as part of the scheduled report regarding succession
planning. c) invited members' questions and comments.
RESOLVED that the work programme be approved. |