To consider the Committee’s work programme.

Members considered a report which set out the Committee’s work programme for the remainder of the 2015/16 municipal year and the 2016/17 municipal year.

Further to her earlier comments (minute GPC/15/26 above refers) the Chairman explained that the report entitled ‘Amendment to the Terms of Reference of the Wixams Joint Development Control Committee and Delegated Powers to Officers’ had been withdrawn because incorrect documents had been submitted with the report.  In addition, it was recognised that additional revisions were required to the Terms of Reference for this body and that it would be more effective to consider them all at the same time.  The Chairman therefore suggested that consideration of this matter be considered at the General Purposes Committee to be held on 30 June 2016.

A Committee member, who was the Co-chairman of the Wixams Joint Development Control Committee, confirmed that the Committee’s existing Terms of Reference dated from 2000 and required wide ranging revision.

The Chairman next referred to the pilot scheme being undertaken to deliver a new office layout including furniture in First West and, shortly, to Ground West at Priory House.  She expressed the view that it would be beneficial to examine the impact and suitability of the pilot scheme and requested that a presentation be made to the next meeting of the Committee immediately followed by a guided tour for Committee members.  As the pilot would not be completed until August she felt that there was sufficient time for any revisions to be made to the scheme before it was applied throughout Priory House.

Discussion then took place on whether it was the General Purposes Committee or the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee which held responsibility for oversight of the changes, with a Member expressing concern that, unless clarified, duplication of effort could arise.  It was therefore proposed that the Chairmen of both committees discuss this issue and clarify where responsibility lay. 

Following consideration it was also proposed that the Director of Improvement and Corporate Services arrange a briefing for all Members explaining the reasons for the new office layout and furniture.

Last, the Committee Services Manager advised Members that, given the submission of a report reviewing updates to the Constitution earlier in the meeting (minute GPC/15/31 above refers) it was unlikely that the item entitled ‘Constitution Update’, scheduled for consideration on 30 June, would proceed on that date.

RESOLVED

1          that a report on the revisions required to the Terms of Reference for the Wixams Joint Development Control Committee, including delegated powers to officers, be added to the Committee’s work programme for consideration on 30 June 2016;

2          that the Chairmen of the General Purposes Committee and the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee establish which of these committees is responsible for oversight of the scheme for the new office layout and furniture in Ground West and First West, Priory House; 

3          that, subject to the identification of the General Purposes Committee as the responsible committee for the above changes, an item on this issue be added to the Committee’s work programme for consideration on 30 June 2016;

4          that the Director of Improvement and Corporate Services arrange a briefing for all Members in order to explain the reasons for the new office layout and furniture.