Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services reviewing the process for making outside body appointments within the Culture, Recreation and Countryside portfolio.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services reviewing the process for making appointments to outside bodies.

The Committee reviewed the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (Item 8 in the Minute Book) which outlined proposals for an updated criteria for appointing Members to the outside bodies within the Culture, Recreation and Countryside Executive portfolio.

Members heard of the work of the Task and Finish Group, consisting of C&C Select Committee members, who had reviewed grant funding and considered the list of outside body appointments.

It was reported that the outside organisations had been consulted on the review proposals and that the feedback received had highlighted the need to clarify the roles and responsibilities held by appointed representatives.

The report outlined the proposed criteria for appointment and the clarified the role for each type of County Council representative.

Discussion was held regarding the legal responsibilities and the personal liability of members when representing the Council on an outside body. The Legal Advisor confirmed that, for those members who were appointed to a trustee role, the member would have to act negligently and/or significantly beyond their role and responsibilities to be held personally liable. For those appointed as an observer, it was not possible for members to be held personally liable in any circumstance. It was noted that the Member Indemnity Scheme applied where a member is either representing the Council or undertaking the role as part of their duties as a County Councillor; and that if a member was not appointed by the Council and acting in an individual capacity, the Scheme would not be applicable.

RESOLVED:

That the Culture and Communities Select Committee recommends to the Executive Member for Culture, Recreation and Countryside that he approves the proposals set out in section 6 of the report, including the changes that are set out in Appendices 4 and 5, for appointments to the outside bodies delegated to the Executive Member in the County Council’s Constitution, from June 2017.