Issue - meetings

The Head of Policy, Communications and Governance introduced the report, and explained that the Policy and Resources Committee had agreed for the governance arrangements for Biodiversity and Climate Change functions to be reviewed. Four options were outlined, and it was highlighted that Option Two – Policy and Resources Committee with an Overview and Scrutiny Committee was the preferred option within the Biodiversity and Climate Change working group. The fifth option of the Communities, Housing and Development Committee acting as an Overview and Scrutiny Committee was discounted following legal advice.

The Committee considered the merits of the Biodiversity and Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan remaining with the Policy and Resources Committee and the benefits of adding an Overview and Scrutiny Committee. It was argued that the current governance arrangements were functioning well and so the status quo should be maintained, although an Overview and Scrutiny function could be beneficial in its capacity to carry out research.

RESOLVED: That Option One in the report, for the Policy and Resources Committee to maintain responsibility for the governance of the Biodiversity and Climate Change Strategy, be agreed.