Issue - meetings

It was moved by Councillor Nelson-Gracie, seconded by Councillor Warner, that the recommendation of the Audit Committee relating to the proposed reduction in the quorum for meetings of the Committee be approved.

Councillor Parvin, the Vice-Chairman of the Standards Committee, advised the Council that, in accordance with Article 15.02 (a) of the Constitution, the Standards Committee had evaluated the amendment of the Constitution as a consequence of the proposed reduction in the quorum for meetings of the Audit Committee, and believed that its implementation would help to ensure that the aims and principles of the Constitution were given full effect by putting in place arrangements to enable business to be transacted in the event of two Members of the Committee being unable/ineligible to attend a meeting of the Committee, thus enabling decisions to be taken efficiently and effectively.

RESOLVED:  That the quorum for meetings of the Audit Committee be reduced from four to three and that the Constitution be amended accordingly.

The Committee was asked to evaluate the amendment of the Constitution as a consequence of a proposal to reduce the quorum for meetings of the Audit Committee from four to three.  It was noted that the Audit Committee comprised five Members of the Council with a quorum of four.  Although this had not caused a problem for the operation of the Committee to date, it could cause problems in the future now that all new Members/Substitute Members of the Committee were required to undergo specific training before being able to serve/continue to serve on the Committee.

The Committee supported the proposed amendment of the Constitution, believing that its implementation would fulfil the obligation to facilitate efficient and effective decision making.

RESOLVED to RECOMMEND to the COUNCIL:  That it be noted that, in accordance with Article 15.02 (a) of the Constitution, the Standards Committee has evaluated the amendment of the Constitution as a consequence of the proposed reduction in the quorum for meetings of the Audit Committee, and believes that its implementation will help to ensure that the aims and principles of the Constitution are given full effect by putting in place arrangements to enable business to be transacted in the event of two Members of the Committee being unable/ineligible to attend a meeting of the Committee, thus enabling decisions to be taken efficiently and effectively.

The Democratic Services Officer, on behalf of the Head of Democratic Services, informed the Committee that the Chairman had raised the proposal of reducing the quorum of the Audit Committee from 4 to 3.

Members were informed that Cabinet had recently reduced their quorum from 4 to 3 as there are now 5 Members of Cabinet and, although, having a quorum of 4 had not caused a problem for the Audit Committee to date, when new members join they do need to undertake training before being able to serve on the Committee and this could cause a problem in the future.

RESOLVED: That Council, following an evaluation by the Standards Committee, be recommended to reduce the quorum of the Audit Committee from 4 to 3 and that the Constitution be amended accordingly.