This week, the Brentwood Council held three meetings: the Planning Committee on Tuesday, 25 June 2024, the Ordinary Council on Wednesday, 26 June 2024, and the Audit, Governance and Appointments Committee also on Wednesday, 26 June 2024. Here are the key highlights and what they mean for the local community.

Ordinary Council

The Ordinary Council meeting was particularly significant as it marked the annual appointments and provided updates on recent local elections.

Appointment of Mayor and Deputy Mayor

Councillor Mark Haigh was unanimously elected as the new Mayor, with Councillor Jay Laplain appointed as Deputy Mayor. Both will serve for the 2024-2025 municipal year. These roles are vital as the Mayor represents the council at official events and the Deputy Mayor supports this function.

Committee Appointments

The council discussed and approved the size, terms of reference, and membership of its various committees. This included confirming the allocation of seats on committees to different political groups and ratifying nominations from these groups. These decisions are in compliance with the Local Government Act 1972, which sets out the powers and duties of local authorities and establishes the system of committees they use.

The Council operates a committee system form of governance and is required by law to establish certain committees and has discretion to appoint other committees to facilitate the effective conduct of business under that committee system.

Election Results

The recent local elections saw the formation of political groups within the council. The Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan Stephenson, reported that the Conservative Group and the Brentwood Joint Administration Group both submitted notices, which were acknowledged by the council.

Leader's Statement

Councillor Aspinell, the Leader of the Council, extended congratulations to both re-elected members and newly elected ones. Councillor Russell, the Leader of the opposing group, responded to Councillor Aspinell's statement.

Calendar of Meetings

The council agreed on a calendar of meetings for the 2024-2025 municipal year to ensure effective and efficient decision-making.

The Calendar of Meetings enables effective and efficient decision making throughout the Municipal Year.

Members' Allowances

Discussion on members’ allowances for 2024-2025 was postponed to a later meeting.

Audit, Governance and Appointments Committee

This committee meeting focused on the appointment of senior council officers and an update on Data Protection policies.

Appointment of Tier 2 and Tier 3 Chief Officers

The committee discussed the appointment of two new senior officers as part of the ongoing OneTeam restructure, which aims to improve efficiency and reduce the council's running costs. The new posts of Executive Director (Place) and Executive Director (Growth and Homes) were advertised publicly, and the committee resolved to offer the positions to the recommended candidates.

This report seeks approval for the appointment of two chief officers … to provide leadership, direction, and support to the relevant tiers within the organisation. - Brentwood Borough Council, Appointment of Tier 2 and Tier 3 Chief Officers as part of OneTeam 26.06.24

Data Protection

The committee received a verbal update on the implementation of recommendations made by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's independent authority set up to uphold information rights. The UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018 are central to data protection law in the UK. Councillors were satisfied with the progress made.

Planning Committee

The Planning Committee meeting was held on Tuesday, 25 June 2024, but no video or transcript was provided. Therefore, we are unable to report on the specific discussions or decisions made during this meeting.

Understanding Local Government

These meetings illustrate the governance structure and decision-making processes within the council. Here are some key points:

• Mayor and Deputy Mayor: These roles are crucial for representing the council and supporting its functions.
• Committees: Each committee focuses on specific areas, such as governance, planning, and appointments, ensuring that decisions are made by subject experts.
• Local Government Act 1972: This act consolidates much of the law relating to local government in England and Wales, setting out the powers and duties of local authorities.

Conclusion

The decisions made in these meetings reflect the council's ongoing efforts to improve governance, efficiency, and service delivery for Brentwood residents. Understanding these processes can help residents engage more effectively with their local government.

For more details on the meetings, you can view the full transcripts and agendas through the provided links. Stay tuned for more updates on Brentwood Council's activities and how they impact your local neighbourhood.