The Constitution Committee of Gloucestershire Council met on Monday 10 June 2024 to discuss several key issues, including changes to the Scrutiny Committee terms of reference, the establishment of the Gloucestershire City Region Board and its scrutiny arrangements, updates to the Employee Code of Conduct, and provisions for neo-natal care leave for councillors.

Scrutiny Terms of Reference

Rob Ayliffe introduced a report suggesting changes to the current Scrutiny Committee terms of reference to better align them with the relevant cabinet portfolios. This proposal had the support of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee. One member queried whether Trading Standards, Libraries and Registration Service, and Coroners should fall under the remit of the Adult Social Care and Communities Scrutiny Committee, suggesting instead that Fire Scrutiny might be more appropriate. It was agreed that the chairs of both committees would discuss this further. The committee resolved to recommend these changes to the Council.

Gloucestershire City Region Board and Scrutiny Arrangements

Rob Ayliffe presented a report on the establishment of the City Region Board and the terms of reference for the Gloucestershire Economic Strategy Scrutiny Committee (GESSC). The committee noted the proposed membership of the GESSC, which would include 7 County Councillors and 6 co-opted voting borough/district councillors. Feedback from the Forest of Dean District Council suggested defining a greener economy as low carbon, resource efficient, and socially inclusive. The committee resolved to recommend the changes to the Council, including the creation of the GESSC and the amendment of the County Council’s Co-Optees and Voting Rights Scheme.

Employee Code of Conduct: Registration of Interests, Gifts, and Hospitality

The committee reviewed suggested changes to the Constitution regarding the registration of interests, gifts, and hospitality by council employees. The proposal aimed to introduce more rigour among senior managers, requiring all employees at Head of Service level or above to complete a declaration every three years. The Audit and Governance Committee had already supported these proposals. The committee resolved to recommend these changes to the Council.

Arrangements for Granting Dispensations for a Member to Participate in Meetings with a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest

The committee considered a report on changes to the Scheme of Delegation to allow the Monitoring Officer to grant dispensations for councillors to participate in meetings where they have a disclosable pecuniary interest. This change aimed to provide greater flexibility and ensure timely decisions. The committee resolved to recommend this addition to the Council’s Scheme of Delegation.

Neo-Natal Care Leave for Councillors

Rob Ayliffe introduced a report recommending the expansion of the Members Parental Leave Scheme to include neo-natal care leave for councillors. This proposal was in response to the Neonatal Care Act (2023), which provides up to 12 weeks’ paid leave for employees when their baby requires neonatal care. Although councillors are not legally classified as employees, the Minister for Local Government encouraged councils to extend similar provisions to councillors. The committee resolved to recommend these changes to the Council.

For further details, you can access the printed minutes of the meeting.