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Constitution - Tuesday, 10 December 2024

December 10, 2024 View on council website
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Summary

The meeting was scheduled to consider the adoption of a new version of Bracknell Forest Council's constitution. The constitution is a document that sets out how the council operates, including how decisions are made and the rules that govern the conduct of councillors and officers.

Key Changes to the Constitution

The most significant change scheduled to be discussed was to how councillors receive and use technology and devices like mobile phones. The report pack contained a revised version of Bracknell Forest Council's Members' Allowances Scheme. The revised scheme removed the paragraph that says councillors receive a basic allowance, that covers broadband provision, in-Borough travel, in-Borough parking, occasional use of taxis and all incidental expenses not otherwise expressly specified in this Scheme.

Instead, the new scheme was to say that Councillors receive a Basic Allowance to cover costs associated with being a Councillor which includes telephone expenses. However, there are roles that some Councillors undertake such as that of an Executive Member or Chairman of a Committee, that require them to be contactable either via telephone or email to a significantly greater degree than other Councillors. The list of roles that Councillors undertake that will entitle them to a Council device are set out in the Council’s Telephony Usage Standards.

Members are required to sign an agreement regarding usage of the equipment and use of these devices will be monitored on a regular basis. Members will be sent statements periodically in order for them to review their bills and pay for all personal calls; payment to be received within two months of receipt of the bill.

Other Roles and Responsibilities

The constitution also sets out the different roles and responsibilities of councillors, the mayor, deputy mayor, and leader of the council. These roles and responsibilities, and the rules that relate to them, remained largely unchanged in the revised version of the scheme.

Other Changes to the Scheme

The document pack also includes minor changes to the expenses that councillors are entitled to claim for attending meetings, seminars and other events. In particular, the document pack includes a revised version of the list of approved duties for travel and subsistence. The revised scheme removed the item that said councillors may claim expenses for Attendance at a meeting, briefing or event at the invitation of an Executive Director.

The document pack also includes changes to the amounts payable to councillors for overnight stays while away on council business. The scheme was to increase the amount payable for an overnight stay in London from £150 to £165. It also increased the amount payable for an overnight stay outside London from £90 to £105.

Attendees

Jo Male

Topics

No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.

Meeting Documents

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