Agenda and minutes

Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors Hargey, McCabe and McVeigh.

The minutes of the meetings of 10th and 24th January were taken as read and signed as correct.  It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 3rd February. 

            No declarations of interest were reported.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1     Relevant Background Information

1.1    The Committee, at its meetings on 13th December 2013 received an update on the three options for governance structures in the new Councils laid out in the Reorganisation Bill.  The Committee also agreed a process of engagement with Members to facilitate discussions on possible new political management arrangements.

1.2    This included a high-level overview of the range of options: (i) Traditional Committee System, (ii) Cabinet System, (iii) Streamlined Committee System.

1.3    The first stage in the process was to hold party group briefings facilitated by Jonathan Huish to outline the various models in more detail and outline some of the issues in operating the different structures.

1.4    Members also agreed to re constitute the Governance Steering Group to allow detailed discussion on some of the complex issues before bringing these to committee for decisions. 

1.5    The party group briefings were held in February and nominations have been made to the Governance Steering panel with its first meeting scheduled for the 10 February 2014.   This paper provides an update on the process to date including feedback from the party group briefings and proposal for next steps including specific workshops with the Governance Steering Group and further feedback to party groups and committee.

2       Key Issues

2.1    Feedback from Party Group Briefings

2.2    Jonathan Huish will be in attendance at the Committee to provide feedback from the party group briefings on Governance held in January 201.  A summary of the emerging points are set out at Appendix One.

         The preference would be for an inclusive governance model. The broad feedback is that a Cabinet / Executive model would create two tiers of Members, and is unlikely to get support.  A more efficient version of the current system has received positive feedback and a more strategic way of working is to be welcomed

         Area working is seen as positive, but the model needs to be clear particularly in relation to remit and relationship with committees - internal and external.

         Qualified Majority Voting - the principle is welcomed but there was some concern about the 80% level.  The question was raised about what decisions will require QMV.

         Call-In was seen as a positive.  There was concern that, without limits, it may slow / halt Council business. 

         Proportionality was viewed as essential and there is a need to think through protection of rights of smaller groups in terms of inclusivity.

         Appendix One provides a summary of common queries and responses is set out below.

2.3    Establishment of Shadow Council

         A consultation document is due to be released within the next week on the functions and powers of the Shadow Council.  This is likely to state that the role of each Shadow Council should be to;

         Prepare itself for the assumption of its full functions and powers on 1 April 2015 by

·     establishing governance arrangements -  committees and sub-committees;

·     appointing staff and

·     preparing budgets, plans and schemes as are or will be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2a

            The Committee considered a report in relation to the report of the Councillors’ Remuneration Panel and the Department of the Environment’s response to that report.

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided and noted also that the Political Reference Group was continuing to discuss the matter before the final proposals were submitted to the Environment Minister.

            The Director of Finance and Resources reminded the Committee that the Belfast Connection Voucher Scheme allowed small businesses and social enterprises within the new Belfast City Council boundary area to apply for grants of up to £3,000 in order to get high-speed broadband connections into their premises.  Following a successful market test phase which targeted seven areas in the City, the Voucher Scheme had now been opened up across the whole City.  The official launch of the Scheme, to which all Members had been invited to attend, would take place in the City Hall on 14th February.

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided.

            Belfast Super-connected City

            Arising out of discussion in the above-mentioned matter, the Director of Finance and Resources reported that he had, earlier that day, received correspondence from Transport NI, Department for Regional Development, confirming the use of street lighting for wi-fi connections as part of the Belfast Super-connected City project.  Accordingly, given the agreement of the Department, the Director of Finance and Resources sought the Committee’s authority to commence work on developing a digital strategy for the City of Belfast.

            The Committee granted the authority sought.