Contact: Colin Hinxman - 7343

1. Summary

1.1. Part 3D paragraph 1.16 of the Constitution requires the Standards Committee to monitor the call-in procedure set out in paragraph 1.15. That duty is also set out in Part 1, paragraph 9.3(m): the Standards Committee's role and functions.

1.2. There have been four incidences of the call-in procedure being used in the 15 month period since the County Council's Constitution was adopted in September 2001. Details are set out in paragraph 2 below.

2. The Call-In Procedure

2.1. The four cases of call-in are set out in the table below:

2.2. With regard to the call-in on the waste management strategy and the associated funding bid to the Government, the Policy and Resources Policy Review Committee had previously requested to consider the item before a decision was made. However, this proved to be impossible due to a change to the Government's bidding timetable. The Policy Review Committee acknowledged the circumstances which had led to the Executive Member taking the decision earlier than anticipated and endorsed the action which he had taken.

2.3. With regard to the call-in relating to primary education in South West Basingstoke, the Education Policy Review Committee previously gave advice including the retention of a particular school which was taken into account by the Executive Member for Education. However, he decided on a strategy which combined elements of several options presented for consultation, but which entailed the closure of that particular school. That decision was called in, and following further review and debate, the Executive Member declined to change his decision. There was then an original motion on the subject submitted to the County Council in July 2002, when again, the decision taken by the Executive Member for Education was endorsed.

2.4. With regard to the permanent closure of the gypsy site at Dummer, the Policy and Resources Policy Review Committee had previously taken the opportunity to review County Council gypsy and traveller services. Several Members had indicated their opposition to the permanent closure of the Peak Copse Gypsy Site and gave notice of their intention to call-in such a decision if it were to be made by the Executive Member for Policy and Resources. In the event, he did take the decision to close the site permanently and that decision was called in for further review and debate. The outcome was that his decision was endorsed.

2.5. With regard to the Council Chamber sound system, the Executive Member for Policy and Resources decision was endorsed and a pilot scheme was held on a trial basis at the County Council meeting on 28 November 2002. It was also agreed that this should be among the subjects to be reviewed further by the newly established Buildings, Grounds and Contracts Panel.

3. Conclusion

3.1. With 845 decisions taken by the Cabinet, and by Executive Members acting individually, it is apparent that the call-in procedure is being used only on an exceptional basis. The first example recorded above shows an element of misunderstanding, whereas the remaining three examples indicate a more fundamental divergence of view which was resolved following further debate but without any change to the decision made. The Committee may therefore take the view that the call-in procedure is being operated responsibly and that there is no need for them to submit any recommendations for change to the County Council.

RECOMMENDATION

That this report be noted.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1 Published works.

2 Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

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