Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Executive Decision Record

1. The decision:

a) That the outcomes of the consideration by Standards Committee concerning the investigation by the Monitoring Officer into the unauthorised disclosure of confidential information, as detailed in paragraph 5 of the supporting report was noted.

b) To approve the suggestion of the Monitoring Officer to investigate how new procedures for improved governance and protection of confidential and exempt information might be achieved, including as detailed at paragraph 4.3 of the supporting report an interim protocol in the meantime, together with the implementation of such procedures following consultation with Standards Committee.

c) That the publication of Member attendance data in respect of formal meetings of the whole Council, Executive, Committees and Panels was approved together with some improvements to current business practices.

2. Reason(s) for the decision:

2.1. The County Council's Constitution was adopted in March 2001, and has been updated from time to time as a result of changes in the law and the Council's own procedural requirements. At its meeting on 16 July 2009, the County Council recognised that as a matter of good governance, a review both of the Constitution and business practices generally should be undertaken.

2.2. Part of the review of the Constitution focuses on procedures in respect of access of Members and Officers to reports containing exempt information. The supporting report sets out the legal position in respect of rights of access to exempt information, and suggests that as a matter of good governance, the County Council should develop from the legal position a set of business protocols relating to the distribution of exempt information, consistent with it being a modern business providing public services.

3. Other options considered and rejected:

3.1. Not applicable given that the County Council, on 16 July 2009, resolved to undertake a review of the Council's Constitution.

4. Conflicts of interest:

4.1. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker:

None

4.2. Conflicts of interest declared by other Executive Members consulted:

None

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee: none.

6. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent: not applicable.

7. Statement from the Decision Maker: