Agenda item

The Executive considered an urgent action report seeking approval to alter the Scheme of Delegation of Functions to Officers so that provision could be made for the Chief Executive to take any necessary decisions during any restrictions on meetings, gatherings and travel as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

It was reported that prior to 2015, the Scheme of Delegation had included a delegation of powers to the Chief Executive in the event of a war or national emergency however this had been erroneously omitted from the Scheme when it had been fundamentally reviewed in 2015.  The proposals sought to reintroduce the delegation subject to a number of minor amendments as set out in the report.

RESOLVED that:

                    (i)             the General Principles of the Scheme of Delegations of Functions to Officers at Part 3, Section B of the Constitution be updated in respect of Executive Functions as set out below; and

                   (ii)             it be recommended to Full Council that the General Principles of the Scheme of Delegation of Functions to Officers at Part 3, Section B of the Constitution be updated in respect of non-Executive Functions, as set out below:

Approved Amendment

1.1       The Chief Executive, Executive Head of Service or Head of Service are authorised to determine matters of an urgent nature which cannot wait for the next meeting of the decision-making body which are not key decisions and which do not contravene established policies or budgets,

1.1.1     after consultation with the Leader and Mayor in relation to Council functions;

1.1.2        after consultation with the Leader or relevant Portfolio holder and with the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the relevant Scrutiny Committee in relation to Executive functions;

1.1.3        after consultation with the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the relevant regulatory or non-Executive Committee.

1.2       All matters will be reported to the next meeting of the appropriate decision-making body and will be advised to all Members by email.

1.3       In the event of a national emergency declared by the Crown or HM Government where it is considered it will be impractical to call meetings for an extended period of time, the Chief Executive will have authority to exercise all the powers, duties and functions exercised by the Council, the Executive or any of the committees, including the authority and power to delegate such powers, duties and functions.

1.4       Where the Chief Executive is unable to act for the purposes of 1.3 above, the Corporate Management Team, both individually and collectively, is authorised to perform this function.

1.5       Decision making, as set out at paragraph 1.3 will continue to be exercised in consultation with the Leader, or Deputy Leader or relevant Committee Chairman or Vice Chairman and, where appropriate, ward councillors where possible, but this provides for officers to continue to act in the event that this is not feasible.

1.6         This authority is time limited to a six-week period, following which any extension must be authorised by the Leader, or in his/her absence, the Deputy Leader.