Agenda item

To consider a report by the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services (copy enclosed), on Welsh Government’s White Paper - ‘Devolution, Democracy and Delivery Reforming Local Government:  Power to Local People’.

 

A report by the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services (HLHRDS), on Welsh Government’s (WG) White Paper entitled Reforming Local Government: Power to Local People, (‘the Paper’), had been circulated with the papers for the meeting.

 

The Paper was the subject of consultation until 28^th April and the report sought to ascertain the Committee’s views on the proposals contained within the Paper, particularly those elements relating directly to corporate governance matters.  The Full version of the paper had been included as Appendix 1.

 

The HLHRDS introduced the report and explained that the extensive Paper included a number of clear policy proposals, a reiteration of previous policy commitments, such as mergers and links to Future Generations Bill, and a number of open ended questions seeking views on policy options.  Some of the proposals and policy options were complex but offered limited detail around how proposals would be implemented.  There were nine main chapters contained within the Paper which included a consultation survey, Appendix 2.  The Committee were requested to consider in particular the Chapter entitled ‘Corporate Governance and Improvement’ together with other areas of the Paper which impacted on corporate governance issues and had been identified in the report.

 

The difficulties faced in providing a response were outlined by the HLHRDS.  He explained it was proposed to draft a document to reply to every issue raised in the thirty page survey and to produce a cover document which provides an opinion, if agreed by Members, on the broadly positive themes in the White Paper.  However, the view be expressed that the White Paper concentrate on key issues and Denbighshire’s views on these issues be highlighted

 

The HLHRDS provided a detailed summary of the report which had focused on the following areas of the Paper:-

 

Paragraphs 2.12

Paragraph 2.10

Chapter 3, f, g

Paragraph 3.5

Chapter 4

Chapter 6

Paragraph 6.4

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

 

The main issues for consideration by the Corporate Governance Committee were outlined by the HLHRDS.  He referred to Welsh Government’s aspirations to improve and increase the standards of Leadership from a corporate governance aspect at officer and political level, with the proposed changes to the appointment process of senior officers in Local Authorities.  The three options considered to achieve the aims were outlined by the HLHRDS, particular reference being made to the possible introduction of a Public Sector Appointments Commission and the establishment of a Public Services Staff Commission   

 

The HLHRDS referred to the advantages to be achieved by welcoming the focus on corporate governance, leadership, performance and improvement and highlighting areas considered as good practise.  The Chair referred to the need for the Committee to focus and concentrate on governance issues when considering the content of the response.

 

During the ensuing discussion Members expressed their views in respect of the following issues:-

 

-                          the benefits to be achieved from sharing best practice processes, as currently undertaken in Denbighshire.

-                          the importance of the constitution of the respective Local Area Boards who contribute to the process.

-                          the significance of the involvement of local communities in decision making at a local level.

-                          the role, remit and future designation of Community Councils.

 

The HLHRDS explained that he had started to draft a narrative response from Denbighshire which incorporated responses to each of the tick boxes, highlighting any issues of concern and outlining areas considered to be major themes.  He emphasised the importance of Member involvement and the inclusion of their views in the response. 

 

The Chair agreed that the narrative response should be couched in a positive form, and expressed the view that many of the best practises had already been adopted and undertaken by the Authority.  It was felt the response should also include the concerns expressed in respect of specifics such as the membership of Local Area Boards and the administrative aspects.

 

Members considered the issue pertaining to the constitution of the Corporate Governance Committee, particular reference being made to the number and appointment of Independent Members.  The HLHRDS explained that he had started to draft the response in relation to Independent Members which included:-

 

·                 Independent Members would bring a fresh prospective with a different challenge and view point to Elected Members, and this had work well with regard to the Denbighshire Corporate Governance Audit Committee.  

·                 The Committee were pleased to note that it had not been suggested that there should be a majority of Independent Members.

·                 It was felt that chairs should not automatically be Independent Members, but this should not stop an Independent Member from being a chair, with the Committee appointing the chair.  

 

Mr P. Whitham highlighted the importance of Independent Members being knowledgeable, understanding and genuinely interested in serving as Member’s on Corporate Governance Committees, and he questioned if increasing the number of Independent Members serving on Corporate Governance Committees would address this issue.

 

Following further discussion, it was:-

 

RESOLVED – that, subject to Members comments, the Corporate Governance Committee:-

 

(a)            receives and notes the contents of the report, and

(b)            agrees that the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services drafts a response as outlined during the deliberation.

     (GW to Action)