Issue - meetings

No.

Name 

Question 

PQ 01

Dan Ackroyd

Q1. Meetings in Bristol City Council have a recurring problem with senior council members talking out of turn, to talk over other people, and currently the people chairing meetings seem to take no action against this disruption. What changes are going to be made to how meetings are run to make this less of an issue under the committee system?

A1. This is a question for the Committee Members to answer.

   PQ 02

Clive Stevens

Q2. Agenda item 4 - decisions log: In the February sessions you decided to constitute an Escalations Panel. This was in response to issues about scrutiny and ensuring decision making is to the best benefit of the public as a whole. I do not see from the Work Programme that you have allocated time for further discussion about this valuable new addition to Bristol City Council’s system of governance. Could you consider including time for further discussion and decisions please to refine the workings of the Escalations Panel? (I would be very happy to furnish some examples of why it is an important addition to the Committee System).

A2. In July 23, the CMWG will be agreeing the remainder of their Work Programme for 23/24. Items will include consideration of any areas, such as the Escalation Panel, where more details may be required before redrafting or preparing the relevant parts of the Constitution can commence.

PQ 03

Clive Stevens

Q3. Agenda item 7 – Roles and Responsibilities of Councillors: There doesn’t appear to be any mention in the current report of councillors’ requirements to scrutinise the information provided to them. Given that you have decided to build scrutiny into the job tasks of each committee, could you consider adding this job to committee members please?

A3. Members of the CMWG are invited to share their views on this suggestion.

PQ 04

Clive Stevens

Q4. Agenda item 7 - Appendix A part 6 - Chair of a Policy Committee – Generic Chairs’

Responsibilities. (Para 2, top of page 8 of 11). This paragraph requires the chair of a policy committee to be impartial. I don’t think this is possible in many cases and could become grounds for challenge. The chair needs to be fair and run a meeting in such a way as to facilitate open discussions etc. Clearly a chair mustn’t be pre-determined but I don’t think they need to pretend to be impartial, being fair is sufficient.  Please consider the use of the word impartial in that specific clause?

A4. The Nolan Principles state that ‘holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.’ Therefore, use of the term impartial is consistent.

PQ 05

Clive Stevens

Q5. Agenda item 7 - Appendix A part 6 - Chair of a Policy Committee – Generic Chairs’

Responsibilities. (Para 2, top  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5

No. 

Name 

Question 

PQ 01

Suzanne Audrey

Q1. At your previous meeting decisions were made about scrutiny. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend that meeting as I was away. There have been concerns about scrutiny in Bristol. Please can you explain how scrutiny will be improved with the proposed new arrangements compared with the current system under an elected mayor?

A1. Members have agreed that the core functions of Scrutiny i.e., to consider decisions and undertake policy development, can be conducted effectively in the Policy Committees.  This will prevent the duplication that would arise from two separate groups of politically proportionate Councillors looking at the same information in different places and enable Councillors to have oversight of decisions at every stage.  However, in recognition of the possibility that some decisions may still benefit from additional review, Members have agreed that a cross party Escalation Panel will be established to consider matters if there are concerns that a decision is not being made in accordance with the principles outlined in Article 14 of the Council's Constitution.  For further details please see the minutes from our previous meeting and also the debate at the Full Council meeting on 14^th March 23, which is available via the webcast on our website.

   PQ 02

Suzanne Audrey

Q2. In making decisions about the number and responsibilities of committees, are you also able to incorporate factors relating to the composition of those committees e.g., gender balance?

A2.  Each Group will be responsible for making appointments to the Policy Committees once they're established, which will be communicated by the Group Whips.  In doing so, the Groups will attempt to ensure diverse representation on Committees where possible, subject to factors such as Members' availability.

PQ 03

Councillor Martin Fodor

Q3. There are various budgets and functions needed by every local authority, e.g. press team, external and internal comms, consultation and engagement work, international links, policy advice for the leadership and dealing with contact from residents, partners and stakeholders. In Bristol much has been centralised into the Mayor's office. Please itemise all the functions, teams, and separate budgets in the Mayor's office for Financial year 2023-24 and beyond, i.e., identify details for those which are still in the council budget for Financial Year 2024-25 onwards.

A3. The 23/24 budget was approved by Full Council in February 23 and includes details of the Executive Office budget, which includes the Mayor’s Office and is part of the Legal and Democratic Services division.  The other areas that you mention sit within the Policy and Strategy division.  As part of the development of the budget for 24/25 we will be reviewing the Executive Office/Mayor's Office budget.

PQ 04

Councillor Martin Fodor

Q4. What is known about core cites and comparator authorities about their arrangements and budgets for such teams and functions inc. noting which governance arrangements each has.

A4. Every Council manages its  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5