Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed those present and provided housekeeping information. 

Apologies were received from Councillor Steve Pearce (who was substituted by Councillor Ellie King) and Councillor Geoff Gollop. 

There were no declarations of interest. 

The minutes from the meeting on 29 September 2023 were approved as a correct record. 

Members noted the decision log. 

Up to 30 minutes is allowed for this item.

Any member of the public or Councillor may participate in Public Forum. The detailed arrangements for so doing are set out in the Public Information Sheet at the back of this agenda.

Public Forum items should be emailed to committeesystem@bristol.gov.uk and please note that the following deadlines will apply in relation to this meeting:

Questions - Written questions must be received 3 clear working days prior to the meeting. For this meeting, this means that your question(s) must be received in this office at the latest by 5pm on Monday 23^rd October 2023.

Petitions and Statements - Petitions and statements must be received on the working day prior to the meeting. For this meeting this means that your submission must be received in this office at the latest by 12 Noon on Thursday 26^th October 2023.

RESOLVED: That the public forum be noted. 

The Director of Legal and Democratic Services introduced the report which had been prepared on behalf of the Area Committees Sub Group and set out options for enhancing the role of Area Committees from May 2024. The key points were as follows: 

• Phase 1 outlined the deliverable activity that could be implemented from May 2024, including a range of activities in relation to both allocation of funding and also enhanced consultation and engagement. Phase 2 are recommendations to be considered for potential implementation post May 2024 but require further work to assess the feasibility and cost. 
• Members asked that ‘holding delivery of services to account’ be replaced with ‘receiving updates about service delivery.’  
• Consideration must be given to the geographical boundaries of the Area Committees with details to be brought back to the subsequent meeting.  
• It was noted that Phase 2 of the expansion of the Area Committees could potentially explore the use of funding from a range of sources.  
• The Committee agreed with the options for local decision making that were not recommended, as set out in the report. 

RESOLVED 

·       The Committee agreed with the principle of a phased approach to the development of local decision-making options. 

·       The Committee supported the phase 1 options for local decision making from May 2024.  subject to replacing ‘holding services to account’ with ‘receiving updates about service delivery.’ 

·       The Committee supported the phase 2 options for local decision making, which could potentially be considered in the future.  

The Director of Legal and Democratic Services introduced the report which covered recommendations in a variety of areas. 

• The Committee agreed the recommendations for the Escalation Panel, Downs Committee, Harbour Committee, and Lead Member for Childrens Services role as set out.  
• Members approved the proposal to retain the Executive Objection Procedure.  
• The Committee considered the proposals in relation to public forum, agreeing that a maximum of 3 questions, with 2 supplementary questions be permitted and the deadlines for statements be changed to 2 working days before the meeting. 

• Members went on to consider the word limit for public forum statements and there was consensus that 1000 words was the appropriate limit.   
• The Group discussed limiting public forum submissions to only those who live or own a business in Bristol, but this option was disregarded. 

RESOLVED 

• The Committee support the proposal to incorporate the governance arrangements for the Downs Committee into Part 3 of the Councils Constitution. 
• The Committee support the proposal to incorporate the governance arrangements for a Harbour Committee into Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution. 
• The Chair of the Children & Young People Policy Committee would discharge the responsibilities of the Lead Member for Childrens Services. 
• Retention of a process similar to the Executive Objection Procedure for senior officer appointments. 
• That Public Forum submissions should not be limited to those who live and work in Bristol. 
• That Public Forum questions for all committees (regular and policy) be limited to 3 questions, with a maximum of 2 supplementary questions overall. 
• That the deadline for Public Forum statements for all committees (regulatory and policy) be 12 noon, 2 working days before the meeting. 
• That there be a 1000 word maximum for all public forum statements.  
• The Committee support the proposals for appointments to, and chairing of, the Escalation Panel. 

The Committee noted the work programme.