Issue - decisions

Consultation About Area Joint Committee Proposal

Decision of:

Councillor Tim Ward, Executive Councillor for  Planning and Climate Change

Reference:

14/URGENCY/CNCL/4

Date of decision:          

10/04/14

Recorded on: 

10/04/14

Decision Type:

Key

Matter for Decision:

The Executive Councillor is asked to approve a response to a consultation by Cambridgeshire County Council concerning a future Area Joint Committee proposal.

Why the decision had to be made (and any alternative options):

County Council officers are preparing a report to the Constitution and Ethics Committee of the County Council about reinstating a Cambridge Area Joint Committee and the views of the City Council are invited.

The Executive Councillor’s decision(s):

To support the proposed Area Joint Area Committee Terms of Reference appended to this Decision with the committee comprising 12 elected members drawn equally from Cambridgeshire County and Cambridge City Councils.

Reasons for the decision:

The proposed committee working within the attached Terms of Reference will facilitate improved decision making on transport matters within Cambridge.

Scrutiny consideration:

The Chair and Spokesperson of Environment Scrutiny Committee were consulted prior to the action being authorised. The Opposition Spokesperson made the points set out in the attached document. The Chair supported the proposals. The Executive Councillor has reviewed the Spokespersons comments and is of the view that the proposed Terms of Reference address concerns that the committee will be able to make decisions and will also fit within the structure of county committees. On the issue of elected member numbers he is of the view that 12 members is the optimum number to ensure good decision making in this case.

Report:

As above

Conflicts of interest:

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.

Comments:

None