Guidance on personal and personal prejudicial interests is attached to these agenda pages.

No declarations of interest were made at the meeting.

Members of the public may, if the Board Member agrees, ask a question of the Board Member on any item for decision on this agenda (other than on the minutes).  The full text of any question must be notified to the Head of Law and Governance by no later than 9.30 am two clear working days before the meeting.  Questions by the public will be taken as read and, at the Board Member’s discretion, responded to either orally or in writing at the meeting.  No supplementary question or questioning will be permitted.

The total time permitted for this item will be 15 minutes.

Nigel Gibson addressed the meeting and said that it was not clear why this was being proposed.  He felt that the stated objectives when compared to the background papers were more of a reputation issue for the Council and wondered whether this was an initial step to close down democracy.

In response Councillor John Tanner said that the Council was trying to reduce the amount of litter in the City centre.  In the past there had been problems with commercial organisations handing out leaflets and this was why the initial scheme was introduced and at that time it was stated that the scheme would be reviewed.  He added that the amended scheme would exclude political, religious and charities from requiring a license.  The Bus Companies would also be exempt for a further 6 months.

City Councillors may, at the Board Member’s discretion, ask a question or address the Board Member on an item for decision on the agenda (other than on the minutes).  The full text of any question and the nature of any address must be notified to the Head of Law and Governance by no later than 9.30 am two clear working days before the meeting.  Questions by councillors will be taken as read and, at the Board Member’s discretion, responded to either orally or in writing at the meeting.  No supplementary question or questioning will be permitted.  If an address is made, the Board member will either respond or have regard to the points raised in reaching her or his decision.  If the address is by the Chair of a Scrutiny Committee or her or his nominee then the Board member will be required to say as part of their decision whether they accept the Scrutiny recommendations made.

None made.

Report of the Head of Environmental Development attached.

The Head of Environmental Development submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) following a review of the existing Leaflet Consent Scheme for the distribution of free printed matter.

Resolved to agree the proposed changes to the Leaflet Consent Scheme for the distribution of free printed matter as set out in the report.

If the Board member wishes to exclude the press and the public from the meeting during consideration of any of the items on the exempt from publication part of the agenda, it will be necessary for the Board member to pass a resolution in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 21(1)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000 on the grounds that their presence could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in specific paragraphs of Schedule I2A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Board member may maintain the exemption if and so long as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

None.