The report proposes changes to the Council’s governance arrangements and improvements to procedures to be followed at Council meetings.

The Head of Law and Governance submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) concerning the Governance Review. Jeremy Thomas presented the report to the Board and provides some further background and context to it. A list of updated recommendations and Council procedures was circulated at the meeting.

Councillor Ed Turner reminded the Board that this would be a recommendation to Council, which would take the final decision on the matter.

Councillor Jean Fooks addressed the Board on this matter.

The Board considered the report and commended Group Leaders of all parties for their work on it. There was consensus on many aspects of the review.  It noted that any changes would take effect from the start of the new Council year in May, and would be reviewed after a year. The Board also thanked Jeremy Thomas and Bill Reed for their valuable contribution.

The Board resolved that the recommendations in the report (as amended in relation to scrutiny and certain of the proposed Council procedures) be agreed for presentation to Council on 22^nd April 2013 in an updated report following this meeting.