Governance Scrutiny Panel (Special Meeting) 18 February 2020

Chairman: Councillor Robinson
Venue:  Conference Room, Room F01e, Church Square House, 30-40 High Street, Scunthorpe
Time:  3:30 pm
E-mail:  matthew.nundy@northlincs.gov.uk
AGENDA

1.  Substitutions.

2.  Declarations of Personal or Personal and Prejudicial Interest and Declarations of Whipping Arrangements (if any).

3.  Item requested for call-in, in accordance with paragraph 22 of Part D Rule 5 (Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules) of the council’s constitution.

Minute 9 of the Deputy Leader Cabinet Member meeting held on 12 February 2020 – Approval of Community Grant Applications.

4.  Any other items which the chairman decides are urgent by reason of special circumstances which must be specified.

MINUTES

PRESENT: –  Councillor Robinson in the chair.

Councillors Gosling (Vice-Chair) and Longcake.

Councillors Swift and Yeadon attended the meeting in accordance with Procedure Rule 1.37(b).

The panel met at Church Square House, Scunthorpe.

30      DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS AND PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – There were no declarations of personal or personal and prejudicial interests

No whip was declared.

31      ITEM REQUESTED FOR CALL-IN IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 22 OF PART D RULE 5 (OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY PROCEDURE RULES) OF THE COUNCIL’S CONSTITUTION – Minute 9 of the Deputy Leader Cabinet Member meeting held on 12 February 2020 – Approval of Community Grant Applications – The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, and invited a nominee of the members who had requested the call-in to speak on the above decision and question the Cabinet Member.  Councillors Swift and Yeadon outlined areas of concern as reasons for seeking a review of the above decision.  Namely –

  • It did not fit with the ethos and guidance in relation to the allocation of community grants scheme, and
  • The identified exception within the decision was vague and required clear explanation and reasoning for the use of public money.

The decision was also considered to be contrary to the policy framework or contrary to, or not wholly in accordance with the budget, for the following reason –

  • Yes – refer to Director’s report (paragraph 2.2) and the allocation of agreed budget for community grant scheme”.

Following a discussion on the above issues, the Deputy Leader Cabinet Member was invited to respond to the concerns and reasons for the decision being called in, and be held to account for the decision taken.

The Director: Adults and Community Wellbeing, who was also in attendance, was invited to comment.

Resolved – That no further action be taken, and the Approval of Community Grant Applications decision of the Deputy Leader Cabinet Members (minute 9 refers) be implemented with immediate effect.

(Councillor Gosling wished to be recorded as dissenting from the above decision).

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