To agree the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 21 June 2022, as a correct record.

Resolved: That the minutes from the meeting on the 21 June 2022 be agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Any interest not already registered

There were None.

There were none.

Members considered a report which outlined a proposal to submit a final consultation response to the Boundary Commission for England (BCE) for the proposed changes to local Parliamentary boundaries expected to take effect in 2023.

The report laid out that as the BCE was due to publish its revised proposals around 8 November, a final consultation period would ensue lasting 4 weeks. The report therefore sought the Committee’s approval to either; issue a statement of support for the revised proposals if they were aligned with the Council’s counter proposals, or give Members the opportunity to submit further views to Officers to be collated and then approved by the Chairman of the Governance Committee. The Council’s final response would then be submitted to the BCE.

Members discussed the report and highlighted the importance of ensuring that as much input was received from Members as possible which would be collated to provide a thorough response for submission. 

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved: That it be recommended to Council that:

(a)  the revised proposals from the Boundary Commission for England (BCE) for the Parliamentary boundaries for the Sevenoaks District Council area due to be published around 8 November, be noted; and

(b) Council submit a final consultation response to the Boundary Commission for England in accordance with one of the options below:

ii.           If the revised proposals directly align to the Council’s counter proposal submitted to the initial consultation, a statement of support for that proposal be drafted, or

iii.          If the initial proposals were unchanged, or do not align directly with the Council’s counter proposal that Members be provided with the opportunity to submit further views to Officers for collation, to inform a draft, final consultation response, agreed with the Chairman of Governance Committee. Members’ views would be collated through a short survey or drop in session

At its meeting on the 13 April 2022 the Committee determined to constitute a Working Group to propose adjustments to Part 7 of the Constitution concerning Development Control Committee procedures. The Monitoring Officer presented the final report of the Working Group.

The Working Group had considered various practices of the Development Control Committee. The Changes consisted of bringing practices up to date, alterations to streamline meetings and codify existing practices in regards to presentations by speakers.

The Chairman thanked the Working Group for their input and thanked the Officers for lending their time to assist.

Members discussed the report and associated appendix.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved: That it be recommended to Council that the amendments to Part 7 of the Constitution as laid out in the report and appendix take affect from the 2023/24 municipal year.

The Monitoring Officer presented the report which updated Members that following the annual review of the Councils Policy Framework (appendix F), the Community Safety Strategy and Action Plan was required to be adopted by Council and therefore was unable to be adopted by Cabinet.

Members discussed the report and asked questions of clarification. The Monitoring Officer advised that the Council’s Policy Framework was under review annually and would be kept updated and in-line with legislation and other guidance.

          Resolved: That the report be noted.

The Work Plan was noted.