Waverley Borough Council Committee System - Committee Document
Meeting of the Executive held on 04/12/2001
Article 10 - Area Committees and Forums
Article 10 – Area Committees and Forums
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Article 10 – Area Committees and Forums
10.01
Area committees
The Council may appoint area committees as it sees fit, if it is satisfied that to do so will ensure improved service delivery in the context of best value and more efficient, transparent and accountable decision making.
The Council will consult with relevant parish and town councils and the chairmen of relevant parish meetings when considering whether and how to establish area committees with powers beyond development control.
10.02
Form, composition and function
(a)
Table of area committees.
The Council will appoint the area committees as set out in the first column of the table below, composed as set out in the second column of that table and with the terms of reference set out in the third column.
Variation 3 – 4 Area Development Control Sub-Committees with decision-making powers within their area.
Name of Committee
Composition
Terms of Reference
Variation 3
Central, Eastern, Southern and Western Areas
Between 9 and 14 members of the authority all from area – political balance based on area.
Current Council policy to exercise only Development Control functions through the four areas subs.
(b)
Delegations.
The Council and the Executive will include details of the delegations to area committees in Part 3 of this Constitution, including the functions delegated (currently only Development Control functions are exercised), the composition and membership of the committees, budgets and any limitations on delegation.
10.03
Conflicts of Interest – Membership of Area Committees and Overview and Scrutiny Committees
(a)
Conflict of interest.
If an Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scrutinising specific decisions or proposals in relation to the business of the area committee of which the councillor concerned is a member, then the councillor may not speak or vote at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting unless a dispensation to do so is given by the Standards Committee.
(b)
General policy reviews.
Where the Overview and Scrutiny Committee is reviewing policy generally the member must declare his/her interest before the relevant agenda item is reached, but need not withdraw.
10.04
Area Committees – Access to Information
Area Committees will comply with the Access to Information Rules in Part 4 of this Constitution.
Agendas and notices for area committee meetings which deal with both functions of the executive and functions which are not the responsibility of the executive will state clearly which items are which.
10.05
Executive members on Area Committees
A member of the Executive may serve on an Area Committee if otherwise eligible to do so as a councillor.