Governance Arrangements
Renfrewshire Council · 29 February 2024
Back to Council — 29 February 2024 and its agenda
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To: Council On: 29 February 2024 Report by: Director of Finance and Resources Heading: Governance Arrangements 1. Summary 1.1 The report seeks approval from Council in respect of the appointment of the Council’s representatives on the Board of the Park Lane Developments (Renfrewshire) LLP. 1.2 The report sets out changes to Board memberships proposed by the Labour Group, and a consequential change to the Depute Convener of the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board. 1.3 The report also sets out a change to the Children and Young People’s Champion proposed by the SNP Group. 1.4 Finally, the report sets out proposed amendments to the Scheme of Delegations in respect of decisions on major events to be marked by the flying of flags from Council buildings, and by the lighting of Council buildings/property. 2. Recommendations Council is asked to: 2.1 Approve the appointment of Gordon McNeil and Louise Feely as directors of the Park Lane Developments (Renfrewshire) LLP. 2.2 Agree that Councillor Smith replaces Councillor Montgomery on the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board; 2.3 Agree that Councillor Montgomery replaces Councillor Smith on the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board; and
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2.4 Agree that Councillor McDonald be appointed Depute Convener of the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board. 2.5 Agree that Councillor MacFarlane replace Councillor Campbell as the Children and Young People’s Champion. 2.6 Approve the changes to the Scheme of Delegated Functions as set out in section 4 of this report. 3. Background – Changes to Council Appointees and Board Memberships 3.1 At the Council’s Meeting of 17 December 2009, in respect of the development of the former Arnotts site in Paisley, it was agreed that Mary Crearie, the Council’s then Director of Housing and Property Services would be appointed as one of the Council’s representatives on the Board of the Park Lane Developments (Renfrewshire) LLP. At the Council’s meeting of 28 February 2013 it was agreed that Fraser Carlin, the Council’s then Head of Planning & Development would be appointed as another representative on the same Board. Given that Mary Crearie and Fraser Carlin have both left their employment with the Council, it is appropriate that the Council appoint two new representatives on the Board. It is proposed that Gordon McNeil, Director of Environment, Housing and Infrastructure and Louise Feely, Head of Housing Services, be appointed as the required replacements on the Board. 3.2 The Labour Group has intimated that it wishes to replace Councillor Montgomery on the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board with Councillor Smith and replace Councillor Smith on the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board with Councillor Montgomery. 3.3 Councillor Montgomery is currently the Depute Convener of the Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Board. The Labour Group has proposed that Councillor McDonald be appointed as the new Depute Convener of that Board. 3.4 SNP Group has intimated that it wishes Councillor MacFarlane to replace Councillor Campbell as the Children and Young People’s Champion. 4. Amendment to Scheme of Delegated Functions 4.1 At the Council’s meeting of 28 April 2022, the Council agreed a new delegation to the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure to determine, in written consultation with the Heads of Corporate Governance and Facilities & Property Services, the Provost and political group leaders, which major events deserving of recognition in respect of which flags are to be flown from Council buildings.
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4.2 The first request to exercise this delegation was received by the Council recently. In considering the said request it was noted that the delegation did not involve any consultation with any of the independent Members. Accordingly, it is now proposed that the delegation be amended to include such a reference as follows: “To determine, in written consultation with the Heads of Corporate Governance and Facilities & Property Services, the Provost, political group leaders and independent Members, which major events are deserving of recognition in respect of which flags are to be flown from Council buildings.” 4.3 In reviewing this delegation, it was also noted that there is currently no delegation to determine any requests in respect of the lighting up of Council buildings and property. It is therefore proposed that Section 5D of the Scheme of Delegations be amended to include a new delegation to the Director of Environment, Housing & Infrastructure as follows: “5. To determine, in written consultation with the Heads of Corporate Governance and Facilities & Property Services, the Provost, political group leaders and independent Members, which major events are deserving of recognition by way of the lighting up of Council buildings and property.” And that the remaining paragraphs are renumbered accordingly. Implications of the Report 1. Financial – none 2. HR & Organisational Development – none 3. Community/Council Planning – none 4. Legal – none 5. Property/Assets – none 6. Information Technology – none 7. Equality & Human Rights - The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report as it deals with Member appointments to Boards. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. (Report author to arrange this).
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8. Health & Safety – none 9. Procurement – none 10. Risk – none 11. Privacy Impact – none 12. CoSLA Policy Position – none 13. Climate change - none List of Background Papers None Author: Mark Conaghan Head of Corporate Governance 0300 300 0287 mark.conaghan@renfrewshire.gov.uk