Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and give notification of substitution.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Mitchelson and Councillor Mrs Glendinning.

Members are invited to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests, other registrable interests and any other interests in respect of items on this agenda at this stage.

No declarations of interest were submitted.

To agree that the items of business within Part A of the agenda should be dealt with in public and that items of business within part B of the agenda should be dealt with in private.

RESOLVED - That items in Part A be dealt with in public, there were no items in private be dealt with in Part B.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 10 October 2022
(Copy minutes herewith)

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 October 2022 were submitted for confirmation.  A Member commented that he did not feel that the minutes accurately reflected his opinion and the discussion that the Committee had on the number of Independent Persons and the associated costs.

Following a lengthy debate the Chair moved, and the Vice Chair seconded, that the first line of the third paragraph had the words ‘due to cost’ added to clarify that the debate had been due to financial concerns.

Following a vote it was

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 October 2022 be agreed as a correct record with the insertion of the words ‘due to cost’:

“Members debated the necessity of having five Independent Persons due to cost.”  

The Monitoring Officer to submit a report which requests the grant of Dispensation pursuant to section 33 of the Localism Act so that Shadow Councillors are able to participate in the setting of Council Tax and also make representations to meetings when they have a disclosable pecuniary interest, providing the public have a similar such right to make representations.
(Copy report herewith)

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report requesting the grant of Dispensation pursuant to Section 33 of the Localism Act so that Shadow Councillors are able to participate in the setting of Council Tax and also make representations to meetings when they have a disclosable pecuniary interest, providing the public have a similar such right to make representations.

RESOLVED - In accordance with Section 33 of the Localism Act 2011, that the Shadow Standards Committee granted a dispensation for the remainder of the shadow period to each Councillor of the Shadow Authority of the Cumberland Council who has submitted a written request:

a. When the business of the Meeting related to setting the Council Tax under the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (or any subsequent legislation) and where they, (or their spouse/civil partner, etc.) had a disclosable pecuniary interest as a result of property interests within the Cumberland District (including owning or renting a home within the district);

b. Where a Councillor had Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any business of the Council to allow them to attend a Meeting but only for the purpose of making representations, answering questions or giving evidence in relation to the business provided that the public are also allowed to attend the Meeting for the same purpose, whether under a statutory right or otherwise. Once any such representations had been made, the Councillor must leave the room as required by Standing Order 21.3 of the Shadow Authority for Cumberland Council’s Procedure Rules.