Council and democracy

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 3, Civic Offices, New Road, Grays, Essex RM17 6SL

Contact: Matthew Boulter, Democratic & Governance Services Manager and Deputy Monitoring Officer  Email: Direct.Democracy@thurrock.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

28.

Items of Urgent Business

To receive additional items that the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency, in accordance with Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Minutes:

The Chair highlighted he had accepted the DBS Check reports at the previously adjourned meeting on 3 February 2020.

29.

Declarations of Interests

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

30.

DBS Checks for Members

Minutes:

Councillor Johnson queried why not all Members should receive an enhanced check. It was explained that new guidance prevented enhanced checks if the role did not specifically require them by law.

 

Councillor Fish asked what measures would be in place if a Member moved into a position that required an enhanced check either temporarily or long term. Officers stated that if it was a one off situation then no check would be requested but if it was for a longer period then a check would be organised.

 

Members queried whether relevant results of checks could be shared with group leaders.

 

AGREED: That:

 

1.    Enhanced checks without barred list checks will be undertaken in respect of Members who are proposed to occupy specific roles as set out in paragraph 3.5c of this report.

 

2.    Basic Checks will be undertaken in respect of all other Members.

 

3.    The Council’s constitution be amended to require that Members of the committees and boards and the portfolio holders referred to in paragraph 3.5c of this report can only sit on those committees or boards or fill those portfolios, as relevant, if a satisfactory enhanced DBS check without barred list checks has first been carried out and that authority be delegated to the Council’s Monitoring Officer to make those changes to the Constitution so as to give effect to this recommendation.

 

31.

Recruitment of the Corporate Director of Children's Services

Minutes:

Members discussed the shortlisting pack. The committee noted Councillor Fish’s objections to the resolution.

 

AGREED that selected candidates be progressed to shortlisting assessment.