To discuss the following matters raised by Local Council’s:
(1) Update - Invite to County Councillor Mrs Tracey Chapman, Portfolio Holder and/or County Councillor P Channer, Deputy Portfolio Holder for Highways to speak on Highways issues, principally the North Essex Parking Partnership.
At the meeting of the Local Council’s Liaison Committee on 21 July 2011 members requested that the County Council Portfolio Holder for Highways be invited to speak and answer questions on Highways issues, principally the North East Parking Partnership. An invite was subsequently sent to County Councillor Mrs T Chapman who responded that she could not attend the committee meeting on 3 November. An invite was also extended to the Deputy Portfolio Holder for Highways, County Councillor Mrs P Channer, who also could not attend. Officers attempted to approach the North Essex Parking Partnership for a representative to attend the Committee but this was felt not to be feasible. At the request of the committee invites had been passed again to these County Councillors to attend this meeting, however they are unable to attend.
(2) New Standards Regime
Councillor S Jackman to update the committee.
Parish and Town Councils to note the Repeat Session - Localism Act 2011 - Briefing on New Standards Regime that will be held at the Civic Offices on Friday 23 March 2012 at 7 p.m. (Please contact Kim Partridge to confirm attendance 01902 564443).
(3) Improved Representation
Branch members were concerned that the successful future of the Local Council Liaison Committee (LCLC) depended on improved representation from Parish Council members. Branch requested that the LCLC give consideration to arrangements for future consultations with a view to increasing Parish/Town Councils’ attendance.
Minutes:
(1) Update - Invite to County Councillor Mrs Tracey Chapman, Portfolio Holder and/or County Councillor P Channer, Deputy Portfolio Holder for Highways to speak on Highways issues, principally the North Essex Parking Partnership.
The Chairman noted with regret that that neither the Portfolio Holder or Deputy Portfolio Holder for Highways could attend previous Local Councils’ Liaison Committee’s and that the Committee felt let down by these events.
County Councillor G McEwen advised that his colleagues sent their apologies for being to unable to attend, although County Members had received an email about a briefing on Local Highways Panels within the County, where local people decide on the issues rather than County Council Officers. A proportion of funding would be dissolved to each District and for Epping Forest a sum had been worked out as £700,000 for traffic improvements. The panel would comprise of the 7 County Members and 7 District Members to decided on matters concerning Epping Forest District.
County Councillor Pond advised that the Parking Partnership was not within the Local Highways Panel’s remit and therefore who should be contacted about the concerns regarding about parking issues and problems with the District. County Councillor McEwen reported that he would take these questions back to the County Council to get answers.
Councillor Jackman advised that EEC had given her a contact number to distribute for highways complaints, which was 0845 6037631.
The Portfolio Holder for Safer, Greener and Highways advised that she had recently received a presentation from the Parking Partnership at District level and found this gave a lot of relevant information and enquired whether LCLC would like to have the Parking Partnership attend a future meeting.
RESOLVED:
That the Parking Partnership would be invited to attend the LCLC on 8 November.
(2) New Standards Regime
Councillor Pond thanked District Council Officers, I Willett and C O Boyle for their recent Briefing on the new standards regime and also the Essex Monitoring Group that have become a National Leader in setting the ground rules, following the demise of the Standards board on the 30 June 2012. He advised that hopefully there would be some consistency between the tiers of Local government, County, District and Parish/Town. The Essex Association of Local Councils discussed forming a joint committee for Parish and Town Complaints, and the County and District to have their own Standards Committee. The District Monitoring Officer would also act as the Parish and Town Councils Monitoring Officer.
Councillor Pond had drafted some thoughts on a constitution for the Standards Regime and had requested comments from the Parish and Town Councils. Once the comments had been received, a small working party would be formed. A report had been submitted to the District Council Meeting on the 27 March 2012, for the District to consider options for the new Standards regime and also agree none discretionary items.
Councillor Pond enquired about advise from the District Council Finance Officer regarding the precept of the Standards Committee. The Assistant to the Chief Executive advised that he would investigate and advise.
RESOLVED:
1. That Parish and Town Councils respond to Councillor Pond’s draft constitution on the New Standards Regime; and
2. that the Assistant to the Chief Executive seeks advice from the Director of Finance on financial issues for the joint Standards Committees.
(3) Improved Representation
Councillor Jackman requested that all Local Councils make an attempt to attend these meetings.