Special Scrutiny Co-ordinating Board Minutes: 9 June 2011

Present:

Scb/14/6/11 Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest or party whip at this meeting.

Scb/15/6/11 Call In of a Decision of the Leader: Eden Credit Union

The Panel considered report CLS24/11 of the Director of Corporate and Legal Services setting out the details of a request to Call in a decision of the Leader in respect of an application for financial support from the Council's Community Fund.

The Decision to refuse funding for the Eden Credit Union had been made at the Leader's meeting held on 26 April 2011. In accordance with the Constitution, the Call in request had been submitted to the Director of Corporate and Legal Services within five working days of the publication of the Decision.

The Chairman noted the procedure for the meeting and outlined the options open to the Board to resolve either:

1. That the decision is contrary to the policy framework or budget and to refer the decision to Council, or
2. It has concerns and to refer the matter back to the Leader, or
3. To take no further action.

The Chairman introduced Councillors M Eyles and G Nicolson as the witnesses in respect of the Call in.

Councillor M Eyles presented the case for Call in on behalf of himself and the following other signatories to the call in:

Former Councillors G Lumley and E Robinson.

The basis of the call in was that the decision had been made contrary to the Council's policy to 'support those on low income' Councillor Eyles explained that the recommendation to the Leader had been defer the decision and that by refusing the application this would discourage other possible contributors the Credit Union Project.

Councillor G Nicolson answered the Call in by explaining that the Council having already supported the Credit Union with 'start-up' funding previously, he did not consider that this application for £10,000, which would serve as capital for lending, was the appropriate or intended purpose of the Community Fund.

Members asked questions of Councillors Eyles and Nicolson

Councillors Eyles, Nicolson, and the press and public withdrew from the meeting at 5.55pm whilst Members considered the issues and received legal advice.

Motion by Councillor R Howse
Seconded by Councillor N Hughes

That the Leader's decision to refuse the request for financial support for the Eden Credit Union be referred to Council.

Following receipt of Legal Advice, and with the consent of the Seconder, the Motion was withdrawn.

Motion by Councillor J Thompson
Seconded by Councillor S Simpson

And RESOLVED (Councillor N Hughes abstaining)

1. that the Board takes no further action in respect of the call in, and
2. the Director of Corporate and Legal Services be requested to remind officers who complete Portfolio Holder Decision Notices, to include full reasons for decisions in the space provided.

Councillors Eyles, Nicolson, and the press and public rejoined the meeting at 6.18pm and were informed of the Resolution.

The meeting closed at 6.21pm