reforming local government: power to local people north montgomeryshire local council forum

Reforming Local Government:Power to Local People

NORTH MONTGOMERYSHIRE LOCAL COUNCIL FORUM


• INTRODUCTION

What we need to look at• The Bill and the White Paper• Reform not re-organisation• Programme for all of this


• THE BILL

• The purpose of the Bill• The purpose of the White Paper• Timescales• Powers to the Minister


• THE WHITE PAPER

• The last chance to really comment on the bill that will follow which brings in wide ranging changes to local government.


• SECTIONS• Balancing the responsibilities of Welsh Government & Local Authorities• Renewing democracy• Connecting to communities• Corporate governance and improvement• Performance in local government• Strengthening the role of review• Reforming local government finance• Impact Assessments


• Balancing the responsibilities of Welsh Government & Local Authorities

• What is this section about?

• Clarity• 2.1 Do you think Local Authorities in Wales should be called Counties?• 2.2 Do you think Local Authorities should be able to nominate their

chair as Mayor?• 2.4 Should Local Authorities in Wales be granted a general power of

competence?• 2.6 Should the provisions of the Deregulation and Contacting Out Act

1994 as they apply to Local Authorities be reviewed?• 2.8 Official Procedure – timing and how it is done• 2.9 Should local authorities issue information in ‘plain language’?


• Renewing democracy – County Councils

• What is this all about?

• Standardisation• 3.1 How long should a Council term be?• 3.2 Should Councils elect on a rolling basis?• 3.4 Should leaders be required to have a manifesto on which to be

elected?• 3.6 Should leaders be required to issue an annual report on their

achievements?• 3.7 Should leaders or Mayors responsibilities be set out in legislation?• 3.8 Should leaders set objectives for Cabinet and or Chief Executives?• 3.13 Should the roles of cabinet members be set in legislation?


Renewing democracy

RUNNING THE COUNTY COUNCIL

• 3.16 Should the number of members in the cabinet be reduced from the current 10?

• 3.17 How many cabinet members do you think there should be?• 3.19 Should there be junior cabinet positions to allow for

progression?

3.21 Should there be a training and development programme for Councilors?

• 3.23 Should duties of elected members be set in legislation?• 3.24 What should those duties be?• 3.25 Should elected members be required to give an annual

report?


Renewing democracy – County CouncilsSet Standards

3.31 Standards Committees – enhancing powers

3.37 Recall of County Councilor provoking an election

3.39 Cabinet appointments and diversity

3.44 Youth Councils

3.46 Release of employees to be Councilors

3.47 County Councilors remuneration


Renewing democracy – County Councils

How long should terms of office be?

3.5 County Councilor terms of office.

3.52 Cabinet and leaders terms of office.

3.54 Serving both County and Welsh Government.

3.55 Staff standing for election.

3.56 Role definitions in law

3.65 Term limits of Chief Executives

3.70 Renumeration of Senior Officers

3.75 Consistancy of Senior Officers


• Connecting with communities


4.1 Neighbourhood Management4.4 Community governance – set by County Council4.12 Review structure and role of Town and Community Councils4.13 Review by County Councils of Town/Community Council roles

(by 2022)4.15 Size of Town and Community Councils – how many?



4.19 Tests for Town and Community Councils– Democracy– Town Clerk qualifications– Minimum budget of £200,000 – Financial management– ? Welsh Language– ? Members of representative bodies (i.e. OVW or N&MWALC)




• Roles and Responsibilities

4.28 Public questions and recording of meetings.4.29 Reporting by Chair of Council each year.4.30 Chair setting objectives for Town Clerk.

4.32 Being a Town/Community and County Councilor?4.33 Serving more than one Town or Community Council

Clerks serving more than one Town or Community Council

5.1 Standards of Town and Community CouncilsPower of Competence to Town/Community Councils




• Standards for Community Bodies (3rd Sector)


• Corporate governance and improvement


Audit Committee

6.2 Chair of Audit Committee

6.3 Make up of Audit Committee

6.29 Intervention by Ministers of Welsh Government

6.39 Local Government Wales Measure 2009 (Fire Service etc)


• Performance in local government


7.1 Corporate and strategic plans

Performance reports and a single information portal

Minimum standards

Digital, social media and web sites


• Performance in local government

• Council meetings

7.31 Right of public to record proceedings

7.32 Right of public to twitter or social media information

7.33 Public views on main Council agenda


• Strengthening the role of review

• What is this all about

8.1 Democratic Services

8.6 Scrutiny

8.28 Review periods

Public accounts committee

External reviews


• Reforming local government finance


9.8 Consultations

9.9 How information is offered

9.11 Financial transparency


• Impact Assessments


• What impact if any will this have on:• Welsh Language• Impact on Children• Equalities• Other issues


NORTH MONTGOMERYSHIRE LOCAL COUNCIL FORUM

reforming local government: power to local people north montgomeryshire local council forum

Documents

local people sections

local people introduction

democracy county councils

minister slide

general power of competence

roles of cabinet members

cabinet appointments

duties of elected members