The way in which South Ayrshire Council makes decisions could change after the Local Government Election on 3 May 2007, following a decision by members of the Policy and Resources Committee to recommend a new decision making structure. The new Council, at its first meeting, will consider these recommendations.

After the Election in South Ayrshire there will be eight multi-Member Wards, serviced by either three or four Elected Members.  In anticipation of the changes in October 2006 a Working Group was established to review the Council’s decision making practise and procedures, to examine current arrangements within other authorities and to bring forward recommendations for consideration and implementation by those who are elected to South Ayrshire Council on 3 May 2007. 

Known as the 2007 Working Group and comprising of six Elected Members and supported by the Chief Executive, Depute Chief Executive and other Officers the Group has been meeting since October 2006 and has reviewed:

• Performance of the current Council Committee system, in operation since 2003.
• Processes and structures employed by authorities in Scotland and England.

The Group decided the current Council Committee system is no longer fit for purpose due to:

• The duties and expectations placed on a modern Scottish Local Authority.
• Specific responsibilities of Elected Members in respect of scrutiny and accountability.
• Best Value regime.

The Group concluded that an Executive-type structure based on a Leadership Panel with stronger effective scrutiny should be implemented in the short term and, after a reasonable period of operation, a further review should be carried out by members of the ‘new’ Council.  Under the new operating system for the Council it will continue to have the following key responsibilities:

• Appointment and annual review of the positions of the Provost and Leader of the Council and membership of the Leadership Panel, Standing Scrutiny Panels and other decision making structures.
• Approval, review and amendment of strategic policy framework of the Council.
• Setting annual Revenue and Capital Budgets, Council Tax and Council House rents.
• Holding the Leadership Panel to account for its decisions and actions.
• Monitoring and overseeing the Council’s Corporate Governance arrangements and constitutional requirements.
• The full Council will meet on a scheduled basis every 8 weeks (subject to review) and its procedures will be governed by the revised and updated Standing Orders.
• Full Council will be chaired by the Provost/Civic Head.

The proposals include introducing the following:

• Leadership Panel

Portfolio

• Overview and Scrutiny Management Panel
• Standing Scrutiny Panels
• Standards/Governance Panel
• Other Decision Making Panels

As a result of the changes other Council documents will need to be amended to reflect the new system, such as Standing Orders relating to meetings, the Scheme of Delegation and the Terms of Reference.

Anyone who would like to view the details of the proposals can do so by logging onto www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk

March 2007