Agenda Item No: 6
THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN COUNCIL
CABINET: 9TH MAY, 2007
REFERENCE FROM: SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (CORPORATE
RESOURCES): 24TH APRIL, 2007
“TIMETABLE OF MEETINGS: MAY 2007 – MAY
2008 (REF) –
The above matter was considered at the meeting
of Cabinet held on 28th March, 2007.
Councillor Mrs. M. Kelly Owen had called-in
resolution (2) of Cabinet Minute No C2959 which had recommended to
Scrutiny Committee Chairman and the Mayor of the Council that those
meetings of Scrutiny Committees and Council scheduled for 6p.m.
commence instead at 7p.m. Councillor Mrs. Kelly Owen had
considered that delaying start times by 1 hour of Council and
Scrutiny Committee meetings would be a retrograde step against all
our accepted policies to promote equal opportunities in the “labour
market”. As a consequence, it put those individual with
family responsibilities at a distinct disadvantage. Of
particular concern to herself were those members of the family unit
who had a responsibility for “caring” who would be further burdened
by the extension of the working day. She also felt that the
above proposals would particularly disadvantage women, as they were
more likely to undertake the role of carer within the family unit.
In conclusion she urged Cabinet to reconsider the above
resolution.
Discussion ensued with regard to the likely
impact of the proposals, if introduced, would have. Various
views were expressed in relation to demands on elected members and
officers time, advantages/disadvantages of differing start times of
meetings, the appropriateness of meeting venues, and additional
costs to the Council that would likely to be incurred in the event
of officers working day being extended. The consensus of
opinion was that there was need for flexibility with timings of
committees and venues determined by the content of the agenda. It
was also accepted that the existing practice of Chairmen of
Committees who had discretion to vary timings of meetings, should
continue. The Chairman indicated that the recommendations contained
in the report to be considered later in the agenda in relation to
the Review of Scrutiny arrangements would be the most appropriate
avenue to progress such issues given that the recommendations
contained in that report touched upon matters expressed by the
Committee.
Having regard to the above and related issues
it was
RECOMMENDED - T H A T Cabinet be urged to
reconsider Resolution (2) of Cabinet Minute No. C2959.
Reason for decision
Having regard to Resolution (3) of Cabinet
Minute No. C2959 which acknowledged that the Mayor and Chairmen of
Committees had discretion to vary timings of Council /Committees
when deemed appropriate.
(N.B. Councillor N. Moore spoke on this matter
with the consent of the Committee).”