Agenda and minutes

To receive and record any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Turner.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting held on 11 September 2017.

The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 11 September 2017 were approved as a correct record.

To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting.

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting.

To receive and record any declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any matters the Chairman wishes to report since the last meeting of the Cabinet.

There were no matters the Chairman wished to report.

RECOMMENDED that the following Delegated Decisions and Minutes of Meetings be noted:

(1)          Minutes of the meeting of the Portchester Crematorium Meeting held on 18 September 2017; and

(2)          Standing Order 48 – Special Urgent Matters – Civica System Hosting Arrangements.

(Note: This decision was not subject to call-in and was communicated to the Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee on 28 September 2017.

The financial information included in this decision is not for publication under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Local Government Act 1972.  Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). The Cabinet will need to resolve to exclude the Press and Public if members wish to discuss the financial implications of the decision at the meeting).

RESOLVED that the following be noted:

(1)  Minutes of the meeting of the Portchester Crematorium Joint Committee held on 18 September 2017; and

(2)   Standing Order 48 – Special Urgent Matters – Civica System Hosting Arrangements.

The Cabinet to consider a new policy for Councillors receiving gifts and hospitality.

Councillor Bowerman presented a report to Cabinet setting out an updated policy on Councillors receiving Gifts and Hospitality.  The new policy reflected Government guidance  in relation to the 2010 Bribery Act and was set in the context of the commercial environment in which local authorities now operated.

The new policy was intended to give clarity to Councillors as to when gifts and/or hospitality may be accepted in their capacity as a member of the Council and where, in doing so, there would be a benefit to the Council.

All Councillors were to be reminded of the need to declare all gifts and hospitality in line the procedures set out in the report and to seek advice from the Monitoring Officer in any case of doubt.

RESOLVED that the updated Gifts and Hospitality Policy for Councillors be approved and adopted.

The Cabinet to consider a new policy and procedure for dealing with complaints and vexatious complaints.

Councillor Bowerman presented a report to Cabinet setting out an updated Complaints policy and incorporating vexatious complaints. The new policy reflected consultations with the Local Government Ombudsman and sought to reduce the amount of officer time spent on dealing with excessive and/or unreasonable complaints. 

The Monitoring Officer clarified that the policy would not apply to individual Freedom of Information requests that these would continue to be dealt with on a case by case basis.

RESOLVED that the updated Complaints and Vexatious Complaints policy and procedure be approved and adopted.