The Authority is requested to consider the identification of:

a)  declarations of interest by individual Members in relation to any item of business on the Agenda

b)  any additional items of business which the Chair has determined should be considered as matters of urgency; and

c)  items of business which may require the exclusion of the press and public during consideration thereof because of the possibility of the disclosure of exempt information.

The Authority considered the identification of any declarations of interest, matters of urgency or items that would require the exclusion of the press and public due to the disclosure of exempt information.

Resolved that:

There were;

a)  no declarations of interest were made by individual Members in relation to any item of business on the Agenda

b)  no additional items of business were determined by the Chair to be considered as matters of urgency; and

c)  no items of business required the exclusion of the press and public during consideration thereof because of the possibility of the disclosure of exempt information.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Authority, held on 3^rd December 2013, are submitted for approval as a correct record and for signature by the Chair.

Members considered the Minutes of the previous meeting.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Authority, held on 3^rd December 2013, were approved as a correct record and signed accordingly by the Chair.

To note the Minutes of the last meeting of the Member Development Group held on 10^th January 2014; and consider approval of the recommendations contained within.

The Authority considered the Minutes of the Member Development Group meeting held on 10^th January 2014.

Resolved that:

The Minutes of the Member Development Group meeting held on 10^th January 2014 be noted.

To consider Report CFO/013/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive, concerning the continued membership of the Local Government Association.

Members considered report CFO/013/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive, relating to the continued membership of the Local Government Association.

Discussion took place regarding the value of the Authority’s affiliation with the Local Government Association.

Resolved that:

a)    Continued membership of the Local Government Association be approved;

b)    The 2.5% loyalty discount offered by the Local Government Association for Members who are not on notice, alongside the existing 2.5% prompt payment discount to Authorities who pay the annual subscription in full by 30^th June 2014 be noted, and;

c)    The offer of the discounted subscription, for 2014/15, of £10,460 plus VAT be accepted, and  the Democratic Services Manager be instructed to raise purchase order and make subscription payment, before 30^th June 2014.

To consider Report CFO/014/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive, concerning the significant changes to the revised Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and to set out proposals to implement the new scheme.

Members considered report CFO/014/14 of the Deputy Chief Executive, advising the Authority of significant changes to the revised Local Government Pension Scheme and proposals to implement the new scheme.

Resolved that:

a)   The changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) brought about by recent legislation be noted, and;

b)   The proposals to ensure the scheme is implemented by 1^st April 2014 be approved.

To consider Report CFO/015/14 of the Clerk to the Authority, concerning the benefits of Members providing feedback following their attendance at conference and events; and to endorse the continued use of the feedback form devised for such use.

Members considered report CFO/015/14 of the Clerk to the Authority, regarding the benefits of Members providing feedback following their attendance at conferences and events; and request to endorse the continued use of the feedback form devised for such use.

Resolved that:

a)    The value to the Authority of Members providing feedback following their attendance at conference and events be noted.

b)    Members be encouraged to complete and submit the feedback form to the Democratic Services Manager, as soon as possible following attendance at events to enable complete records to be captured, and the form to be made available for Members to complete ‘on line’, to speed up the process, and;

c)    The recommendation of the Member Development Group  to the submission of a report to the Authority on an annual basis, providing an overview of feedback received from Members throughout the preceding year (as contained within section 2 of the minutes at Item 3 on this Agenda), be approved.

To consider Report CFO/016/14 of the Clerk to the Authority, concerning the outcomes of the three workshop groups during the members post regulation scrutiny training which took place on 14^th January 2014, with regard to setting a forward work plan for Performance and Scrutiny Committee for the Municipal year 2014/15.

Members considered report CFO/015/14 of the Clerk to the Authority, detailing the outcomes of the three workshop groups during the Members post regulation scrutiny training held on 14^th January 2014, with regard to setting a forward work plan for Performance and Scrutiny Committee for the Municipal year 2014/15.

Resolved that:

a)    The contents of the report be noted;

b)    The topics identified within the feedback from the 3 working groups during Members Scrutiny Training be included in to a forward work plan for scrutiny during the municipal year of 2014/15;

c)    Members consider areas of reform in line with the Strategic Direction of the Authority, and  advise the Democratic Services Manager of any additional topics they wish to be included in the Authority’s Scrutiny forward work plan; and,

d)    The forward work plan be submitted to the next meeting of the Performance and Scrutiny Committee, to enable the prioritisation of the Plan to be considered for Scrutiny work to be conducted during the municipal year of 2014/15.