NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL

 

NOTICE OF URGENT ITEM AND CALL IN EXEMPTION

 

Access to Information Procedure Rule 16

Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 16

 

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Accommodation for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children and current looked after children – Knaresborough

 

To the Chair of the Children & Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee

and

the Chairman of North Yorkshire County Council

 

The Council’s Constitution provides that if a matter which is likely to be a key decision has not been included on the Council’s Forward Plan for the requisite period, the decision may still be taken if an urgency procedure is followed.

 

Under Access to Information Procedure Rule 16:

 

16.1 Where the date by which a decision must be made makes compliance with Rule 15 (general exception) impracticable, then the decision can only be made if the decision maker (if an individual) or the Chairman of the body making the decision, obtains the written agreement of the Chairman of a relevant overview and scrutiny committee that the making of the decision is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred. If there is no Chairman of a relevant overview and scrutiny committee, or if the Chairman of the relevant overview and scrutiny committee is unable to act, then the agreement of the Chairman of the Council, or in his/her absence the Vice-Chairman will suffice.

 

16.2 As soon as reasonably practicable after the decision maker has obtained agreement under Rule 16.1 above, s/he must make available at the Council’s offices a notice setting out the reasons why the meeting is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred and publish the notice on the Council’s website.

 

The Council’s Constitution further provides that where the call-in procedure would otherwise apply to an executive decision, it shall not apply where the decision being taken is urgent, if an urgency procedure is followed.

 

Under Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 16:

 

(h) The call-in procedure set out above shall not apply where the decision being taken by the Executive is urgent. A decision will be urgent if any delay likely to be caused by the call in process would seriously prejudice the Council’s or the public interest.  The Chairman of the council must agree both that the decision proposed is reasonable in all the circumstances and to it being treated as a matter of urgency. In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman’s consent shall be required. In the absence of both, the Head of Paid Service or his/her nominee’s consent shall be required. Decisions taken as a matter of urgency must be reported to the next available meeting of the Council, together with the reasons for urgency.

 

It is anticipated that on 8 November 2023 a report will be considered by the Executive Member for Finance & Resources, requesting that properties in Knaresborough be taken off the open market in order to offer immediate accommodation to meet the current needs of Children and Young Peoples Services (CYPS) for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC), or as an alternative move on accommodation for current looked after children, in order to free up accommodation already allocated in order to house UASC.

 

The intention to make this key decision has not been published on the Forward Plan for the requisite 28 clear day period.

 

This matter requires an urgent decision by the Executive Member for Finance & Resources on 8 November 2023, and cannot reasonably be deferred, to enable the timely consideration and progress of this matter as North Yorkshire Council is under a legal obligation to house Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children, and there are currently 8 children on the national transfer list and 12 in hotels. An urgent decision is necessary by North Yorkshire Council in order to fulfil its legal obligation and any delay in this may lead to judicial review. The Council therefore needs to progress this matter within a short timeframe. As a consequence of the urgency of the timescales, the matter cannot be subject to the call in period. Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 16 enables matters to be determined on an urgency basis and be exempt from call-in, where any delay likely to be caused by the call-in process would seriously prejudice the Council’s or the public interest.

 

To the Chair of the Children & Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

In accordance with the provisions in the Access to Information Procedure Rules, I am, therefore, informing you as the Chair of the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee, that it is intended that this matter be considered by Deputy Leader & Executive Member for Finance & Resources on 8 November 2023, and I am seeking your agreement that the meeting and the making of the decision is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred beyond this timeframe. If you agree that the meeting and the making of the decision is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred and that this item should be considered on 8 Nov 2023, will you please confirm by email as soon as possible.

 

To the Chairman of North Yorkshire Council:

In accordance with the provisions in Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 16(h), I am seeking your agreement that the decision proposed is reasonable in all the circumstances and to it being treated as a matter of urgency (where any delay likely to be caused by the call in process would seriously prejudice the Council’s or the public interest) and that the call-in procedure should therefore not apply to the decision. If you agree that the decision proposed is reasonable in all the circumstances and to it being treated as a matter of urgency and the call-in process not applying, and that this item should be considered on 8 November 2023, will you please confirm by email as soon as possible.

 

BARRY KHAN

Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services)

 

Dated: 6 November 2023

 

 

I agree, for the reasons stated in this notice, that the meeting and the making of this decision is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred and that this item should be considered on 8 November 2023.

 

Signed   Councillor Barbara Brodigan                                        Date  8 November 2023

Chair of the Children & Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee

 

 

I agree, for the reasons stated in this notice, that the decision proposed is reasonable in all the circumstances, to it being treated as a matter of urgency and exempt from call-in and that this item should be considered on 8 November 2023.

 

Signed   Councillor David Ireton                                                 Date  8 November 2023

Chairman of North Yorkshire Council</AI1>

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FIELD_TITLE

 

To [the Chairman of the [insert name] Overview and Scrutiny Committee/Chairman of the Authority/Vice-chairman of the Authority – delete as appropriate]

and

the [Chairman of North Yorkshire County Council/Head of Paid Service/Delegated Officer – delete as appropriate]

 

The Council’s Constitution provides that if a matter which is likely to be a key decision has not been included on the Council’s Forward Plan for the requisite period, the decision may still be taken if an urgency procedure is followed.

 

Under Access to Information Procedure Rule 16:

 

16.1 Where the date by which a decision must be made makes compliance with Rule 15 (general exception) impracticable, then the decision can only be made if the decision maker (if an individual) or the Chairman of the body making the decision, obtains the written agreement of the Chairman of a relevant overview and scrutiny committee that the making of the decision is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred. If there is no Chairman of a relevant overview and scrutiny committee, or if the Chairman of the relevant overview and scrutiny committee is unable to act, then the agreement of the Chairman of the Council, or in his/her absence the Vice-Chairman will suffice.

 

16.2 As soon as reasonably practicable after the decision maker has obtained agreement under Rule 16.1 above, s/he must make available at the Council’s offices a notice setting out the reasons why the meeting is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred and publish the notice on the Council’s website.

 

The Council’s Constitution further provides that where the call-in procedure would otherwise apply to an executive decision, it shall not apply where the decision being taken is urgent, if an urgency procedure is followed.

 

Under Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 16:

 

(h) The call-in procedure set out above shall not apply where the decision being taken by the Executive is urgent. A decision will be urgent if any delay likely to be caused by the call in process would seriously prejudice the Council’s or the public interest.  The Chairman of the council must agree both that the decision proposed is reasonable in all the circumstances and to it being treated as a matter of urgency. In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman’s consent shall be required. In the absence of both, the Head of Paid Service or his/her nominee’s consent shall be required. Decisions taken as a matter of urgency must be reported to the next available meeting of the Council, together with the reasons for urgency.

 

It is anticipated that on FIELD_DUE_DATE a report regarding FIELD_ISSUE_SUMMARY will be considered by the FIELD_DMTITLE.

 

The intention to make this key decision [has/has not – delete as appropriate] been published on the Forward Plan for the requisite 28 clear day period.

 

This matter requires an urgent decision by the FIELD_DMTITLE on FIELD_DUE_DATE, and cannot reasonably be deferred, to enable the timely consideration and progress of this matter and FIELD_USE_URGENCY_EXPLAIN and reasons for excluding the call in period]. The Council therefore needs to progress this matter within a short timeframe. As a consequence of the urgency of the timescales, the matter cannot be subject to the call in period. Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 16 enables matters to be determined on an urgency basis and be exempt from call-in, where any delay likely to be caused by the call-in process would seriously prejudice the Council’s or the public interest.

 

To the Chairman of the [insert name] Overview and Scrutiny Committee/Chairman of the Authority/Vice-chairman of the Authority – delete as appropriate]: in accordance with the provisions in the Access to Information Procedure Rules, I am, therefore, informing you as the [Chairman of the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee/Chairman of the Authority/Vice-chairman of the Authority – delete as appropriate], that it is intended that this matter be considered by FIELD_DMTITLE on FIELD_DUE_DATE and I am seeking your agreement that the meeting and the making of the decision is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred beyond this timeframe. If you agree that the meeting and the making of the decision is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred and that this item should be considered on FIELD_DUE_DATE, will you please confirm by email as soon as possible.

 

To the [Chairman of North Yorkshire Council/Head of Paid Service/Delegated Officer – delete as appropriate]: in accordance with the provisions in Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 16(h), I am seeking your agreement that the decision proposed is reasonable in all the circumstances and to it being treated as a matter of urgency (where any delay likely to be caused by the call in process would seriously prejudice the Council’s or the public interest) and that the call-in procedure should therefore not apply to the decision. If you agree that the decision proposed is reasonable in all the circumstances and to it being treated as a matter of urgency and the call-in process not applying, and that this item should be considered on FIELD_DUE_DATE, will you please confirm by email as soon as possible.

 

BARRY KHAN

Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services)

 

Dated: FIELD_ISSUE_FIRST_PUBLIC_PUB

 

I agree, for the reasons stated in this notice, that the meeting and the making of this decision is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred and that this item should be considered on FIELD_DUE_DATE.

 

Signed   [insert name of County Councillor]                                                                                                                                                                                         Date  FIELD_ISSUE_FIRST_PUBLIC_PUB

[Chairman of the [insert name] Overview and Scrutiny Committee/Chairman of the Authority/Vice-chairman of the Authority – delete as appropriate]

 

 

 

I agree, for the reasons stated in this notice, that the decision proposed is reasonable in all the circumstances, to it being treated as a matter of urgency and exempt from call-in and that this item should be considered on FIELD_DUE_DATE.

 

Signed   [insert name]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Date  FIELD_ISSUE_FIRST_PUBLIC_PUB

[Chairman of North Yorkshire Council/Head of Paid Service/Delegated Officer – delete as appropriate]

</LAYOUT_SECTION>

 

<TITLE_ONLY_LAYOUT_SECTION>

FIELD_TITLE

 

To [the Chairman of the [insert name] Overview and Scrutiny Committee/Chairman of the Authority/Vice-chairman of the Authority – delete as appropriate]

and

the [Chairman of North Yorkshire County Council/Head of Paid Service/Delegated Officer – delete as appropriate]

 

The Council’s Constitution provides that if a matter which is likely to be a key decision has not been included on the Council’s Forward Plan for the requisite period, the decision may still be taken if an urgency procedure is followed.

 

Under Access to Information Procedure Rule 16:

 

16.1 Where the date by which a decision must be made makes compliance with Rule 15 (general exception) impracticable, then the decision can only be made if the decision maker (if an individual) or the Chairman of the body making the decision, obtains the written agreement of the Chairman of a relevant overview and scrutiny committee that the making of the decision is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred. If there is no Chairman of a relevant overview and scrutiny committee, or if the Chairman of the relevant overview and scrutiny committee is unable to act, then the agreement of the Chairman of the Council, or in his/her absence the Vice-Chairman will suffice.

 

16.2 As soon as reasonably practicable after the decision maker has obtained agreement under Rule 16.1 above, s/he must make available at the Council’s offices a notice setting out the reasons why the meeting is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred and publish the notice on the Council’s website.

 

The Council’s Constitution further provides that where the call-in procedure would otherwise apply to an executive decision, it shall not apply where the decision being taken is urgent, if an urgency procedure is followed.

 

Under Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 16:

 

(h)  The call-in procedure set out above shall not apply where the decision being taken by the Executive is urgent. A decision will be urgent if any delay likely to be caused by the call in process would seriously prejudice the Council’s or the public interest.  The Chairman of the council must agree both that the decision proposed is reasonable in all the circumstances and to it being treated as a matter of urgency. In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman’s consent shall be required. In the absence of both, the Head of Paid Service or his/her nominee’s consent shall be required. Decisions taken as a matter of urgency must be reported to the next available meeting of the Council, together with the reasons for urgency.

 

It is anticipated that on FIELD_DUE_DATE a report regarding FIELD_ISSUE_SUMMARY will be considered by FIELD_DMTITLE.

 

The intention to make this key decision [has/has not – delete as appropriate] been published on the Forward Plan for the requisite 28 clear day period.

 

This matter requires an urgent decision by the FIELD_DMTITLE on FIELD_DUE_DATE, and cannot reasonably be deferred, to enable the timely consideration and progress of this matter and FIELD_USE_URGENCY_EXPLAINand reasons for excluding the call in period]. The Council therefore needs to progress this matter within a short timeframe. As a consequence of the urgency of the timescales, the matter cannot be subject to the call in period. Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 16 enables matters to be determined on an urgency basis and be exempt from call-in, where any delay likely to be caused by the call-in process would seriously prejudice the Council’s or the public interest.

 

To the Chairman of the [insert name] Overview and Scrutiny Committee/Chairman of the Authority/Vice-chairman of the Authority – delete as appropriate]: in accordance with the provisions in the Access to Information Procedure Rules, I am, therefore, informing you as the [Chairman of the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee/Chairman of the Authority/Vice-chairman of the Authority – delete as appropriate], that it is intended that this matter be considered by FIELD_DMTITLE on FIELD_DUE_DATE and I am seeking your agreement that the meeting and the making of the decision is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred beyond this timeframe. If you agree that the meeting and the making of the decision is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred and that this item should be considered on FIELD_DUE_DATE, will you please confirm by email as soon as possible.

 

To the [Chairman of North Yorkshire Council/Head of Paid Service/Delegated Officer – delete as appropriate]: in accordance with the provisions in Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 16(h), I am seeking your agreement that the decision proposed is reasonable in all the circumstances and to it being treated as a matter of urgency (where any delay likely to be caused by the call in process would seriously prejudice the Council’s or the public interest) and that the call-in procedure should therefore not apply to the decision. If you agree that the decision proposed is reasonable in all the circumstances and to it being treated as a matter of urgency and the call-in process not applying, and that this item should be considered on FIELD_DUE_DATE, will you please confirm by email as soon as possible.

 

BARRY KHAN

Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services)

 

Dated: FIELD_ISSUE_FIRST_PUBLIC_PUB

 

I agree, for the reasons stated in this notice, that the meeting and the making of this decision is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred and that this item should be considered on FIELD_DUE_DATE.

 

Signed   [insert name of County Councillor]                                                                                                                                                                                         Date  FIELD_ISSUE_FIRST_PUBLIC_PUB

[Chairman of the [insert name] Overview and Scrutiny Committee/Chairman of the Authority/Vice-chairman of the Authority – delete as appropriate]

 

 

 

I agree, for the reasons stated in this notice, that the decision proposed is reasonable in all the circumstances, to it being treated as a matter of urgency and exempt from call-in and that this item should be considered on FIELD_DUE_DATE.

 

Signed   [insert name]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Date  FIELD_ISSUE_FIRST_PUBLIC_PUB

[Chairman of North Yorkshire County Council/Head of Paid Service/Delegated Officer – delete as appropriate]

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