NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
NOTICE OF URGENT ITEM
Access to Information Procedure Rule 15 – General Exception
Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 16 – Call in Exemption
Bid for External Funding for Child and Family Weight Management Service
To the Chairman of the Scrutiny of Health Committee
and
the Chairman of North Yorkshire County Council
The County 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 15:
15.1 If the publication of the intention to make a key decision is impracticable and a matter which is likely to be a key decision has not been included in the forward plan for the requisite period as set out in Rule 13.2, then subject to Rule 16 (special urgency), the decision may still be taken if:
(a) the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services) has informed the Chairman of a relevant overview and scrutiny committee, or if there is no such person, each member of that committee by notice in writing, of the matter about which the decision is to be made;
(b) the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services) has made copies of that notice available to the public at the offices of the Council and on the Council’s website; and
(c) at least five clear days have elapsed following the day on which the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services) complied with (a) and (b).
15.2 As soon as reasonably practicable after the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services) has complied with (a) to (c) above, s/he must make available at the Council’s offices a notice setting out the reasons why compliance with Rule 13.2 is impracticable and publish that notice on the Council’s website.
The County 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 22 April 2021, the Executive Member for Public Health, Prevention and Supported Housing, including Sustainability and Transformation Plans will consider a report seeking approval to apply for national funding to develop child and family weight management services.
The intention to make the key decision has been published on the Forward Plan but not for the full, requisite 28 clear day period.
This matter requires a decision by the Executive Member for Public Health, Prevention and Supported Housing, including Sustainability and Transformation Plans on 22 April 2021 and cannot reasonably be deferred, to enable the timely consideration and progress of this matter and to comply with project deadlines. The Council was notified by the Department of Health and Social Care on 24 March 2021. Application forms were subsequently published with a deadline of 23 April 2021. Furthermore, as a consequence of the urgency of the timescales, the decision will be required to be implemented immediately, without allowing time for any call in period. .
To the Chairman of the Scrutiny of Health Committee: In accordance with the General Exception provisions in Access to Information Procedure Rule 15, I am, therefore, informing you as the Chairman of the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee that it is intended that this matter be considered by the Executive Member for Public Health, Prevention and Supported Housing, including Sustainability and Transformation Plans on 22 April 2021, for the above reasons. .
To the Chairman of North Yorkshire County 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 22 April 2021, will you please confirm by email as soon as possible.
BARRY KHAN
Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services)
Dated: 9 April 2021
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 22 April 2021.
Signed County Councillor Jim Clark Date 10 April 2021
Chairman of North Yorkshire County Council