Decision details

To propose that the e-petitions function in the committee management system be enabled and run alongside the existing paper-based petitions scheme.

Having taken account of the comments made by Executive Members, and all the relevant information provided at the informal meeting of Executive Members on 25 January 2022, the Chief Executive Officer agreed to use his emergency delegated powers to recommend to Council on 16 February 2022 that the e-petitions function in the Modern Gov committee management system be enabled and run alongside the existing paper-based scheme.

Under his delegated decision making powers in the Officers’ Delegation Scheme in the Council’s Constitution, the Chief Executive Officer has power, in cases of emergency, to take any decision which could be taken by the Council, the Executive or a committee.

Following on from the expiry of the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 (“the 2020 Regulations”), which allowed for committee meetings to be held remotely, the County Council resolved at its meeting on 5 May 2021 (before the expiry of the Regulations) that, for the present time, in light of the continuing Covid-19 pandemic circumstances, remote live-broadcast committee meetings should continue as informal meetings of the committee Members, with any formal decisions required being taken by the Chief Executive Officer under his emergency decision making powers and after consultation with other Officers and Members as appropriate and after taking into account any views of the relevant Committee Members and all relevant information. This approach has been periodically reviewed since that time and will be further reviewed by full Council at its February 2022 meeting.

The Chief Executive Officer took all relevant information into account in exercising his emergency delegated powers in this matter, including considering the views of the Executive Members, and made the decision set out above for the reasons set out in the body of the report.

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