Issue - meetings

The report of the Chief Executive is attached.

It was RESOLVED that

a)    the report of the Bingham Improvement Board be considered and it be noted that the Town Council resolved to accept the report at its meeting of 24 May 2022; and

b)    the report be presented to the July Council meeting, as it was Full Council that received the petition which led to the Board being set up.

The Leader, Councillor Robinson, presented the report of the Chief Executive concerning the report of the Bingham Improvement Board.

Councillor Robinson reminded Cabinet that, following approval by Full Council in September 2021, the Bingham Improvement Board had been established to explore a number of issues that had emerged over some years at Bingham Town Council.  The Board was asked to explore the issues and give recommendations for improvement to the Town Council. He added that the Board consisted of three independent persons and two Bingham Town Councillors and assured Cabinet that the final report, appended to the Cabinet report for consideration, had been compiled by the independent members of the Board.

Councillor Robinson highlighted that the report referred to the Nolan Principles of public life and added that this clearly showed that there had been substantial issues in Bingham Town Council. He said that the objectives of the Bingham Improvement Board had been met and stressed that it was now up to Bingham Town Council and its members to adapt and take forward the recommendations made in the Bingham Improvement Board report.  He said that Bingham Town Council had accepted the report at its full Council meeting in May and added that he would invite the Town Council to come to Cabinet in six months’ time to give an update on progress in implementing the recommendations.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Brennan commended the Board for creating such an accessible and clear report which drew out the key issues and set out practical ways for Bingham Town Council to move forward.  She said that the report specified that some of the issues related to culture and behaviour and clear actions to address these were set out, including the need for training for Councillors and paid staff.  She ended by saying that she was pleased that the Town Council had accepted the recommendations made.

It was RESOLVED that

a)               the report of the Bingham Improvement Board be considered, and it be noted that the Town Council resolved to accept the report at its meeting of 24 May 2022; and

b)               the report be presented to the July Council meeting, as it was Full Council that received the petition which led to the Board being set up.