Agenda and decisions

To receive any apologies for absence.

To approve the minutes from the previous meetings on 14^th January (extraordinary), 10^th February, and 3^rd March (extraordinary).

To receive and note any declarations of interests in respect of any matters included on the agenda for consideration at this meeting.

(The other registrable interests of Councillors of Somerset Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes: City, Town & Parish Twin Hatters - Somerset Councillors 2023 )

The Chair to advise the Committee of any items on which members of the public have requested to speak and advise those members of the public present of the details of the Council’s public participation scheme.

For those members of the public who have submitted any questions or statements, please note, a three minute time limit applies to each speaker and you will be asked to speak before Councillors debate the issue.

We are now live webcasting most of our committee meetings and you are welcome to view and listen to the discussion. The link to each webcast will be available on the meeting webpage, please see details under ‘click here to join online meeting’.

To consider the Somerset Council Constitution review findings and the proposed amendments set out in the report and its appendices for recommendation to the Council’s Annual General Meeting on 21^st May 2025.

RESOLVED that the Constitution and Governance Committee considered the review findings and the proposed amendments set out in the report and its appendices and recommended them for adoption at the Council’s Annual Council Meeting on 21^st May 2025.

To consider and support the proposals for the Constitution Working Group – Planning Committees and its proposed membership, timescale and remit as set out in the report. 

RESOLVED that the Constitution and Governance Committee:

1.    Agreed to the formation of a Working Group to carry out a light touch review of the Planning Terms of Reference, consisting of five members from the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Planning Committees, three members from the Constitution and Governance Committee, three members from the non-committee membership, the Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning, and Assets, and the Lead Member for Transport and Waste Services.

2.    Agreed to remove Rights of Way from the Working Group remit and requested that it was reviewed by the Strategic Planning Committee.

To consider the initial consultation responses to the Community Governance Review for Huish Episcopi and Langport and approve the recommendations for the second stage of consultations.

RESOLVED that the Constitution and Governance committee considered the initial consultation responses to the Community Governance Review for Huish?Episcopi?and Langport and approved the recommendations for the second stage of consultations. 

To consider the Annual Report of the Constitution and Governance Committee.

RESOLVED that the Constitution and Governance Committee considered and noted the Annual Report for 2024/5.

To consider the work programme.

RESOLVED that the Constitution and Governance Committee considered and commented on the Work Programme.