Agenda and decisions

To receive any apologies for absence.

To approve the minutes from the previous meeting.

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’.

Recommendations from the Leader and the Executive.

Councillor Liz Leyshon proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Mandy Chilcott.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council RESOLVED to approve the Annual Treasury Year-End Report 2023/24 as being in compliance with the CIPFA Code of Practice for Treasury Management.

Recommendations from the Chief Execuitve.

Councillor Bill Revans proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Liz Leyshon.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council RESOLVED to:-

1)    Appoint and designate the statutory role of Section 151 Officer to Maria G. Christofi, the Interim Chief Financial Officer, with effect from 1 September 2024 until a permanent Section 151 postholder was appointed.

2)    Agree, subject to the agreement of the Council to (1) above, to amend the Constitution, Financial Regulations and the Officer Scheme of Delegation and empower the Interim Chief Financial Officer to undertake all of the statutory functions of a Section 151 Officer and take all decisions related to the role.

To receive and note the report from the five Scrutiny Committees for their work undertaken since the last meeting of Full Council.

To receive and note the report from the Executive, the Chief Executive and the Monitoring Officer of key decisions taken since the last meeting on 22 May 2024.

To receive and note the annual report.

To receive and note the annual report.

To receive and note the annual report.

Councillors are required to give notice of any such question in writing to the Monitoring Officer no later than 12noon providing three clear working days’ notice before the meeting, in order to be guaranteed a written response. For this meeting the deadline is 12noon on 11 July 2024.

Details of any questions received will be circulated to all councillors prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website.

Any question received after 12noon on 11 July 2024 and no later than 9am 17 July 2024 may only receive a verbal response at the meeting or the Chair may direct them to the appropriate committee or the next meeting of the Council.

Questions may be asked without notice and councillors are limited to one minute to put their question. Supplementary questions can only be asked with the consent of the Chair. The Chair will determine the number of questions asked without notice and the total time allocated for this item.

Councillors are reminded of the opportunities outside of the Council meeting to raise matters directly with the Leader of the Council, Executive Lead Members or Directors. In addition, Councillors can raise questions at meetings of the Executive.