[Ed Hammond]

For those of you who are interested, there was a debate on CCfA in early February on the content of the exclusions regulations (SI 3261) which, as you know, was "called in".

The link is - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa...01.htm#end

There's an interesting discussion, with particular contributions from Julia Goldsworthy, the Lib Dems' spokesperson for communities and local government.

Sorry - should have posted this some time ago!!

[Adam Hadley]

Hi Ed

Just a quick question, can Councillors only create a call for action for an issue arising within their own ward boundaries?

Thanks, Adam

[Ed Hammond]

Good question Adam. Technically any councillor can raise a call for action on any issue as long as it relates to an individual ward, and there's nothing to say it needs to be the ward in which they're a member. In practice though, I suspect that this would be unlikely - members have enough on their plate with their own ward business without getting involved in other things.

[Ed Hammond]

I tell a lie - Section 21(10)b says that a local government matter is a matter which 'affects all or part of the electoral area for which the member is elected or any person who lives or works in that area'. Under the Representation of the People Act an "electoral area" is, in this context at least, a ward. So it does actually need to be the councillor's own ward.

[Michael Chard]

I have a quick query:

1) Can a District Councillor raise a CCfA at County Council level or do they need to approach a County Councillor to do this on their behalf?

Any opinions/answers will be greatly appreciated!

Mike

[Nick Beale]

Ehammond Wrote:I tell a lie - Section 21(10)b says that a local government matter is a matter which 'affects all or part of the electoral area for which the member is elected or any person who lives or works in that area'. Under the Representation of the People Act an "electoral area" is, in this context at least, a ward. So it does actually need to be the councillor's own ward.

All true, but how picky would you want to get in practice? If a member asks to put something on an agenda, why not oblige them? Is there anything to prevent a Council being more generous than the Act requires?

[Michael Chard]

Also, what are people's opinions on CCfA's being raised during purdah? Do you think they should be allowed as the resolution of the issue is important, or should they be delayed as they may be politically motivated?

[Keith Gordon]

Nick Beale Wrote:

Ehammond Wrote:I tell a lie - Section 21(10)b says that a local government matter is a matter which 'affects all or part of the electoral area for which the member is elected or any person who lives or works in that area'. Under the Representation of the People Act an "electoral area" is, in this context at least, a ward. So it does actually need to be the councillor's own ward.

All true, but how picky would you want to get in practice? If a member asks to put something on an agenda, why not oblige them? Is there anything to prevent a Council being more generous than the Act requires?

Our constitution already allows Members to put items forward for scrutiny. We would merely follow that line if teh issue was not one for the member's ward, respecting protocol for the ward member(s)

[Ed Hammond]

On the "ward member" issue - is it that likely that councillors will want to put forward a CCfA for a ward other than their own? I imagine there would be no quicker way to put other councillors' noses out of joint than to do this.

On purdah - this was raised at one of last week's launch events. All issues brought up through CCfA will probably be more political than most. Obviously all committee work stops in the runup to an election - it's logical that CCfA processes should also stop during this time, simply because there'll be nowhere for a CCfA to "go". I'd proceed with caution if you are thinking about having an extended purdah period just for CCfAs.

On districts/counties - this is very much up to you. The most pragmatic way forward would be for a CCfA to go to the district if it relates to services provided by that district. But you may want to develop joint arrangements as a more sensible approach.

I should rename this thread "CCfA clinic" or something!

[Michael Chard]

Maybe there could be a section called 'ASK ED' on the site?

Thanks for the answers, very useful.

Mike