65 New Bermondsey - Establishment of an independent inquiry PDF 244 KB
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Minutes:
The Mayor, Chief Executive, Executive Director for Resources and
Regeneration and the Head of Law all left the meeting during consideration of
this item.
Where a report is received less than 5 clear days before the date of the
meeting at which the matter is being considered, then under the Local
Government Act 1972 Section 100(b)(4) the Chair of the Committee can take
the matter as a matter of urgency if he is satisfied that there are special
circumstances requiring it to be treated as a matter of urgency. These special
circumstances were stated to be as follows:
This report was not available for the original dispatch because was drafted in
part in relation to continuing allegations appearing in the press. The report
was urgent and could not wait until the next meeting of Mayor & Cabinet and
Council because there was an urgent need for the Council to consider
whether to establish an Inquiry to inspire public confidence as soon as
possible.
In proposing the recommendations, the Chair read out the following
statement:
“I propose that the Council establish an independent Inquiry into matters
relating to a proposed Compulsory Purchase Order of land at New
Bermondsey/Surrey Canal. I am doing this so, that as a Council, we can
demonstrate our commitment to the highest standards of behaviour in public
life.
I'm proposing too that any Inquiry must be independent so that all parties and
members of the public can have confidence in the outcome.
A number of concerns have emerged and it is vital that the Council gets to the
root of these issues as quickly and thoroughly as possible - and establishes
whether anyone has acted improperly or inappropriately. I believe we can
only do this by establishing an Independent Inquiry.
If we accept the need for an Inquiry, we need to agree its scope and terms of
reference. I propose that they be as set out in paragraph 5 of the report. You
will see that as well addressing specific issues that have been identified as a
cause for concern, they would give the person conducting the Inquiry wide
discretion. That person may look into any matter he/she considers
appropriate for investigation.
We also have to agree on the person to be appointed to conduct the Inquiry.
It must be someone truly independent with sufficient skill and experience for
the Inquiry to be robust. The report proposes that we approach the Chair of
the Bar Council to nominate an independent and experienced QC.
We must also decide to whom the final report should be made I propose that
we establish a New Bermondsey/Surrey Canal Inquiry Committee to receive
the report and make recommendations to full Council based on its findings.
This committee will also receive progress reports and monitor the costs
incurred.
We need to be realistic about the cost of this process. That's why I am
proposing that £500,000 be agreed as the budget for the Inquiry.
In relation to timescales, obviously we would want the Inquiry ... view the full minutes text for item 65