Issue - meetings

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