Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve and sign the minutes of the special meetings held on 19 June 2025 and 24 June 2025 and the meeting held on 8 July 2025.

The minutes of the special meetings held on 19 June 2025 and 24 June 2025, were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 2025, were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as correct, subject to the following amendment:-

·         Minute No. 54 – “carbon neutral city’ should be replaced with ‘net neutral city” to read as: “carbon neutral city’ should be replaced with ‘net zero city”.

Councillors are reminded of the need to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests that relate to business on the agenda and which have not already been included in the register of interests, before any discussion takes place on the item. Unless the interest is sensitive, you must also disclose the nature of the interest. In accordance with the Council's Code of Conduct, you must then leave the room and must not participate in any further discussion of the item.  Councillors requiring clarification should seek the advice of the Monitoring Officer prior to the day of the meeting.

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made.

To receive questions relating to items on the Agenda from members of the public and responses thereto.

Details of questions should be notified to the Democratic Services Manager by 10.00am at least three working days prior to the meeting. Further information about speaking at a committee can be found here: Speaking at a Committee

No questions from members of the public were received.

To consider recommendations made to the Executive from Scrutiny Committees.

There were no matters referred from the Scrutiny Committees for this meeting.

To consider the report of the Strategic Director for Corporate Resources.

Agreed:

RESOLVED that the Council’s Corporate Risk Register be approved and that any necessary actions to help mitigate the risks for which it is responsible for be proposed to Council.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report

The Executive received the quarterly corporate risk register report which advised on the management progress of the Council’s risk management and presented the revised corporate risk register, which was linked to the Council’s Strategic Priorities.

Members were advised that:-

·         following the approval of the new corporate plan by Council in July 2025, a review of the corporate risk register would be undertaken before it was presented the Executive in December 2025; and

·         risk 4, which related to financial sustainability had increased due to the early stage of budgeting at the start of the new financial year and work was being undertaken to ensure there was a balanced budget.

The Deputy Leader & Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services, Community Safety and City Centre advised that Executive Members were actively addressing items on the risk register through their portfolio work and regular meetings with directors. A lot of background work was already being undertaken outside of meetings.

An opposition group leader in speaking to the item made the following points:-

·         there appeared to be a drafting error between the report and heat map and appendix 2 of the report, with differences in the scores and ratings;

·         the Net Zero risk seemed disproportionately low in the risk register, especially given projects like car parks were intended to mitigate such issues; and

·         expressed concern about the low score for culture and heritage risks, notably in regard to the city wall. The city wall had at vulnerabilities at 16 sites around the wall and was not convinced that it had been sufficiently looked into and sought a written response in relation to the matter.

The Leader noted that some of the issues raised were being dealt with.

The Strategic Director for Corporate Resources advised in regard to the risk scores that he would work with the team who produced the report to ensure that when a risk was amended, that it would be reflected in the report appendices.

The Leader moved the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Wright, voted upon, and CARRIED unanimously.

RESOLVED that the Council’s Corporate Risk Register be approved and that any

necessary actions to help mitigate the risks for which it is responsible for be

proposed to Council.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive.

Agreed:

RESOLVED that the allowances paid and expenses claimed by Members in 2024/25 be noted.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report

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The Executive received the report which presented the allowances paid to Elected Members in 2024/25, in which the Council had a statutory obligation to publish each financial year. Particular reference was made to the Member expenses had come in under budget for 2024/25

During the discussion, Executive Members raised the following points and questions:-

·         Councillors did not receive a salary and the report showed the allowances and expenses received for Members in undertaking their role as a Councillor, which had come in under budget;

·         There had been savings in recent years, following COVID, where Member training and development could be done online. In previous years, there had been higher costs due to travelling and in person sessions, though some specific events remained in person; and

·         despite the reduced costs from travel and accommodation, Members continued to attend and engage in professional development training opportunities throughout the year, to support them in their role as a Councillor.

The Leader requested an extra column be added to future reports to separate the total allowances received from expenses incurred to prevent public misinterpretation of total amounts as personal income.

The Strategic Director for Corporate Resources confirmed that the current report was the same format as the officer note in the statement of accounts but agreed to check the legal basis for adding a total column for allowances.

An opposition group leader in speaking to report noted that despite being under budget, Councillors worked extended hours and had to cover costs for food ahead of late meetings. The Council no longer provided food and drinks at meetings and suggested using the under-budget funds to address this matter.

The Leader acknowledged the concerns raised and advised that he would discuss the matter with the Portfolio Holder and Chief Executive, noting the need to balance public perception with the practicalities of performing duties properly, especially for Councillors with medical conditions during long meetings.

The Leader moved the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Wright, voted upon, and CARRIED unanimously.

RESOLVED that the allowances paid and expenses claimed by Members in 2024/25 be noted.