Decision details

The Civic Affairs Committee considered a report setting out the implications of the Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014 that were enacted on 5 August 2014, which mainly related to the filming and reporting of public meetings and the publication of certain non-executive decisions made by officers under delegated powers.

The Council was required to make a decision on the threshold for officer decisions considered as ‘materially affecting the Council’s financial position’, details of which, in accordance with the new Regulations, would need to be published.  Levels 4 and above in the Council’s Financial Regulations (anything in excess of £50,000) had been put forward in the report as the recommended threshold as this was consistent with the amount that Cabinet was authorised to spend or commit the Council to within approved policy.  A table outlining the number and value of contracts for levels 4 and above for the last two years were set out in the report.  Members were content with the recommended threshold, but were keen to understand the number and value of contacts granted by officers below Level 4 of the Financial Regulations.  The Democratic Services Team Leader agreed to circulate this information to the Committee immediately after the meeting.

Subject to receiving information regarding the number and value of contracts granted by officers under Level 4, the Civic Affairs Committee RECOMMENDED to Council that the level for officer decisions considered as ‘materially affecting the Council’s financial position’ be set at Level 4 in the Council’s Financial Regulations and above, i.e. at present values, over £50,000.