10.1 Area committees
The Council may appoint area committees as it sees fit if it is satisfied that to do so will ensure improved service delivery in the context of best value and more efficient, transparent and accountable decision making.
The Council will consult relevant district, parish and town councils and the chairmen of relevant parish meetings when considering whether and how to establish area committees.
10.2 Form, composition and function
(a) Table of area committees.
The Council will appoint area committees with the membership and terms of reference set out in Part 3 of this Constitution.
(b) Delegations.
The Council and the Executive will include details of the delegations to area committees in Part 3 of this Constitution, including the functions delegated (showing which are the responsibility of the Executive and which are not) any budget devolved and any limitations on delegation.
10.3 Conflicts of interest — membership of area committees and Overview/ Scrutiny Committees
(a) Conflict of interest:
A member of an Overview/Scrutiny Committee which is scrutinising specific decisions or proposals of an area committee of which the member also serves may not speak or vote at the Overview/Scrutiny Committee meeting unless a dispensation to do so is given by the Standards Committee.
(b) General policy reviews:
A member of an Overview/Scrutiny Committee which is reviewing a policy relating either generally or specifically to the remit of an area committee on which that member also serves must declare his/her interest before the relevant agenda item is reached but need not withdraw.
10.4 Area committees — access to information
Area committees will comply with the Access to Information Rules in Part 4 of this Constitution.
Agendas for area committee meetings which include items concerning functions of the Executive and functions which are not the responsibility of the Executive will state clearly which items are which.
10.5 Executive members on area committees
A member of the Executive may serve on an area committee if otherwise eligible to do so as a councillor.
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