Agenda and minutes

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

Reserve Members may attend meetings:-

(i)                 to take the place of an ordinary Member for whom they are a reserve;

(ii)               where the ordinary Member will be absent for the whole of the meeting; and

(iii)             the meeting notes at the start of the meeting at the item ‘Reserves’ that the Reserve Member is or will be attending as a reserve;

(iv)              if a Reserve Member whose intention to attend has been noted arrives after the commencement of the meeting, then that Reserve Member can only act as a Member from the start of the next item of business on the agenda after his/her arrival.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Member:-

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)               all Members of the Committee, Sub Committee, Panel or Forum;

(b)               all other Members present in any part of the room or chamber.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no declarations of interests made by Members in relation to the business transacted at this meeting.

Due to illness, the Chairman stated that he would be unable to Chair the meeting and requested that an item for the election of a Vice?Chairman be included on the agenda as a matter of urgency.  He informed the Forum that he would remain at the meeting and take park in the discussion and decision making.

Upon Councillor Susan Hall being nominated and seconded, it was put to the vote and it was

RESOLVED:  To appoint Councillor Susan Hall as Vice-Chairman of the Harrow Business Consultative Panel for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2008/09.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 February 2008 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 February 2008 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

To receive questions (if any) from local residents or organisations under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rule 16 (Part 4E of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions were put, or petitions or deputations received at this meeting under the provisions of Advisory Panel and Consultative Forum Procedure Rules 16, 14 and 15 respectively.

Presentation by the Head of Revenues & Parking.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda at the meeting.

Report of the Corporate Director of Finance.

The Panel received a report from the Corporate Director of Place Shaping which outlined the consultation that had taken place with local businesses, business intermediaries and Councillors on 13 January 2009.  It was explained that, in order to comply with the requirements of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, the Council was required to consult with non-domestic ratepayers regarding proposals for expenditure for each financial year.  For auditing purposes, the Harrow Business Consultative Panel was required to formally note the outcome of the consultative event and refer the report to Cabinet.

The Chairman expressed disappointment at the confusion that had arisen as to the purpose of the reports on the agenda.  A Member suggested that, for future meetings, the purpose and function of the Panel be clearly stated on the agenda.

RESOLVED:  That the report be referred to Cabinet for noting.