The General Purposes Committee of Westminster Council met on Wednesday 5th November 2014 to discuss a review of polling districts and polling places, changes to the council's constitution and operating model, and the programme of meetings for the upcoming year. The meeting also covered regulations concerning the openness of local government bodies.

Polling District and Polling Place Review

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a review of polling districts and polling places across Westminster. The report presented the outcome of this review, which was mandated by the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 and required completion by January 2015. The review aimed to minimise disruption to voters while identifying new polling places where existing provision was inadequate. Key principles guiding the review included retaining the current network of polling places and districts where possible, ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities, and minimising disruption to schools.

Several specific changes to polling places were recommended. For instance, the polling place for the CHA polling district in Churchill Ward was proposed to move from Churchill Gardens Youth Club to Churchill Gardens Residents Hall due to better accessibility. In Maida Vale Ward, the Maida Centre was to be replaced by St George's School as it was undergoing redevelopment. The report also detailed proposed changes to polling district boundaries in Westbourne Ward to achieve a more even distribution of registered electors. The review also considered numerous suggestions for alternative polling places across various wards, with officers assessing their suitability based on factors such as accessibility, location, and capacity.

Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014

The committee was scheduled to discuss the Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014, which came into effect on 6th August 2014. These regulations grant the public the right to film, photograph, and audio-record proceedings at public local government meetings. The report outlined how these new provisions impacted the City Council's existing practices and detailed the actions taken by officers to ensure compliance. Recommendations included the revision of Standing Order 18 (Disorder) and the consideration of a £500,000 threshold for notifying decisions on awarding contracts or incurring expenditure.

Scheme of Delegations

A revised Scheme of Delegations was presented, reflecting a new operating model agreed by the Cabinet on 21st July 2014. This new model involved the abolition of the Strategic Executive Board and the creation of an Executive Management Team (EMT). The revised scheme aimed to reallocate functions and duties to these new posts, promoting a less bureaucratic approach. The report detailed the proposed delegations to Executive Directors and other senior officers, including specific sub-delegations to manage potential conflicts of interest, particularly within the Growth, Housing and Planning Directorate.

Constitutional Changes: Superannuation Committee Terms of Reference

The committee was scheduled to consider a report recommending a revised Terms of Reference and title for the Superannuation Committee. The proposed changes aimed to reflect the increasing volume of pension-related matters being considered and the establishment of a Tri-Borough Pensions team. It was recommended that the committee be renamed the Pension Fund Committee to more clearly indicate its function.

Programme of Meetings 2015-16

The programme of formal meetings for the 2015/16 municipal year was submitted for review and approval. The proposed schedule was drafted in accordance with principles endorsed in 2012, aiming for a consistent approach to committee scheduling, with a general intention to keep Thursday evenings free for community events. The programme included a set number of meetings for Policy and Scrutiny Committees, with flexibility for additional meetings if required. The committee was also asked to recommend dates for full Council meetings to the Council for approval.