Committees (2008 - 2009)

Representations and complaints by an individual in respect of the discharge or failure to discharge Social Services functions relating to them.

The Board has an advisory role to promote, in particular, the development of partnerships for the delivery of Adult Social Care Services and encourage fresh thinking and new approaches to service delivery which promote the ability to meet the outcomes and aspirations of the Government's White Paper "Our Health, Our Care, Our Say; A New Direction for Community Services".

This Panel determines all staff appeals against dismissal, demotion, the withholding of increments and decisions taken in respect of grievances. Panels of 3 Councillors are convened to hear appeals, as they arise. As the appeals are always of a confidential nature they are always held in private. You will not therefore find any papers for these appeal's sessions stored on this system.

The Committee is delegated by the Council to approve the Authority's Statement of Accounts. It has an advisory role with respect to considering the effectiveness of arrangements for risk management, the internal control environment and the internal audit strategy and plan. The Committee also receives the external audit plan, considers external audit reports and reviews summaries of internal audits.

The Cabinet, also known as the Executive, is the part of the Council which is responsible for most day-to-day decisions. The Cabinet is made up of the Leader and Deputy Leader, who are elected by the Council and 8 Councillors or "Portfolio Holders" who are also elected by the Council. When key decisions are to be discussed or made, these are published in the Cabinet's Forward Plan insofar as they can be anticipated. If these major decisions are to be discussed with Council Officers at a meeting of the Cabinet, this will generally be open for the public to attend, except where personal or confidential matters are being discussed. The Cabinet has to make decisions which are in line with the Council's overall policies and budget. If it wishes to make a decision which is outside the budget or policy framework, this must be referred to the full City Council to decide.

The Committee only meets when urgent matters need to be considered. It comprises the Leader, the Deputy Leader and the appropriate Portfolio Holder for the matter to be discussed.

The Committee consists of five Cabinet Members, including the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services and meets to consider school organisation proposals which may include establishing a new school, closing a school, expanding a school or making other significant changes to a school.

The role of the Children's Services Review Committee is to assist the Council in the development of its budget and policy framework by an in depth analysis of policy issues. It also reviews and scrutinises decisions made or actions taken and reviews the performance of Council Services in relation to its policy objectives, performance targets and specific service areas. Issues within its purview include schools, special education support, citizenship (children and young people), youth parliament and youth offending.

The Coalfield Area Committee provides local residents with a greater say in Council affairs. Its role is mainly a consultative one, considering reports of local concern and approving spending proposals within the limits of its delegated budget. The Committee is comprised of all Members of the Copthill, Hetton, Houghton and Shiney Row Wards.

The Corporate Parenting Board take lead oversight in exercising the City Council's responsibilities as Corporate Parent, and ensuring that all Council policies reflect this. The membership of the Board consists of 12 Members, including the Portfolio Holders for Adult Services, Children's Services, Housing and Public Health and Culture and Leisure. The Corporate Parenting Board meets on a quarterly basis, reporting to the Children's Trust Board.

The City Council is where all 75 Councillors meet together to discuss major issues. Its main role is to agree the annual budget and major policies of the Council. The Council is also responsible for agreeing the Council's Constitution, appointing the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council and appointing Councillors to the Cabinet and Council Committees. At Council meetings Councillors can ask the Leader and Members of his/her Executive, questions about their work in running the Council. Councillors can also debate issues which concern the City and once a year the Leader can hold a debate about the State of the City.

The role of the Culture and Leisure Review Committee is to assist the Council in the development of its budget and policy framework by an in depth analysis of policy issues. It also reviews and scrutinises decisions made or actions taken and reviews the performance of Council Services in relation to its policy objectives, performance targets and specific service areas. Issues within its purview include libraries, art development, museums, leisure, sports development, marketing and tourism and licensing policy.

Members' Monthly Digest is a briefing for City Councillors which records of the decisions taken by Chief Officers exercising their delegated powers under the Council's Constitution. The Digest does not include executive and key decisions made by Cabinet, please see the forward plan and the record of executive decisions.

The East Sunderland Area Committee provides local residents with a greater say in Council affairs. Its role is mainly a consultative one, considering reports of local concern and approving spending proposals within the limits of its delegated budget. The Committee is comprised of all Members of the Hendon, Millfield, Ryhope and St. Michael's Wards.

This Panel meet to consider the appointment of approved candidates as LEA Governors to primary and secondary schools in Sunderland.

To consider complaints of unreasonable behaviour under Section 409 of the Education Act 1996.

The role of the Environmental and Planning Review Committee is to assist the Council in the development of its budget and policy framework by an in depth analysis of policy issues. It also reviews and scrutinises decisions made or actions taken and reviews the performance of Council Services in relation to its policy objectives, performance targets and specific service areas. Issues within its purview include planning policy, transport, land use, coastal protection, the Port, emergency planning and highways services.

The forward plan covers a period of four months, beginning with the first day of any month. They are prepared on a monthly basis and subsequent plans cover a period beginning with the first day of the second month covered in the preceding plan. The forward plans contain matters which are likely to be the subject of a key decision to be taken by the executive, a committee of the executive, individual members of the executive, officers, area committees or under joint arrangements in the course of the discharge of an executive function during the period covered by the plan.

The role of the Health and Well-Being Review Committee is to assist the Council in the development of its budget and policy framework by an in depth analysis of policy issues. It also reviews and scrutinises decisions made or actions taken and reviews the performance of Council Services in relation to its policy objectives, performance targets and specific service areas. Issues within its purview include social care (adults), public health, citizenship (adults), welfare rights and scrutiny of Health Services.

To determine appeals under Section 202 of the Housing Act 1996 in respect of the Council's duties to homeless persons.

The Committee establishes regular methods of consultation and negotiation between the Local Authority and Trade Unions in order to prevent differences and to adjust them should they arise.

The Licensing Committee exercises the licensing function delegated to it under Section 7 of the Licensing Act 2003 and Section 154 of the Gambling Act 2005 to consider the grant, refusal, variation and issue of any counter notice and cancellation of licences, certificates, permits or registration in respect of premises licences, Club/Gaming Club Machine Permits, amusements with prizes, lotteries, prize bingo and applications for other permits under the Gaming Act.

The Licensing Sub-Committee exercises the licensing function delegated to it under Section 7 of the Licensing Act 2003 and Section 154 of the Gambling Act 2005 to consider the grant, refusal, variation and issue of any counter notice and cancellation of licences, certificates, permits or registration in respect of premises licences, Club/Gaming Club Machine Permits, amusements with prizes, lotteries, prize bingo and applications for other permits under the Gaming Act.

The North Sunderland Area Committee provides local residents with a greater say in Council affairs. Its role is mainly a consultative one, considering reports of local concern and approving spending proposals within the limits of its delegated budget. The Committee is comprised of all Members of the Castle, Fulwell, Southwick, St. Peter's and Redhill Wards.

The Council have a close relationship with the Company and provide administrative and treasury support and have Councillor representation on the Board of Directors. The Chief Executive (Acting) also acts as Company Secretary to the Company. The objects for which the Company is established are to preserve, operate and exhibit for the public benefit for educational and instructional purposes, and to stimulate and encourage interest in all kinds of railway transportation systems, structures, vehicles and equipment and engineering facilities and to foster and support the railway preservation and workshops with use for the preservation and fabrication and interpretation of artefacts of industrial archaeological interest.

The Children’s Trust was formed to promote co-operation and accountability for the outcomes of Children’s Services between the Authority and its partners. The Members of the Trust are drawn from the organisations across the City who provide services for children including the Strategic Health Authority, the Local Probation Board and the Learning and Skills Council. The aims of the Trust are to improve the well-being of children in Sunderland in respect of physical and mental health and emotional well-being, protection from harm and neglect, education, training and recreation, the contribution made by them to society and social and economic well-being.

The Council provide administrative and treasury support to assist the Trust provide special benefits of any kind not normally provided by the Local Authority for the pupils of Richard Avenue School as from time to time may be agreed between the Trustees and Governors of the school.

The role of Trustees is to consider applications for financial assistance from clubs, societies or individuals for sporting activities associated with the Centre, for the benefit of people under 18 years of age resident in the City of Sunderland, or in such adjoining areas as the Trustees in their discretion consider fit. The Trust comprises 4 councillors, including the Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure and Mr W. Craddock.

Parker Memorial Home – Managing Trustees comprises 6 councillors and Mr. N. Harper. The Trustees have an advisory role, in relation to the provision and maintenance of the Home, which is used as a hostel for the accommodation of residents who are destitute young persons under the age of 21 years, and the respective children of any females who are admitted to the home.

The Council have a close relationship with the Company and provide administrative and treasury support to the Raich Carter Sports Centre and have a number of Councillors appointed onto the Board of Directors. The companies' objects are to promote and advance the social, health, economic and educational well-being of residents in Hendon and the East End of Sunderland and adjoining areas without distinction to age, ability, race, ethnic origin, sex or creed.

The membership of the Trust comprises 6 councillors who meet to consider applications for grant funding from organisations in Sunderland for the benefit of the disabled. The Samuel Dobson Trust meets approximately once a year.

SACRE comprises representatives of the Council, Teachers, the Church of England, Free Churches and other faiths. Its role is to advise the Local Education Authority upon such matters connected with religious worship in county schools and the religious education to be given in accordance with an agreed syllabus as the Authority may refer to the Council or as the Council may see fit.

The Trust comprises 12 councillors and 5 co-opted members. It has an advisory role, particularly to promote, maintain, improve and advance education by the production of educational performances and encourage the arts. The Sunderland Empire Theatre Trust meets on a quarterly basis.

The Authority formulates policies and principal objectives, approves the annual statement of internal control, make, alter and revoke Standing Orders, determine the precept to be made, arrange the audit of accounts, prioritise capital schemes, determine Members' allowances and acquire land and buildings.

The Committee, where appropriate, shortlist and interview candidates and make appointments for the posts of Chief Fire Officer, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Assistant Chief Fire Officers and Chief Emergency Planning Officer.

The Committee meets to discharge the Emergency Planning functions of the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority ensuring the evaluation, validation, review and revision of all plans in respect of emergency planning functions.

The Committee determines all appeals by employees of the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority (other than Principal Officers) against dismissal.

The Committee deals with any matter of urgency which may arise between meetings of the Authority or Committee.

The Committee provides independent assurance of the adequacy of the risk management framework and the associated control environment, independent scrutiny of the Authority's financial and non-financial performance to the extent that it effects the Authority's exposure to risk and weakens the control environment, oversees the financial reporting process and promotes and maintains high standards of conduct by Members of the Authority.

The Committee meets to determine and approve the establishment and terms and conditions of all employees of the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority above SCP 57, subject to those matters delegated to the Chief Fire Officer, the Emergency Planning Officer and the Personnel Advisor to the Authority.

The Committee consider and review all apsects of the performance of the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority in the provision of its services, in particular to Best Value Performance Indicators, the Strategic Plan, Best Value Review Programme and the Integrated Risk Management Plan.

The Sub-Committee hears and determines appeals whereby the employee has a right of appeal and the decision leading to the appeal has been taken by the Human Resources Committee, including appeals by Principal Officers against decisions of the Human Resources Committee in disciplinary proceedings.

The Committee considers and makes recommendations to the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority on potential future changes in service provision, specific Policy areas, priorities for action within the Strategic Plan and Integrated Risk Management Plan, the register of corporate risks and proposals for major changes to service delivery.

The Sub-Committee considers and makes recommendations in relation to Member Development issues, such as the Elected Member Development Charter, Training Programme, Personal Development and Certificate for Elected Members.

The Committee considers and recommends action to be taken where statutory representations or objections have been received in respect of any Orders proposed by the Director of Development and Regeneration under the Highways Act 1980, the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 or the New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991.

The Sub-Committee decides on those planning applications made in the Hetton, Houghton and Washington Area of the City that have not been delegated to the Director of Development and Regeneration to determine.

The Sub-Committee decides on those planning applications made in the North Area of the City that have not been delegated to the Director of Development and Regeneration to determine.

The Sub-Committee decides on those planning applications made in the South Area of the City that have not been delegated to the Director of Development and Regeneration to determine.

The role of the Policy and Co-ordination Review Committee is to assist the Council in the development of its budget and policy framework by an in depth analysis of policy issues. It also reviews and scrutinises decisions made or actions taken and reviews the performance of Council Services in relation to its policy objectives, performance targets and specific service areas. Issues within its purview include strategic policy, inward investment, asset management, corporate governance and co-ordination of the other Review Committees.

The role of the Regeneration and Community Review Committee is to assist the Council in the development of its budget and policy framework by an in depth analysis of policy issues. It also reviews and scrutinises decisions made or actions taken and reviews the performance of Council Services in relation to its policy objectives, performance targets and specific service areas. Issues within its purview include strategic regeneration, area frameworks, community safety, housing strategy, trading standards, community cohesion and equalities.

This Committee exercises the funciton of designating streets for the purpose of street trading, the free distribution of printed matter and designating areas as alarm notification areas under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. The Committee exercises the functions of considering the grant refusal, amendment and cancellation of licences, certificates, permits or registration in respect of:- common land; hackney carriage and private hire vehicles and their operators and drivers; hypnotism performers; safety of sports grounds; sex establishments; street and house to house collections; street and market trading and town and village greens.

The South Sunderland Area Committee provides local residents with a greater say in Council affairs. Its role is mainly a consultative one, considering reports of local concern and approving spending proposals within the limits of its delegated budget. The Committee is comprised of all Members of the Silksworth, Doxford and St. Chad's Wards.

The Committee is concerned with promoting, maintaining and advising on high standards of conduct by Councillors, Co-opted Members and Church and parent governor representatives of the City Council and in relation to Hetton Town Council.

The Group meets to assist the City Council in the exercise of its powers under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 and the Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 in respect of the safety certification of the Sundeland Stadium of Light. The membership of the Group includes representatives from Sunderland City Council, Northumbria Police, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, North East Ambulance Service, Sunderland AFC, The Football Licensing Authority, St. John Ambulance and Sunderland AFC Supporters Association. It considers all matters concerned with crowd safety and provides specialist advice to the Council. In addition the Group provides assistance and guidance on related matters to Sunderland AFC and provides a forum in which the Council and other agencies may develop a corporate approach to spectator safety.

The Washington Area Committee provides local residents with a greater say in Council affairs. Its role is mainly a consultative one, considering reports of local concern and approving spending proposals within the limits of its delegated budget. The Committee is comprised of all Members of the Washington Central, East, North, South and West Wards.

The West Area Committee provides local residents with a greater say in Council affairs. Its role is mainly a consultative one, considering reports of local concern and approving spending proposals within the limits of its delegated budget. The Committee is comprised of all Members of the Sandhill, Barnes, Pallion and St. Anne's Wards.