I was looking through the agenda for a Birmingham Council Ward meeting and came across the following, which is just ONE sentence of 122 words.
I'm sure it must make sense to the person who wrote it, but it doesn't to me!
"That the Chairman (or in his/her absence, the Vice-Chairman if appropriate)be and is hereby authorised to act until the next meeting of the Committee
except that, in respect of the exercise of the Council's Executive functions
delegated to it by the Cabinet, the appropriate Chief Officers are hereby
authorised to act in consultation with the Chairman and that the Chief Legal
Officer is authorised to affix the Corporate Seal to any document necessary to give effect to a decision of the said officers acting in pursuance of the power hereby delegated to them; further that a report of all action taken under this authority be submitted to the next meeting and that such report shall explain why this authority was used."
:o Don't let the campaign for plain english see that!! ::)
I think it says, If I can't be there, you can carry on making decisions without me but if it all goes pear shaped when I get back, you'd better have some d**n good excuses ;D
and when you've done all that, give the Corporate Seal some herrings
seemed pretty plain to me!!
at least it's easier to read than a first bus time table!! ;) ;) ;)
It just covers for when the meeting is on specific subject which needs specialist knowledge. An alternative chairman with expertise is best placed to take the meeting instead of the usual chairman or vice chairman that the meeting would still be legal and valid.
At the next meeting the reasons for this action has to explained.
Not unusual to allow for this where there could be complexities out of the chairman's field of knowledge.
For example a medical matter where a doctor would have a better understanding and could make sure that pertinent matters were raised and discussed.
It looks long winded at first but I though it was clear enough. Having served on and chaired a lot of committees, I know the problems when something comes up that no one knows anything about.