Issue - meetings

To agree to reduce the quorum of the meetings of the National Adoption Service and Foster Wales National Joint Committee from 60% to 40%, provided that at least three regions are represented.

The report was submitted by Cllr Menna Trenholme.

DECISION

To agree to reduce the quorum of the meetings of the National Adoption Service and Foster Wales Joint Committee from 60% to 40%, provided that at least three regions are represented.

DISCUSSION

It was explained that 60% of Joint Committee members were required to be in attendance at present, in order to have a quorum to hold a meeting. It was stated that two meetings had been cancelled due to a lack of quorum since the establishment of the Joint Committee in 2024.

It was confirmed that this change would not affect the functions or role of the Joint Committee, and that it was only a practical change to try to prevent the cancellation of meetings due to a lack of quorum.

Observations arising from the discussion:

·       In response to a question as to why so few members were present at the meetings, it was explained that the answer was not entirely clear and that a definitive answer could not be provided. This was elaborated upon and it was proposed that holding meetings at a national level caused a barrier in trying to ensure attendance. Frustration was expressed by the Cabinet Member that these meetings were being cancelled.

·       It was noted that there was no certainty about the rationale behind the decision to note 40% as a new quorum, rather than 50% for example.

·       It was asked if there were any risks in terms of impact on decisions in reducing the quorum to less than half the membership. It was acknowledged that 40% was quite low, but attention was drawn to the condition that ensured that at least three regions out of five were represented.

The meeting commenced at 1:00pm and concluded at 3:35pm.