Extract from:

COMMISSION FOR LOCAL ADMINISTRATION IN ENGLAND

Minutes of the meeting of the Commission held at Millbank Tower, Millbank,

London SW1P 4QP on Tuesday 13 September at 10.30am

Present: Mr T Redmond (Chairman)

Mrs P A Thomas (Vice Chairman)

Mr J R White

In attendance: Mr N J Karney

Mr N H Jones

Mr M King

Mr P MacMahon

Ms K Dowse

Mr D G Nice (item 3)

Ms J Feeney (item 16)

Mr A L Creech

4. Transitional arrangements: York Office

CLA 1474 had been circulated. The Commission considered what arrangements to put in place to deal with complaints during the four week period between Patricia Thomas retiring from the Commission and Anne Seex taking up her appointment. Also, whether any transfers in local authorities between the offices would be appropriate in the light of previous positions held by Anne Seex.

The Commission AGREED that:

i Jerry White will oversee the York office during the interregnum between Patricia Thomas' retirement and Anne Seex taking up her appointment; he will arrange to visit the York office during this period to meet staff.

JRW

ii With effect from 1 October 2005, complaints about Manchester City Council and Peak National Park (a newly appointed York investigator is married to the National Park's Chief Executive) will be transferred to the Coventry office, and, to balance complaint numbers, complaints about local authorities within Warwickshire will be transferred to the York office, subject to Neville Jones confirming this with Coventry AOs.

NHJ

iii Complaints about Lancaster City Council will continue to be dealt with by the Coventry office.

iv Michael King and Neville Jones will liaise on the detailed implementation issues, consulting Jerry White and Patricia Thomas where appropriate eg on communications with York/Coventry office staff, informing the relevant local authorities.

MK;NHJ

Patricia Thomas added that it was likely that her Special Report on paying for residential and nursing care will not be finalised by the time she retires. The Commission noted that Michael King will complete work on the Special Report, in consultation with Tony Redmond.

MK;TR