Issue - meetings

This report discusses the potential liability of the Chief Executive, in his capacities as Registration Officer and Returning Officer in relation to local, London, Parliamentary and European elections, for significant costs incurred in proceedings arising from his conduct of those posts and recommends appropriate action.

The report from the Interim Borough Solicitor drew members’ attention to the potential liability of the Chief Executive, in his capacities as Registration Officer and Returning Officer in relation to local, London, Parliamentary and European elections, for significant costs incurred in proceedings arising from his conduct of those posts and recommended appropriate action.

RESOLVED:-

(i)         that the authority provide an indemnity to cover the legal costs of the Chief Executive in his capacity as Registration Officer and Returning Officer in any proceedings arising from the conduct of these posts, to the extent that liability falls upon him either:

(a)       because the scope of the authority’s own insurance does not extend to cover such liability; or

(b)       to the extent that such liability falls within the deductible applying to the authority’s own insurance;

(ii)        that for this purpose the authority approve the Indemnity Resolution set out in Appendix 1 to the report from the Borough Solicitor;

(iii)       that the decision as to whether to insure any potential liability arising out of the Indemnity Resolution should rest with the Chief Finance Officer.

(In accordance with standing orders Councillor Dunwell asked that his abstention from the above decision be recorded).