Issue - meetings

To note that the Leader of the Council was appointed by the Council on 17 May 2011 for a four year term. The Council is asked to consider whether the Elections held on 3 May 2012 impact on this position.

It was moved by Councillor Webster, seconded by Councillor Moncur and

RESOLVED:

That it be noted that Councillor P. Dowd was appointed as the Leader of the Council by the Council on 17 May 2011 for a period of four years or until such time as his term of office expires.

The Council will be requested to note that in accordance with the Political Conventions of the Council signed by the three Political Group Leaders on 29March 2010, that Councillor Robertson has submitted a notice to the Chief Executive indicating that he wishes to resign from the office of Leader of the Council with effect from the Adjourned Annual Council meeting on Tuesday 17^th May 2011.  The reason for his resignation is that he no longer represents the largest political group on the Council, and the Political Conventions provide that the Leader of the Council shall be drawn from the largest political group.  The notice was served in accordance with Article 7.03 of the Council’s Constitution.

The effect of his resignation is that all serving Cabinet Members also cease to hold office with effect from the date a new Leader is appointed to office, as per Article 7.06 of the Council’s Constitution, and he/she appoints a new Cabinet.

A nomination will be submitted at the Council meeting that Councillor P. Dowd (as the Leader of the largest political group on the Council) be appointed as the Leader of the Council.

The Mayor reported that in accordance with the Political Conventions Document signed by the three Political Group Leaders on 29 March 2010, Councillor Robertson had given notice to the Chief Executive under Article 7.03 of the Council’s Constitution that he wished to resign from the office of Leader of the Council with effect from this Adjourned Annual Council meeting.  The reason for his resignation was that he no longer represented the largest political group on the Council, and the Political Conventions provide that the Leader of the Council shall be drawn from the largest political group.

The effect of his resignation as per Article 7.06 of the Council’s Constitution was that all serving Cabinet Members also cease to hold office with effect from the date a new Leader is appointed to office and he/she appoints a new Cabinet.

At this point, Councillors Parry and P. Dowd expressed thanks to Councillor Robertson for the able manner in which he had undertaken the duties of Leader of the Council over a number of years.

It was then moved by Councillor Moncur, seconded by Councillor Maher and

RESOLVED:

That Councillor P. Dowd as the Leader of the Labour Group (the largest political group on the Council) be appointed as the Leader of the Council for a period of four years or until such time as his term of office expires.

To appoint the Leader of the Council for a four year term of office or until such time as his/her term of office expires.

It was moved by Councillor Blackburn, seconded by Councillor Brodie-Browne and

RESOLVED:  

That Councillor Robertson as the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group (the largest political group on the Council) be appointed as the Leader of the Council for a period of four years or until such time as his term of office expires.