Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer

Further to Minute No. 95 of the Cabinet meeting held on 1 December 2022, the Council considered the report of the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer which sought approval to the Programme of Meetings for the 2023/24 Municipal Year.

It was moved by Councillor Ian Maher, seconded by Councillor Fairclough and

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the Programme of Meetings for the Council, Member Briefing Sessions; Regulatory Committees; and Overview and Scrutiny Committees for 2023/24 as set out in Annexes B and C of the report be approved; and

(2)      the Programme of Meetings for the Cabinet, Public Engagement and Consultation Panel, Safer Sefton Together and the Health and Wellbeing Board for 2023/24 as set out in Annexes A and D of the report be noted.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Shaw, seconded by Councillor Lloyd-Johnson that the Motion be amended by the addition of the following text to the Motion:

(i)       add the following text at the end of Recommendation (1):

“Subject to (3) below;”

(ii)       add the following text at the end:

(3)      “Noting the current proposed imbalance across all scheduled meetings, with 59% being scheduled at Bootle Town Hall and 41% scheduled for Southport Town Hall, officers be requested to re-examine the distribution of meeting locations with a view to a more equitable balance. “

Following a debate on the amendment, the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer officiated a vote and the Mayor declared that the amendment was lost by 14 votes to 38 with 3 abstentions.

Following a debate on the Original Motion, it was:

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the Programme of Meetings for the Council, Member Briefing Sessions; Regulatory Committees; and Overview and Scrutiny Committees for 2023/24 as set out in Annexes B and C of the report be approved; and

(2)      the Programme of Meetings for the Cabinet, Public Engagement and Consultation Panel, Safer Sefton Together and the Health and Wellbeing Board for 2023/24 as set out in Annexes A and D of the report be noted.

Report of the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer which provided details of the proposed Programme of Meetings for the 2023/24 Municipal Year.

The Leader of the Council requested that programme of meetings be revised to facilitate the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Children’s Services and Safeguarding) being held every six weeks during the 2023/24 Municipal Year. 

Decision Made: That:

Reasons for the Decision:

To enable the business of the Council and its various Committees/bodies to be conducted during the 2023/24 Municipal Year.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

None.  The Council is required to produce a programme of meetings.