Issue - meetings

Report of the Executive Director – Corporate Services and Commercial

Further to Minute No. 2 of the meeting of the Audit and Governance Committee held on 4 September 2024, the Council considered the report of the Executive Director of Corporate Services and Commercial which provided a number of recommendations and options for the Council’s Constitution to be amended to reflect good practice and changes of arrangements within the Council. The Council also considered the additional information provided by the Executive Director – Corporate Services and Commercial within the supplementary agenda.

It was moved by Councillor Howard, seconded by Councillor Atkinson:

That the recommendations of the Audit and Governance Committee be approved, as follows:

That

(1)         the recommendations set out in paragraphs 2.4 (dates of Full Council meetings), 4.3 (motions), 5.5 (questions at Full Council) 6.2 (cabinet portfolios), 7.1 (petition scheme)  and 8.3 (Planning Committee) of the report be approved; and

(2)         the only business to be transacted at a budget meeting will be:

(a)                The setting of the Council Tax for the following year

(b)                The setting of the Council’s budget and related decisions determined by the Council’s S.151 Officer

(c)                 If it is the final meeting before the end of the financial year, any decisions that are required by law to be made by the Full Council, and

(d)         Any business agreed by the Mayor following advice from the Monitoring Officer.

An Amendment was moved by Councillor Pugh, seconded by Councillor Shaw that the Motion be revised as follows, in respect of recommendation (1):

That

(1)      the recommendations of the Audit and Governance Committee be approved, with the exception of the recommendations set out in paragraphs 4.3(Motions) and 5.5(Questions at Full Council) which be referred back to Audit and Governance Committee for further consideration.

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 15 votes to 40, with 0 abstentions.

On being put, the Original Motion was carried unanimously and it was:

RESOLVED:

That the recommendations of the Audit and Governance Committee be approved, as follows:

(1)            the recommendations set out in paragraphs 2.4 (dates of Full Council meetings), 4.3 (motions), 5.5 (questions at Full Council) 6.2 (cabinet portfolios), 7.1 (petition scheme)  and 8.3 (Planning Committee) of the report be approved; and

(2)         the only business to be transacted at a budget meeting will be:

(a)                The setting of the Council Tax for the following year

(b)                The setting of the Council’s budget and related decisions determined by the Council’s S.151 Officer

(c)                 If it is the final meeting before the end of the financial year, any decisions that are required by law to be made by the Full Council, and

(d)         Any business agreed by the Mayor following advice from the Monitoring Officer.

Report of the Executive Director – Corporate Services and Commercial

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director of Corporate Services and Commercial which provided a number of recommendations and options for the Council’s Constitution to be amended to reflect good practice and changes of arrangements within the Council.

The Committee discussed the following issues:

·       Dates of Full Council Meetings

·       Budget Council Agenda

·       Motions

·       Questions at Full Council

·       Petition Scheme

It was moved by Councillor Robinson (Chair) that:

From Paragraph 4.3 of the report, notice of an amendment must be put in writing and submitted to the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer no later than 12 noon on the Tuesday before the Thursday Full Council meeting.

Following a show of hands, the Chair declared the motion was carried by 7 votes to 3.

It was also moved by Councillor Robinson (Chair) that:

From Paragraph 5.5 of the report, the constitution be amended to provide for questions from Members to be received by 12 noon at least 5 clear days before Full Council and that there are not sub-questions.

Following a show of hands, the Chair declared the motion was carried by 9 votes to 1.

The Committee discussed Paragraph 3.2 of the report regarding the Budget Council Agenda and was agreeable that the Agenda should be restricted to Budget related items only. 

RESOLVED: That