Decision details

Council RESOLVED that the following paragraph be added to the Executive Procedure Rules in Part 4 of the Constitution:

 “3.2 Speaking rights at Portfolio Holder Meetings

The following persons shall be entitled to speak once, to ask questions and/or make representations, on each item of business under consideration at a Portfolio Holder meeting:

• Monitors appointed by the Scrutiny and Overview Committee;
• Spokespersons appointed by the Major Opposition Group.
• Other Members of the Council who may be present.

No Member shall speak for longer than three minutes without the Portfolio Holder’s permission; this includes Members who are appointed to both the above positions.

The Portfolio Holder may, at his/her discretion:

• Allow Monitors and/or spokespersons and other Members to speak more than once;
• Allow other persons present at the meeting to speak.”