Issue - meetings

Council Standing Orders

Meeting: 26/07/2012 - Council (Item 26)

Amendments to Standing Orders (Constitution Review Working Group, 10 July 2012)

The Constitution Review Working Group

 

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL     That the following changes to the Council Standing Orders be agreed.

 

Annual Council Meeting

 

(a)  1.1(b) (vi) Receive any announcements from the Chairman, (add) Leader of the Council and / or Head of Paid Service

(b)  1.1(b) (viii) appoint up to five (delete four) substitute members per committee from each political group in a hierarchical list to all committees and sub-committees other than the standards committee (this reference to the Standards Committee will be deleted, subject to agreement of the recommendations in respect of the Civic Affairs Committee set out above)

(c)  1.1(b) (xii) receive the Leader of Major Opposition Group’s written Annual Statement on his/her Group’s priorities for action and objectives for the forthcoming municipal year

 

Selection of Councillors on Committees and Outside Bodies

 

(d)  1.2 (vi) (the council meeting will) appoint the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the committees established under Standing Order 1.2(a)(i) above.

 

Notice of Motions

 

(e)  12.1(a) (Notices of Motion)…must be delivered to the proper officer not later than seven (delete six) working days before the date of the meeting.

(f)   12.1(b) (Motions for the removal of the Leader from office etc)…must be delivered to the proper officer not later than seven (delete six) working days before the date of the meeting.

 

Point of Order, Point of information, Personal explanation

 

(g)  14.12 A member may raise a point of order at any time (add) by standing and stating ‘Point of Order’.

(h)  14.13 A member may raise a point of information at any time (add) by standing and stating ‘Point of Information’.

(i)    14.14 A member may make a personal explanation at any time (add) by standing and stating ‘Personal explanation’

Decision:

Councillor Ray Manning proposed and Councillor Mark Howell seconded the amendments to the Standing Orders, as recommended by the Constitution Review Working Group. A vote was taken and Council overwhelmingly

 

AGREED        That the following changes to the Council Standing Orders be agreed:

 

Annual Council Meeting

 

(a)  1.1(b) (vi) Receive any announcements from the Chairman, (add) Leader of the Council and / or Head of Paid Service

(b)  1.1(b) (viii) appoint up to five (delete four) substitute members per committee from each political group in a hierarchical list to all committees and sub-committees other than the standards committee (this reference to the Standards Committee will be deleted, subject to agreement of the recommendations in respect of the Civic Affairs Committee set out above)

(c)  1.1(b) (xii) receive the Leader of Major Opposition Group’s written Annual Statement on his/her Group’s priorities for action and objectives for the forthcoming municipal year

 

Selection of Councillors on Committees and Outside Bodies

 

(d)  1.2 (vi) (the council meeting will) appoint the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the committees established under Standing Order 1.2(a)(i) above.

 

Notice of Motions

 

(e)  12.1(a) (Notices of Motion)…must be delivered to the proper officer not later than seven (delete six) working days before the date of the meeting.

(f)    12.1(b) (Motions for the removal of the Leader from office etc)…must be delivered to the proper officer not later than seven (delete six) working days before the date of the meeting.

 

Point of Order, Point of information, Personal explanation

 

(g)  14.12 A member may raise a point of order at any time (add) by standing and stating ‘Point of Order’.

(h)  14.13 A member may raise a point of information at any time (add) by standing and stating ‘Point of Information’.

(i)    14.14 A member may make a personal explanation at any time (add) by standing and stating ‘Personal explanation’

Minutes:

Councillor Ray Manning proposed and Councillor Roger Hall seconded the amendments to the Standing Orders, as recommended by the Constitution Review Working Group.

 

Concerns were raised regarding the proposal for Council to appoint the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of its committees as it was likely to lead to political appointments approved by the ruling group.

 

A vote was taken and Council overwhelmingly

 

AGREED        the following changes to the Council Standing Orders:

 

Annual Council Meeting

 

(a)  1.1(b) (vi) Receive any announcements from the Chairman, (add) Leader of the Council and / or Head of Paid Service

(b)  1.1(b) (viii) appoint up to five (delete four) substitute members per committee from each political group in a hierarchical list to all committees and sub-committees other than the standards committee (this reference to the Standards Committee will be deleted, subject to agreement of the recommendations in respect of the Civic Affairs Committee set out above)

(c)  1.1(b) (xii) receive the Leader of Major Opposition Group’s written Annual Statement on his/her Group’s priorities for action and objectives for the forthcoming municipal year

 

Selection of Councillors on Committees and Outside Bodies

 

(d)  1.2 (vi) (the council meeting will) appoint the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the committees established under Standing Order 1.2(a)(i) above.

 

Notice of Motions

 

(e)  12.1(a) (Notices of Motion)…must be delivered to the proper officer not later than seven (delete six) working days before the date of the meeting.

(f)   12.1(b) (Motions for the removal of the Leader from office etc)…must be delivered to the proper officer not later than seven (delete six) working days before the date of the meeting.

 

Point of Order, Point of information, Personal explanation

 

(g)  14.12 A member may raise a point of order at any time (add) by standing and stating ‘Point of Order’.

(h)  14.13 A member may raise a point of information at any time (add) by standing and stating ‘Point of Information’.

(i)    14.14 A member may make a personal explanation at any time (add) by standing and stating ‘Personal explanation’


Meeting: 24/11/2011 - Council (Item 66)

From Cllr Douglas de Lacey to the Leader of Council

“At our last meeting, according to no less an authority than the Cambridge News, Cllr Clayton Hudson ‘stormed out’ after the vote not to suspend Standing Orders and permit tweeting, and ‘later posted a message on Twitter branding his fellow members “dinosaurs” and explaining he had “better things to be doing" with his time.’ Could the Leader please explain what things his members are expected to be doing which are better than considering the agenda items, listening to the points made in the debates, and voting on the basis of the evidence presented?”

Minutes:

Councillor Douglas de Lacey asked, “At our last meeting, according to no less an authority than the Cambridge News, Cllr Clayton Hudson ‘stormed out’ after the vote not to suspend Standing Orders and permit tweeting, and ‘later posted a message on Twitter branding his fellow members “dinosaurs” and explaining he had “better things to be doing" with his time.’ Could the Leader please explain what things his members are expected to be doing which are better than considering the agenda items, listening to the points made in the debates, and voting on the basis of the evidence presented?”

 

Councillor Simon Edwards, Deputy Leader, responded that it was up to members to decide whether they would make their primary focus being an advocate and representative for their ward, or take a strategic role in helping to shape the whole district in terms of the Corporate Plan.  He disputed as an exaggeration that Councillor Hudson had “stormed out”, as Councillor Hudson had left to attend a previously-scheduled meeting of the new Cambourne Fitness Centre, for which he had taken a lead role in delivering.  Councillor Edwards supported Councillor Hudson’s decision to focus on supporting the residents of the Bourn ward.

 

Councillor de Lacey, as his supplementary question, re-stated part of his original question, asking Councillor Edwards what members should be doing in the Chamber.  Councillor Edwards said that it was his personal view that members should consider the business of the Council while in meetings, but also that it was possible to multi-task effectively.  It was up to each individual member to decide how to conduct himself or herself, and up to the electorate to judge them.


Meeting: 24/11/2011 - Council (Item 61)

61 Review of Standing Orders (including Public Recording of Meetings) (Constitution Review Working Party, 10 November 2011) pdf icon PDF 41 KB

The Constitution Review Working Party RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that:

(a)               Standing Order 14.5, When a member may speak again, be amended to include: “A member who has spoken on a motion may not speak again whilst it is the subject of debate, except…(f) at the Chairman’s discretion, to raise a point of information;” with subsequent paragraphs to be renumbered accordingly; and

(b)               Standing Order 14.13, Point of Information, be added as follows: “A member may ask to raise a point of information at any time, but will be permitted to speak only at the Chairman’s discretion. A point of information may only be made where a member is aware that the Council has incorrect information before it on a material point. The member who raises the point of information must be able to cite evidence to support their statement. The point of information may be raised whilst another member is speaking but only if that member is willing to give way.  The ruling of the Chairman on the admissibility of a point of information will be final.” and subsequent Rules of Debate be renumbered accordingly. 

 

The Constitution Review Working Party asks Council TO NOTE that it does not recommend any further changes to Standing Orders to address the public recording of meetings or social media use during meetings, as it was felt that the existing provisions for recording were sufficient, and that that nothing in the Constitution specifically prohibited the use of social media by the press, public, councillors or officers.

Decision:

Council RESOLVED that:

(a)               Standing Order 14.5, When a member may speak again, be amended to include: “A member who has spoken on a motion may not speak again whilst it is the subject of debate, except…(f) at the Chairman’s discretion, to raise a point of information;” with subsequent paragraphs to be renumbered accordingly; and

(b)               Standing Order 14.13, Point of Information, be added as follows: “A member may ask to raise a point of information at any time, but will be permitted to speak only at the Chairman’s discretion. A point of information may only be made where a member is aware that the Council has incorrect information before it on a material point. The member who raises the point of information must be able to cite evidence to support their statement. The point of information may be raised whilst another member is speaking but only if that member is willing to give way.  The ruling of the Chairman on the admissibility of a point of information will be final.” and subsequent Rules of Debate be renumbered accordingly. 

 

Council NOTED that the Constitution Review Working Party did not recommend any further changes to Standing Orders to address the public recording of meetings or social media use during meetings, as it was felt by the Working Party that the existing provisions for recording were sufficient, and that that nothing in the Constitution specifically prohibited the use of social media by the press, public, councillors or officers. 

Minutes:

Councillor Simon Edwards proposed the amendments, which were seconded by Councillor Jim Stewart, and stated that he felt that the Constitution Review Working Party meeting had been very thorough in its review and that there had been general agreement on the recommendations.

 

With no members voting against, Council RESOLVED that:

(a)          Standing Order 14.5, When a member may speak again, be amended to include: “A member who has spoken on a motion may not speak again whilst it is the subject of debate, except…(f) at the Chairman’s discretion, to raise a point of information;” with subsequent paragraphs to be renumbered accordingly; and

(b)          Standing Order 14.13, Point of Information, be added as follows: “A member may ask to raise a point of information at any time, but will be permitted to speak only at the Chairman’s discretion. A point of information may only be made where a member is aware that the Council has incorrect information before it on a material point. The member who raises the point of information must be able to cite evidence to support their statement. The point of information may be raised whilst another member is speaking but only if that member is willing to give way.  The ruling of the Chairman on the admissibility of a point of information will be final.” and subsequent Rules of Debate be renumbered accordingly. 

 

Council NOTED that the Constitution Review Working Party did not recommend any further changes to Standing Orders to address the public recording of meetings or social media use during meetings, as it was felt by the Working Party that the existing provisions for recording were sufficient, and that that nothing in the Constitution specifically prohibited the use of social media by the press, public, councillors or officers.


Meeting: 27/05/2010 - Council (Item 12)

COUNCIL STANDING ORDERS 1.2(B) AND 4.1(B) (Recommendation from the Constitution Review Working Party, 27 April 2010)

Prior to the establishment of, and appointments to, Committees of the Council, Council is RECOMMENDED TO RESOLVE recommendations (1), (2) and (3) of the Constitution Review Working Party:

 

(1)        The Constitution Review Working Party unanimously RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that Standing Order 1.2(b) and (c) be amended to read as follows (new wording in bold italics):

1.2              Selection of Councillors on Committees and Outside Bodies

(b)       Executive Members shall be entitled to sit on the following committees as ex officio members:

·                      Employment Committee: Executive Member with responsibility for staffing matters;

·                      Licensing Committee, Licensing Committee (2003 Act), Licensing Committee (2005 Gambling Act): Executive Member with responsibility for licensing matters;

·                      Planning Committee: Executive Member with responsibility for development control matters.

(c)        Executive Members shall not be entitled to sit upon the following committees:

·                      Corporate Governance Committee;

·                      Electoral Arrangements Committee;

·                      Scrutiny and Overview Committee;

·                      any other scrutiny and overview committee.

 

(2)        The Working Party, with three in favour and one against, RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that Standing Order 4.1(b) be amended to read as follows:

(b)       Executive Members shall be allowed to substitute on all committees other than the Scrutiny and Overview Committee or any other scrutiny and overview committee.

 

(3)        The Working Party unanimously RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that each political group could nominate up to four named substitutes in a hierarchical list for appointment by Council at the Annual General Meeting and that Standing Orders 1(b) and 4.1(a) be amended as follows:

1(b)      The annual meeting will…

(viii)         appoint at least four substitutes per committee from each political group in a hierarchical list to all committees and sub-committees other than the Standards Committee;

[subsequent paragraphs to be renumbered accordingly]

 

4.1       Allocation

(a)        Substitutes will be allowed on committees and sub-committees, and Council may allocate seats for substitute members on outside or joint bodies, where those bodies allow.  The substitute must be a member of the same political group as the member for whom they are substituting.  Substitute members will be appointed in a hierarchical list by Council at its Annual Meeting. 

Decision:

Council RESOLVED that Council Standing Orders in Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution be amended as follows:

 

(1)        That Standing Order 1.2(b) and (c) be amended to read as follows (new wording in bold italics):

1.2              Selection of Councillors on Committees and Outside Bodies

(b)            Executive Members shall be entitled to sit on the following committees as ex officio members:

·                      Employment Committee: Executive Member with responsibility for staffing matters;

·                      Licensing Committee, Licensing Committee (2003 Act), Licensing Committee (2005 Gambling Act): Executive Member with responsibility for licensing matters;

·                      Planning Committee: Executive Member with responsibility for development control matters.

(c)            Executive Members shall not be entitled to sit upon the following committees:

·                      Corporate Governance Committee;

·                      Electoral Arrangements Committee;

·                      Scrutiny and Overview Committee;

·                      any other scrutiny and overview committee.

 

(2)        That Standing Order 4.1(b) be amended to read as follows:

(b)       Executive Members shall be allowed to substitute on all committees other than the Scrutiny and Overview Committee or any other scrutiny and overview committee.

 

(3)        That Standing Orders 1(b) and 4.1(a) be amended as follows:

1(b)            The annual meeting will…

(viii)         appoint up to four substitutes per committee from each political group in a hierarchical list to all committees and sub-committees other than the Standards Committee;

[subsequent paragraphs to be renumbered accordingly]

 

4.1            Allocation

(a)        Substitutes will be allowed on committees and sub-committees, and Council may allocate seats for substitute members on outside or joint bodies, where those bodies allow.  The substitute must be a member of the same political group as the member for whom they are substituting.  Substitute members will be appointed in a hierarchical list by Council at its Annual Meeting. 

Minutes:

All three recommendations from the Constitution Review Working Party were proposed by Councillor Charlie Nightingale and seconded by Councillor Ray Manning.  Any Executive Members serving as ex officio members on a committee would be appointed to seats from within their party’s allocation, and that ex officio members would have full voting rights.

 

A vote was taken and, with thirty votes in favour, twenty-two against and four abstentions, Council RESOLVED that Council Standing Order 1.2(b) in Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution be amended as follows (new wording in bold italics):

1.2              Selection of Councillors on Committees and Outside Bodies

(b)            Executive Members shall be entitled to sit on the following committees as ex officio members:

·                     Employment Committee: Executive Member with responsibility for staffing matters;

·                     Licensing Committee, Licensing Committee (2003 Act), Licensing Committee (2005 Gambling Act): Executive Member with responsibility for licensing matters;

·                     Planning Committee: Executive Member with responsibility for development control matters.

 

A vote was taken and, with forty-five votes in favour, eight against, one abstention, and two Members not voting, Council RESOLVED that Council Standing Order 1.2(c) in Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution be amended as follows:

(c)            Executive Members shall not be entitled to sit upon the following committees:

·                     Corporate Governance Committee;

·                     Electoral Arrangements Committee;

·                     Scrutiny and Overview Committee;

·                     any other scrutiny and overview committee.

 

In response to questions it was confirmed that the Constitution Review Working Party had considered the issue of Executive Members serving as substitute members of the Corporate Governance Committee, but had recommended to Council, with one voting against, that Executive Members could serve as substitutes on all bodies except the Scrutiny and Overview Committee or any other scrutiny and overview committees.  Members debated whether it was appropriate to have Executive Members serving as substitutes on the Corporate Governance Committee, which monitored areas of Executive responsibility, and the importance of ensuring that meetings could not be rendered inquorate if non-Executive substitutes could not be found when full committee Members were unable to attend.  Members were advised that the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) guidance stated that Executive Members could serve on audit committees, but not as Chairmen.  Substitute members on any Council bodies would have full voting rights.

 

A vote was taken and, with thirty votes in favour, twenty-five against and one Member not voting, Council RESOLVED that Council Standing Order 4.1(b) in Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution be amended as follows:

 (b)            Executive Members shall be allowed to substitute on all committees other than the Scrutiny and Overview Committee or any other scrutiny and overview committee.

 

Members noted that the proposal to have substitutes appointed by the full Council was a good management principle, and that all substitutes would be required to undertake the same training as full Committee members before being eligible to serve.

 

A vote was taken and, with fifty-one votes in favour, two against and two abstentions, Council RESOLVED that Council Standing Order 1(b) and 4.1(a) in Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12


Meeting: 17/07/2008 - Council (Item 33)

Changes to Council Standing Orders (Constitution Review Working Party, 1 July 2008)

(A) COUNCIL STANDING ORDERS 7 AND 16 – ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VOTING ON APPOINTMENTS

 

The Constitution Review Working Party RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that:

 

(1)   The following wording be added to Standing Order 7.1 (proposed additions marked in bold):

 

The person presiding at the meeting may exercise any power or duty of the Chairman, except where there is equality of votes on an appointment, in which case the provisions of Standing Order 16.7 below shall be followed.  Where these Standing Orders apply to committee or sub-committee meetings, references to the Chairman also include the Chairman of committees and sub-committees.”

 

(2)    The following wording be added to Standing Order 7.2:

 

The Chairman of Council shall preside over the election of Chairmen of Committees and Sub-Committees of the Council. Where the Chairman of Council is not present, the Chief Executive or an officer nominated by him or her may preside at the election of the Chairman but neither shall be entitled to vote. In the event of a tie, the provisions of Standing Order 16.7 below shall be followed.

(3)   The following wording be added to Council Standing Order 16.2:

If there are equal numbers of votes for and against, the Chairman will have a second or casting vote.  There will be no restriction on how the Chairman chooses to exercise a casting vote. This Standing Order shall not apply to situations in which there is equality of voting between two candidates on an appointment. In such cases, the provisions of Standing Order 16.7 below shall apply.”

 

(B) COUNCIL STANDING ORDER 14.6 – AMENDMENTS TO MOTIONS

 

The Constitution Review Working Party RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that the following wording be added to Standing Order 14.6:

 

“14.6(b – subsequent paragraphs re-numbered accordingly):

 

The Chairman may request the mover and seconder of the original Motion to indicate whether they are prepared to accept the amendment through its incorporation into their Motion. If they are willing to do so, and the mover of the amendment gives their consent, the original Motion will stand altered accordingly, the amendment shall be deemed withdrawn and debate proceed on the original Motion, as altered. If they are not willing to do so, consideration of the amendment shall proceed in accordance with the normal rules of debate.”

Decision:

 Council RESOLVED that:

 

(1)   The following wording be added to Standing Order 7.1 (proposed additions marked in bold):

 

The person presiding at the meeting may exercise any power or duty of the Chairman, except where there is equality of votes on an appointment, in which case the provisions of Standing Order 16.7 below shall be followed.  Where these Standing Orders apply to committee or sub-committee meetings, references to the Chairman also include the Chairman of committees and sub-committees.”

 

(2)   The following wording be added to Standing Order 7.2:

 

The Chairman of Council shall preside over the election of Chairmen of Committees and Sub-Committees of the Council. Where the Chairman of Council is not present, the Chief Executive or an officer nominated by him or her may preside at the election of the Chairman but shall not be entitled to vote. In the event of a tie, the provisions of Standing Order 16.7 below shall be followed.

(3)   The following wording be added to Council Standing Order 16.2:

If there are equal numbers of votes for and against, the Chairman will have a second or casting vote.  There will be no restriction on how the Chairman chooses to exercise a casting vote. This Standing Order shall not apply to situations in which there is equality of voting between two candidates on an appointment. In such cases, the provisions of Standing Order 16.7 below shall apply.”

 

(B) COUNCIL STANDING ORDER 14.6 – AMENDMENTS TO MOTIONS

 

Council RESOLVED that the following wording be added to Standing Order 14.6:

 

“14.6(b – subsequent paragraphs re-numbered accordingly):

 

The Chairman may request the mover and seconder of the original Motion to indicate whether they are prepared to accept the amendment through its incorporation into their Motion. If they are willing to do so, and the mover of the amendment gives consent, the original Motion will stand altered accordingly, the amendment shall be deemed withdrawn and debate proceed on the original Motion, as altered. If they are not willing to do so, consideration of the amendment shall proceed in accordance with the normal rules of debate.”

Minutes:

Councillor JH Stewart moved, Councillor RT Summerfield seconded and Council RESOLVED that:

 

(1)   The following wording be added to Standing Order 7.1 (proposed additions marked in bold):

 

The person presiding at the meeting may exercise any power or duty of the Chairman, except where there is equality of votes on an appointment, in which case the provisions of Standing Order 16.7 below shall be followed.  Where these Standing Orders apply to committee or sub-committee meetings, references to the Chairman also include the Chairman of committees and sub-committees.”

 

(2)   The following wording be added to Standing Order 7.2:

 

The Chairman of Council shall preside over the election of Chairmen of Committees and Sub-Committees of the Council. Where the Chairman of Council is not present, the Chief Executive or an officer nominated by him or her may preside at the election of the Chairman but shall not be entitled to vote. In the event of a tie, the provisions of Standing Order 16.7 below shall be followed.

(3)   The following wording be added to Council Standing Order 16.2:

If there are equal numbers of votes for and against, the Chairman will have a second or casting vote.  There will be no restriction on how the Chairman chooses to exercise a casting vote. This Standing Order shall not apply to situations in which there is equality of voting between two candidates on an appointment. In such cases, the provisions of Standing Order 16.7 below shall apply.”

 

(B) COUNCIL STANDING ORDER 14.6 – AMENDMENTS TO MOTIONS

 

Council RESOLVED that the following wording be added to Standing Order 14.6:

 

“14.6(b – subsequent paragraphs re-numbered accordingly):

 

The Chairman may request the mover and seconder of the original Motion to indicate whether they are prepared to accept the amendment through its incorporation into their Motion. If they are willing to do so, and the mover of the amendment gives consent, the original Motion will stand altered accordingly, the amendment shall be deemed withdrawn and debate proceed on the original Motion, as altered. If they are not willing to do so, consideration of the amendment shall proceed in accordance with the normal rules of debate.”


Meeting: 31/01/2008 - Council (Item 55)

55 Review of Standing Orders (Constitution Review Working Party, 21 January 2008) pdf icon PDF 99 KB

The Constitution Review Working Party RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that the changes to Council Standing Orders set out in the report be approved for incorporation into Part 4 of the Constitution.

 

The proposed amendments are available to view with the electronic version of this Agenda, available using the following link from the Council’s website, www.scambs.gov.uk:

 

http://scambs.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.asp?CId=410&MId=3512&Ver=4

 

 

  

Decision:

Council RESOLVED that the changes to Council Standing Orders set out in the report to the Constitution Review Working Party be approved for incorporation into Part 4 of the Constitution.

Minutes:

Councillor JH Stewart moved, Councillor RT Summerfield seconded and Council RESOLVED that the changes to Council Standing Orders set out in the report to the Constitution Review Working Party be approved for incorporation into Part 4 of the Constitution.


Meeting: 02/02/2007 - Council (Item 2)

2 CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION pdf icon PDF 235 KB

In accordance with Standing Order 3.1, five Members of the Council requested that the Chief Executive call an Extraordinary Meeting of Council to consider changes to the Constitution, including the procedure for the appointment of Cabinet Members. The Chief Executive has been asked to prepare a report setting out detailed matters for consideration. This report will be prepared and published in accordance with the Access to Information Procedure Rules.  

Decision:

Council RESOLVED

 

(1)               That Article 7.02 be amended as follows:

 

“The executive will consist of the executive Leader with a Cabinet of at least 2, but not more than 9, other Members appointed to the executive by the executive Leader. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Council may not be appointed to the Executive.”

 

(2)               That a new Article 7.03(ii) be added to the Constitution as follows:

 

“The Leader shall be responsible for aggregating and allocating service responsibilities as he/she thinks fit, grouping those responsibilities into portfolios and allocating them to an appropriate portfolio holder.  Any such allocations can be adjusted by the Leader as and when he/she thinks necessary.”

 

(3)               That the current Article 7.03(ii) be amended to a new Article 7.03(iii) as follows:

 

“The Leader shall appoint one member of the Cabinet to be the Deputy Leader.”

 

(4)               That the current Article 7.03(iii) be amended to a new Article 7.03(iv) as follows:

 

“The Leader shall hold office until:

 

(a)               he/she resigns from office; or

(b)               he/she is suspended from being a councillor under Part III of the Local  Government Act 2000 (although he/she may resume office at the end of that period of suspension); or

(c)               he/she is no longer a councillor; or

(d)               he/she is removed from office by resolution of the Council in accordance with the procedure set out in Section 12.1 (b) of Council Standing Orders.

(e)               the annual meeting of the Council following his/her appointment unless previously removed by resolution of the Council in accordance with the Rules.  He/she shall be eligible for re-election annually, unless removed from office under (d) above.  In these circumstances a period of at least 12 months from the date of the council resolution must have passed before he/she can be nominated for re-election.”

 

(5)               That Article 7.04 be amended as follows:

 

“Other Cabinet Members shall hold office until:

 

(a)               they resign from office; or

(b)               they are suspended from being councillors; or

(c)               they are no longer councillors; or

(d)               they are removed from office by the leader who must give written notice of any removal to the proper officer (the removal will take effect two working days after receipt of the notice by the proper officer); or.

(e)               they are removed from office following a vote of no confidence by Full Council following the procedure set out in Section 12.1 (b) of Council Standing Orders (as amended – see below); or

(f)                 they are removed from office en bloc by resolution of the Council in accordance with the Rules.

 

Cabinet members who are removed from office under (d) to (f) above will not be eligible for re-appointment to the Cabinet until the next Annual Meeting of Council.”

 

(6)               That the Principles of Proportionality be amended to remove the requirement for Cabinet to be politically balanced.

 

(7)               That the following paragraph be incorporated into the Constitution as Council Standing Order 2.2:

 

“The Council reserves the right to remove any councillor from a Council Committee or Sub-Committee if  ...  view the full decision text for item 2

Minutes:

Council considered a report setting out further proposals to revise the Constitution in order to achieve the following:

 

(a)               The delegation of authority to make appointments to Cabinet and to allocate executive responsibilities to the Leader of the Council.

(b)               To allow the Leader to appoint a minimum of two and a maximum of 9 Members to the Cabinet.

(c)               To allow the Leader to appoint the Deputy Leader.

(d)               To remove the requirement for Cabinet to be politically balanced.

(e)               To allow for the removal of the Leader, a member of the Cabinet or the entire Cabinet if two-thirds of the Council agree, following a vote of no confidence.

(f)                 To allow for the removal of a councillor from a Council Committee or Sub-Committee.

 

The Chief Executive drew Members’ attention to a number of changes to the report since its publication, apologising that these had become necessary due to the short timescale in which the report had been produced. The changes were as follows:

 

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATION

 

“That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive to make any further minor amendments to the Constitution arising from the recommendations, any amendments to be notified to the next meeting of the Constitution Review Working Party.”

 

(In accordance with paragraph 2).

 

Paragraph 8 Appointments to Cabinet

 

Re-word as follows:

 

“The executive will consist of the executive Leader together with a Cabinet of at least 2, but not more than 9, councillors APPOINTED TO THE EXECUTIVE BY THE EXECUTIVE LEADER. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Council may not be appointed to the Executive.”

 

Paragraph 1(b) Revise wording for clarification:

 

“To allow the Leader to appoint a minimum of two and a maximum of 9 Members to the Cabinet.”

 

Paragraph 5(iii) b

 

Reference should be to Part III of the Local Government Act 2000, not 111.

 

Paragraph 5(iii)e

 

“under” not “until” in line 4.

 

Paragraph 5(iv) Last paragraph

 

“Cabinet members who are removed from office under (d) to (f) above will not be eligible for re-appointment to the Cabinet until the next Annual Meeting of Council.”

 

Paragraph 11

 

“Written notice of motion signed by 5 councillors must be delivered to the proper officer not later than 7 working days before the date of the council meeting.”

 

Paragraph 13(i)

 

“Delete Standing Orders 1.1viii and 2v...”

 

Councillor MJ Mason raised objection to Council’s consideration of the proposed changes on the basis that the Access to Information Procedure Rules had not been complied with insofar as Members had not received five clear days notice of the report.

 

Councillor RMA Manning moved and Councillor DSK Spink MBE seconded a Motion that, in accordance with Standing Order 22.1, Council Standing Orders be suspended for the duration of the meeting.

 

The Motion, on being put, was declared carried with the necessary two thirds majority of Members present and voting.

 

Council RESOLVED that, in accordance with Standing Order 22.1, Council Standing Orders be suspended for the duration of the meeting.

 

Councillor MJ Mason moved and Councillor Mrs SJO Doggett seconded a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2


Meeting: 25/01/2007 - Council (Item 4)

4 PROPOSED CHANGES TO STANDING ORDERS (Constitution Review Working Party, 12 January 2007) pdf icon PDF 65 KB

The Constitution Review Working Party considered and supported a number of proposed changes to Council Standing Orders (Constitution Part 4, pages D1-D16). The proposed changes are set out in the attached document, marked in underlined text.

 

It is necessary for Council to consider changes to Standing Orders at this stage of the meeting in order to seek approval of the change which will allow Council to elect a Leader under Agenda item 5.

 

The Working Party RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that the revised Council Standing Orders be approved for incorporation into the Constitution.

Decision:

Council RESOLVED that the revised Standing Orders be approved as recommended by the Constitution Review Working Party and incorporated into the Constitution. 

Minutes:

Council considered a number of proposed changes to Council Standing Orders recommended by the Constitution Review Working Party.

 

Councillor JD Batchelor expressed concern that, under the proposals brought forward, there was no scope for the Liberal Democrat Group to put forward a candidate for the position of Leader of the Council.

 

Council RESOLVED that the revised Standing Orders be approved as recommended by the Constitution Review Working Party and incorporated into the Constitution. 


Meeting: 23/11/2006 - Council (Item 9)

9 RECORDING OF MEETINGS pdf icon PDF 113 KB

To consider the report of the Chief Executive. 

Decision:

RESOLVED that the previous decision that the recording of meetings be pursued be rescinded for the following reasons:

 

(a)               The requirement under the Freedom of Information Act that recordings would be disclosable for the periods during which they are held.

 

(b)               There is no available budget to meet installation costs; Officer and financial resources could be better directed elsewhere.

Minutes:

Council considered a report recommending that Members reconsider a previous decision to pursue the recording of Council meetings.

 

Council RESOLVED that the previous decision that the recording of meetings be pursued be rescinded for the following reasons:

 

(a)               The requirement under the Freedom of Information Act that recordings would be disclosable for the periods during which they are held.

 

(b)               There is no available budget to meet installation costs; Officer and financial resources could be better directed elsewhere.


Meeting: 13/09/2006 - Weekly Bulletin (Item 11d)

RECORDING OF MEETINGS

Decision

Reasons

To refer the issue back to full Council for further debate.

To assess the legal implications of the Freedom of Information Act and any consequent effects of information requests on officer time.

 


Meeting: 26/08/2004 - Council (Item 6)

6 RECORDING OF MEETINGS pdf icon PDF 88 KB

To consider whether to pursue further the recording of debates.  The report of the Finance and Resources Director is attached. 

Additional documents:

Decision:

AGREED

that sound recording, in the form of an MP3 player attached to the microphone system, at a cost of up to £1,000, be pursued.

Minutes:

The Chairman commended the report on the costs and implications of recording debates and responded to Councillor MJ Mason, who asked for referral to the Scrutiny and Overview Committee, that Council itself had asked for such a report earlier in the year.

 

In debate the following points were raised:

 

·                      Problems were being created which did not exist; most people were not interested in the detail

·                      The present system of minutes was perfectly satisfactory

·                      It would be necessary to speak clearly

·                      There would be staff implications

 

·                      As issues became more complex people did want to go back to the detail of what was said

·                      Parliament was recorded

·                      Aspects of what was said were not always included

·                      Advice was not always accurate – if a query arose later it would be possible to check what was said and whether the recollection was correct

·                      Recording was not expensive, was quick and easy and took little storage space

·                      The record would prevent misrepresentation

·                      If transcripts were requested only when needed there should not be a need for more staff

·                      Recording would give an opportunity to make a defence against accusations

·                      There were times when minutes were not enough, for example if a Member was called before the Standards Board

·                      Recording could assist the conduct of a meeting

·                      Most queries were about what was left out of minutes: short minutes were not a problem; the problem came when someone later challenged what was said

 

Web casting was indicated as a possible option but, although there was some support this was not overwhelming.  Comments made were:

 

·                      There should be a demonstration first

·                      Web casting could be advantageous as people would be aware how they came over, but this was a step further than current considerations

·                      It would be easier to follow than voice only recording

·                      Greater Broadband availability was needed before pursuing web casting

·                      Councillor SM Edwards asked if a live feed to the Internet using sound only had been considered.

 

Councillor Dr JA Heap asked which meetings would be recorded, to which the Chairman responded that this meeting was just trying to decide whether to record or not; details were for later debate.  Councillor Page suggested that recording should just be of meetings to which the public was invited.

 

On the proposal of Councillor R Page, seconded by Councillors Mrs SJO Doggett and Mrs SA Hatton, Council

 

AGREED

that sound recording, in the form of an MP3 player attached to the microphone system, at a cost of up to £1,000, be pursued.


Meeting: 29/04/2004 - Council (Item 10)

Recording of Meetings

Council at the last meeting asked for a report on the implications of recording meetings.  Technical alternatives are currently being investigated and, regretfully, it is not expected that a full report will be possible for this meeting.

Minutes:

The Chairman reported that it had not been possible to give the request at the last meeting for a report on the implications of recording meetings a high priority because of the impending move, but that consideration would be given at the next meeting. Disappointment was expressed by some Members, but the position accepted. 


Meeting: 26/02/2004 - Council (Item 13)

Recording of Meetings

In view of recent lapses of memory and misleading information, that all the meetings of this council and its various committees are recorded on mini-discs and saved for at least five years. Then for the sake of accuracy, and for the benefit of the electors and councillors, a complete and accurate record of the Council's business can be retained cheaply for use, if and when required.

Decision:

RESOLVED    that legal and other implications for officers and the financial and practical implications of recording meetings be investigated and that a report be brought to the 29th April 2004 meeting of Council.

Minutes:

Councillor Page argued that it was important to install a recording system to produce a record equivalent to Hansard for accuracy and accountability.  Although the Head of Legal Services had advised Members that concerns could be reported to him, Councillor Page felt that written concerns could lead to accusations of slander.  The motion was seconded by Councillor Mrs SA Hatton.

 

Points made in debate included:

 

·                      concern about the logistics of recording meetings as the record was only of use if transcribed, creating a huge amount of secretarial effort

·                      problems of identifying speakers

·                      with possible referrals to the Standards Committee, a full record was imperative

·                      recording should not be seen as a threat but as a useful aid

·                      recording was a natural extension of the recorded voting system and could be linked to individual card ID’s to identify the speaker.

·                      recording could stifle debate

·                      quotes could be used out of context

·                      recording would be expensive and unnecessary

·                      analogies with Parliament were not appropriate as officials did not speak: the effect on officers should be addressed before proceeding further

 

The Chief Executive explained that recording meetings would cause concern for officers if they were asked to commit themselves to a response without any recourse to their notes.  It could, in some cases, slow the meeting or lead to business being deferred.  He felt that the recording could assist Democratic Services, but the minutes would become longer.  Legal advice was that a record of decision was vital, but that it was unnecessary to record every word of a debate.  It was for members to amend the minutes if they believed something was missed.

 

Councillor Mrs GJ Smith, although not opposed to recording meetings, favoured the current format of minutes rather than transcripts.  Councillor Page explained that he was not asking for transcripts, but that MiniDisc recordings be kept in case queries arose.  He believed that officers should be accountable for their advice.

 

Councillor Mrs DSK Spink proposed an amendment to the motion, seconded by Councillor RF Collinson, which was put to a vote and CARRIED.

 

The amendment was put to a vote as a substantive motion and Council

 

RESOLVED    that legal and other implications for officers and the financial and practical implications of recording meetings be investigated and that a report be brought to the 29th April 2004 meeting of Council.