Issue - meetings

This report proposes to Council a number of changes to the constitution, primarily relating to where group leader consent is required and how this is obtained, and the nature of motions and amendments. The report incorporates changes agreed following the Policy and Resources Committee on 27 January 2025.

It is recommended that Council agrees the amendments to the Constitution as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

The Chair called on Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst to move the motion. Councillor Giles-Medhurst reminded members the motion had been discussed at Policy and Resources Committee, and the amendments recommended at that meeting had been circulated to group leaders to comment on prior to the meeting of Councillor. The motion was seconded by Councillor Sarah Nelmes.

In light of the time remaining in the meeting, the Chair asked Councillors to move the item to the vote and with 24 voting in favour, and 7 against, the motion was carried.

As the time had reached 10:30pm, the Chair closed the meeting. Remaining items of business would be dealt with in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 6(3)

This report proposes several amendments to the Council’s constitution including group leader consents, the nature of motions and amendments and in respect of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004

The report seeks the Policy and Resources Committee to recommend to Council the proposed constitutional amendments set out in Appendix 1 of the report

The Chair presented the report, confirming in his view the proposals included a number of practical changes to assist with the operation of the Council. He invited members to debate each proposal in turn.

Concern was raised with the proposals where group leader consent was required, as if one group had a majority on the Council, it would only require that group leader to agree in order for the proposal to proceed. The Committee agreed in principle to support that consent is required from a majority of group leaders representing the majority of members but requested that officers re-draft proposals to be circulated to the group leaders for comment before presentation to Council on 25 February 2025.

Turning to the proposal to not allow motions or amendments that included defamatory or unlawful wording, it was noted that there could be opportunity for officers to suggest to the proposer amendments to the wording which would make it acceptable. The Monitoring Officer confirmed that this is what would happen in practice and the Committee agreed for this to be included in the re-drafted proposals to be presented to Council.

The Committee considered the situation where a request may be received to postpone a meeting as one group could not attend, even though the meeting may still be quorate. It was agreed to have a discussion on this matter outside of the committee.

The Committee RESOLVED to:

Request that the Monitoring Officer and Interim Committee and Elections Manager amend Appendix 1 in accordance with the debate, and re-circulate this to Group Leaders for consideration prior to submission to Council for approval.