Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Monitoring Officer

Council considered a report of the Monitoring Officer seeking approval to establish a working group to assist him with the review of the Council’s Constitution, and to consider terms of reference for such a group.

The Monitoring Officer responded to questions about the report.

Councillor Blamire proposed that:

“Recommendations (1) and (2), as set out in the report, be approved.”

Councillor Clifford seconded the proposal, which was clearly carried when put to the vote.

The Group administrators then nominated Councillors to serve on the Constitutional Working Group. The Members nominated were Councillors Burns, Blamire, Hartley and Whitehead for the Labour group; Councillors Edwards, and Mace for the Conservative Group and Councillor Caroline Jackson for the Green group.

A vote was taken and the above nominations were all appointed to the Working Group.

The Mayor called for nominations for Chairman of the Working Group. Councillor Caroline Jackson was nominated by Councillor Phillippa Williamson, seconded by Councillor Brookes. Councillor Clifford, seconded by Councillor Brown, nominated Councillor Whitehead.

There were 23 votes for Councillor Caroline Jackson and 27 votes for Councillor Whitehead, whereupon the Mayor declared Councillor Whitehead appointed Chairman of the Constitutional Working Group.

Resolved:

(1)     That a Constitutional Working Group be established, comprising seven elected members proportionate to the Council’s political balance, being four Labour, two Conservative and one Green Group members.

(2)     That the terms of reference for the Working Group, as set out in Appendix A of the report, and appended to the minutes, be approved.

(3)     That Councillors Burns, Blamire, Edwards, Hartley, Mace, Whitehead and Caroline Jackson be appointed to the Working Group.

(4)     That Councillor Anne Whitehead be appointed Chairman of the Constitutional Working Group.