Agenda and draft minutes

Councillors Victoria Boyd-Power and Katie Whearty

To appoint a Vice-Chair for the duration of the 2021/22 municipal year.

The Chair requested nominations for the position of Vice-Chair of the Council Business Committee for the municipal year 2021-22.

It was proposed and seconded:

“That Councillor David Whitaker be appointed Vice-Chair of the Council Business Committee for the municipal year 2021-22”.

There being no further nominations, the Chair declared the proposal to be carried.

Resolved:

That Councillor David Whitaker be appointed Vice-Chair of the Council Business Committee for the municipal year 2021-22.

Minutes of meeting held on 25 March 2021 (previously circulated).

The minutes of 25th March 2021 were agreed as a true record and were signed by the Chair.

There were no items of urgent business.

To receive declarations by Councillors of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Councillors are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Councillors should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Councillors are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

Councillor De La Mare declared an interest in Item 6 as he is Chair of Budget and Performance Panel, and therefore would not participate in the vote.

Report of the Head of Democratic Services.

The Head of Democratic Services presented a report which requested the Committee to consider whether the Council should respond to an invitation from Lord True CBE, Minister of State at the Cabinet Office, writing on behalf of Chloe Smith, Minister of State for the Constitution and Devolution, to submit an application for a Lord Mayoralty.

It was reported that the invitation was part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations taking place in 2022 and the Queen would confer Lord Mayor status under royal prerogative on a city council.

Members were informed that, if the bid were successful, the Council would need to invest financially in the enhanced profile of the mayoralty if the application was successful. They were also reminded that the Council’s previous applications for a Lord Mayoralty had been unsuccessful.

The Committee discussed the advantages and disadvantages of submitting an application as well as financial implications, current resources and staffing. Councillor De La Mare queried the physical resources for the bid and suggested an amendment regarding limiting costs and spending, however, this was not seconded.

It was proposed by Councillor Darren Clifford and seconded by Councillor David Whitaker.

“That the Council should submit an application for Lord Mayoralty. It should recognise that such support must embrace a commitment for the Council to invest financially in the enhanced profile of the mayoralty.”

It was agreed by all, and the Chair declared the proposal to be carried.

Resolved:

That the Council should submit an application for Lord Mayoralty. It should recognise that such support must embrace a commitment for the Council to invest financially in the enhanced profile of the mayoralty.

Report of the Head of Democratic Services.

The Head of Democratic Services presented a report requesting Members to approve that the dates for Budget and Performance Panel meetings be changed from those approved by Council Business Committee on the 10th of December 2020.

It was proposed by Councillor Knight and seconded by Councillor Stubbins.

It was agreed by all, and the Chair declared the proposal to be carried.

Resolved:

That the dates for Budget and Performance Panel meetings be changed for the remainder of the 2021/22 municipal year to:

Wednesday, 6th October 2021

Thursday, 18th November 2021

Wednesday, 2nd February 2022

Thursday, 17th March 2022

Report of the Chief Executive.

The Head of Democratic Services presented a report of the Chief Executive, which informed Members of an urgent decision taken in consultation with the Chair of Council Business Committee to approve variations to dates, times and, in particular, venues for meetings due to the effects of the pandemic. The report was noted by Members.