Agenda and minutes

To appoint a Vice-Chair for the duration of the 2022/23 municipal year.

The Chair requested nominations for the position of Vice-Chair of the Council Business Committee for the municipal year 2022-23.

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

“That Councillor Lewis be appointed Vice-Chair of the Council Business Committee for the municipal year 2022/23”.

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

Resolved:

That Councillor Erica Lewis be appointed Vice-Chair of the Council Business Committee for the municipal year 2022/23.

Minutes of meeting held on 4^th November 2021 (previously circulated).

The minutes of the meeting of 4th November 2021 were signed by the Chair as a correct record.

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. 

No declarations of interest were made. 

Report of the Monitoring Officer.

The Monitoring Officer had submitted a report following a suggestion by Councillor Lewis that minutes of Committees be included in agendas of Council meetings.

The Chair invited Councillor Lewis to outline her proposal. This was to include minutes of all Committee meetings on the agendas of Council meetings, to keep all Councillors informed of the work of committees. Each Chair could speak to their minutes and take questions, without notice, from Councillors. This would be in addition to the current rights of Councillors, set out in Council Procedure Rule 12, to submit questions on notice to Committee Chairs and Cabinet Members.

The Head of Democratic Services responded to questions regarding the Constitution.

Members then debated Councillor Lewis’ proposal, set out in the recommendations of the report. During further discussions there was unanimous agreement to amend the proposition slightly to adopt the proposal on a trial based for three meetings of Council, starting in July 2022. Only public minutes would be included in the agenda pack and links would be provided where appropriate to any exempt minutes.

Resolved:

(1)   That minutes of Committees be included on agendas of ordinary meetings of Council on a three-meeting trial basis beginning in July 2022.

(2)   That only public minutes be included in the agenda pack with a link sent to Members for any exempt minutes, where appropriate.

(3)   That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to amend Part 3, Section 1 of the Council’s Constitution, procedure Rule 2, as set out in paragraph (4.2) of the report, to reflect the three meeting trial.