Agenda item

The report of the Monitoring Officer is attached.

The Portfolio Holder for Business & Growth, Councillor Abby Brennan, presented the report of the Monitoring Officer regarding Amendments to the Constitution.

Councillor Brennan, advised that it was a statutory duty to keep the Constitution up to date and review it annually, with the recommendations considered by the Governance Scrutiny Group and relevant officers, with the proposed amendments set out in red in the Appendix, together with changes from the Governance Scrutiny Group in blue. The amendments were designed to support the efficient running of Full Council meetings and the conduct of business and it was for each council to determine its own constitution to meet its own business needs.

Councillor Edyvean seconded the recommendation and reserved the right to speak.

Councillor Polenta felt that the Constitution should provide a framework through which Councillors could challenge policy, rigorously scrutinise decisions and ensure that all voices were heard. Councillor Polenta stated that any Councillor should have the right to call for a recorded vote without needing other Councillors support, that questions should be heard in public, rather than receiving a written response and that the scope of motions should not be restricted, as they should be used to send messages on broader economic and political matters that impacted residents.

Councillor Thomas felt there was a role for debate about important issues outside the direct responsibility of the Council, to allow Councillors to come to a joint view and agree to put pressure on other agencies regarding issues that concerned residents. She felt that more work was required on the proposed amendments and that it should be considered again by the Governance Scrutiny Group.

Councillor Birch expressed concern about limiting the scope of motions as he felt that this helped Councillors represent their constituents better, was educational and allowed democratic debate. He thought that the number of supporters for a recorded vote should be equivalent to membership of the smallest political party, as recorded votes played an important role in holding power to account and was a tool for opposition Councillors to use.

Councillor R Mallender echoed comments regarding the scope of motions and felt that discussing matters beyond the remit of the Council helped with sound decisions making.

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Edyvean confirmed that the Governance Scrutiny Group had considered each amendment, and whilst not everyone agreed with them, the recommendations had been agreed and he felt that the Council was here to serve and deliver for residents, rather than discussing matters outside the Council’s remit.

Councillor Brennan felt that questions to Council were often timely, with a written reply providing a prompter response. She referred to the wording of the amendment regarding the scope of motions and did not agree that it was restrictive, as it still allowed the Council to discuss and focus on matters that impacted or affected residents. Councillor Brennan also referred to comments that had previously been made by Councillors and members of the public asking why the Council was debating matters that it could do nothing about.

It was RESOLVED that Council adopt the proposed revisions to the Constitution.

Councillor Birch voted against the recommendation.