Issue - meetings
Changes to the Constitution
Meeting: 21/02/2019 - Council (Item 98)
98 Changes to the Constitution PDF 111 KB
To consider proposed changes to the Council’s Constitution as recommended by the Constitution Review Working Group.
RECOMMENDATION That Council agree the following changes to the Constitution as recommended by the Constitution Review Working Group:
1) that Section 4.2.9.7 Asking the Question at the Meeting and Section 5.4.31 Asking the Question at the meeting [Executive] be amended as set out in paragraph 1 of the report;
2) that Section 4.2.11 Motions on Notice be amended as set out in paragraph 2 of the report;
3 that Section 3.5.4.2 Debating a Petition at a Council Meeting be amended as set out in Appendix 1 to the report;
4) that Sections 6.3.29 Call In-6.3.36 Dispute be amended as set out in Appendix 2 to the report;
5) that Section 8.4 Licensing And Appeals Committee Procedure Rules be amended as set out in Appendix 3 to the report;
6) that Section 11 Officers be amended as set out in Appendix 4 to the report;
7) that Sections 1.6.4 Authentication of Documents and 13.3.3.2 Table – Acceptance of Tenders and Signing of Contracts be amended as set out in paragraph 7 and Appendix 5 to the report.
Additional documents:
- Appendix 1 Debating a petition at Council, item 98 PDF 68 KB
- Appendix 2 - Call in procedure, item 98 PDF 125 KB
- Appendix 3 Licensing and Appeals terms of reference, item 98 PDF 130 KB
- Appendix 4 Section 11 Officers, item 98 PDF 512 KB
- Appendix 5 Table 13.3.3.2, item 98 PDF 61 KB
Minutes:
The Council considered a report, set out on Agenda pages 213 to 270, relating to changes to the Constitution as recommended by the Constitution Review Working Group.
Gary Cowan expressed concern about the proposed changes to Section 3.5.4.2 “Debating a Petition at a Council meeting” in relation to the 10 day deadline for the submission of a Motion linked to a petition.
Keith Baker stated that the proposed changes to Section 3.5.4.2 would increase transparency and openness. Councillor Baker felt that petitioners would be able to work with a nominated Member to amend the submitted Motion to reflect the Council debate.
Lindsay Ferris commented that the 10 day deadline could be given further consideration by the Constitution Review Working Group but the proposed changes relating to petitions should be implemented. If the changes did not make the process more effective, further amendments could be considered as necessary at a later date.
Andy Croy expressed concern that petitioners were generally not aware of the Council’s rules and procedures and it was important to ensure that they were given control over the Motion to be considered by Council.
Carl Doran expressed concern that the proposals relating to Section 6.3.29 “Call-In” could introduce a lengthy delay in the process for holding the Executive to account.
Chris Bowring stated that the Council’s Constitution was evolving over time. If any of the proposed changes did not achieve their stated aims, the issue/s could be given further consideration by the Constitution Review Working Group before discussion and agreement at full Council.
It was proposed by Julian McGhee-Sumner and seconded by Chris Bowring that the recommendations set out in the report be approved.
Prior to a vote being held, six Members, in accordance with Rule of Procedure 4.2.15.5, requested that a recorded vote be taken on the proposal.
The voting was as follows:
FOR |
AGAINST |
ABSTAINED |
Keith Baker |
Gary Cowan |
Rachel Burgess |
Parry Batth |
|
Andy Croy |
Laura Blumenthal |
|
Carl Doran |
Chris Bowring |
|
John Kaiser |
Jenny Cheng |
|
|
UllaKarin Clark |
|
|
Richard Dolinski |
|
|
Lindsay Ferris |
|
|
Guy Grandison |
|
|
Charlotte Haitham Taylor |
|
|
John Halsall |
|
|
David Hare |
|
|
Pauline Helliar-Symons |
|
|
Tim Holton |
|
|
Philip Houldsworth |
|
|
John Jarvis |
|
|
Clive Jones |
|
|
Norman Jorgensen |
|
|
Pauline Jorgensen |
|
|
Sarah Kerr |
|
|
Dianne King |
|
|
Abdul Loyes |
|
|
Julian McGhee-Sumner |
|
|
Ken Miall |
|
|
Philip Mirfin |
|
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Stuart Munro |
|
|
Anthony Pollock |
|
|
Malcolm Richards |
|
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Angus Ross |
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Daniel Sargeant |
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Imogen Shepherd-Dubey |
|
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Rachelle Shepherd-Dubey |
|
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Chris Smith |
|
|
Simon Weeks |
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Shahid Younis |
|
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Upon being put to the vote it was:
RESOLVED: That the following changes to the Constitution, as recommended by the Constitution Review Working Group, be approved:
1) that Section 4.2.9.7 “Asking the question at the meeting (Council) and Section 5.4.31 “Asking the question at the meeting (Executive) be amended as set out in Paragraph 1 of the report;
2) that Section 4.2.11 “Motions on Notice” be amended as set out in Paragraph 2 of the report;
3) that Section 3.5.4.2 “Debating a Petition at a Council meeting” be amended as set out in Appendix 1 to the report;
4) that Sections 6.3.29 “Call-In” and 6.3.36 “Dispute” be amended as ... view the full minutes text for item 98