Agenda item

To consider a report containing revisions regarding petitions presented to Council, speaking by Members other than [Planning Committee] members, Ethics and Corporate Governance and the Procurement and Contract Rules and Procedures.

RECOMMENDATION:  That Council agree the following changes to the Constitution as recommended by the Constitution Review Working Group:

1)         Chapter 4 The Council Meeting

that Rule 4.2.19.2 be amended as follows:

4.2.19.2 Petitions presented to Council

‘….Members will be entitled to speak for no more than three minutes in support of a petition.  A member of the public may present a petition at any meeting of the Council and will be entitled to speak for no more than three minutes in support of the petition…’

2)         Chapter 8 Regulatory and Other Committees

that Rule 8.2.7 be amended as follows:

8.2.7 Speaking by Members other than [Planning] Committee Members

‘…if the Member who wishes to speak is not the relevant Ward Member they will need to provide evidence that he/she (or their residents) are directly affected by the proposed development.  Ward Members directly affected by the proposed development should register to speak as either a supporter or objector as appropriate.  In cases of applications situated in a single member ward and the Ward Member is directly affected by the proposed development, a Ward Member from an adjoining ward may be requested to speak on others’ behalf.’

3)        that Section 9 Ethics and Corporate Governance be amended as set out in Appendix 1 to the report;

4)        revisions to the Procurement and Contract Rules and Procedures as highlighted in Appendix 2 to the report.

The Council considered a report regarding proposed changes to the Constitution as recommended by the Constitution Review Working Group, as set out on Agenda pages 57 to 124.

It was proposed by Paul Swaddle and seconded by Pauline Helliar-Symons that the recommendations set out in the report be approved.

Paul Swaddle informed the Council that it was his last Council meeting.  He and Pauline Helliar Symons stressed the importance of extending the length of time given to present petitions at Council meetings. 

Upon being put to the vote the it was:

RESOLVED:  That Council agree the following changes to the Constitution as recommended by the Constitution Review Working Group:

1)         Chapter 4 The Council Meeting

            that Rule 4.2.19.2 be amended as follows:

4.2.19.2 Petitions presented to Council

            ‘….Members will be entitled to speak for no more than three minutes in      support of a petition.  A member of the public may present a petition at     any meeting of the Council and will be entitled to speak for no more         than three minutes in support of the petition…’

2)         Chapter 8 Regulatory and Other Committees

            that Rule 8.2.7 be amended as follows:

            8.2.7 Speaking by Members other than [Planning] Committee    Members

            ‘…if the Member who wishes to speak is not the relevant Ward         Member they will need to provide evidence that he/she (or their      residents) are directly affected by the proposed development.  Ward            Members directly affected by the proposed development should             register to speak as either a supporter or objector as       appropriate.  In cases of applications             situated in a single member       ward and the Ward Member is directly affected by the proposed            development, a Ward Member from an adjoining ward may be             requested to speak on others’ behalf.’

3)         that Section 9 Ethics and Corporate Governance be amended as set          out in Appendix 1 to the report;

4)         revisions to the Procurement and Contract Rules and Procedures as           highlighted in Appendix 2 to the report.