Issue - meetings

To consider the proposed revisions to the Council’s Constitution.

Members were advised that the revision of the Constitution had been undertaken in consultation with members over a number of months, and a review of the Constitution was long overdue. It was noted that some of the comments raised at the informal Corporate Scrutiny Committee had been incorporated into the document.

A proposed amendment to Part Three, Section Six (page 27) to remove the ability for Council to remove membership from a Committee which was duly seconded. However the Monitoring Officer, advised that the amendment was not valid as it did not comply with the Local Government Housing Act 1989 which advised how membership to committees was allocated and removed, to recognise the members who were not part of a political group.

A proposed amendment to Part Three, Section Six (Page 27) to remove the word relevant from the last sentence in the Appointments Sub-Committee section was advanced and duly seconded.

The amendment was accepted.

Concern was raised at the size of the document and the limited amount of time given to read and digest the contents, it was also noted that some members believed they had not been consulted on the revised version. Confirmation was provided that the Audit Committee had seven members and not six.

A proposal for deferral was made and duly seconded, a vote was taken and the result was as follows:

The proposal fell.

A vote on the Constitution was taken and result was as follows:

RESOLVED:

THAT the works that has been carried out to review and revise the Constitution be Approved.

THAT the outcome of the member consultation process, including the comments made by Corporate Scrutiny Committee at its informal meeting on 13 October 2020 be considered.

THAT the formal adoption of the revised Constitution by Full Council be agreed.

THAT the word relevant be removed from the last line in the paragraph titled Appointments Sub-Committee.

THAT the Audit Committee number be confirmed as seven

To approve and recommend the revised Constitution to Full Council.

Option 1 – to recommend the revised constitution for adoption by Full Council on 18 November 2020

The revision to the Constitution had been undertaken in consultation with officers and members, the Corporate Scrutiny Committee had met and the suggested amendments were incorporated at appendix C.