Agenda item

13.1

It was formally moved by Councillor Douglas Johnson, and formally seconded by Councillor Alison Teal, that this Council:-

(a)       believes in the rule of law;

(b)       notes that the UK has a long and proud tradition of organising society on rules of law and not on arbitrary decree; and that constitutions and agreed rules of procedure are essential for democracy to function;

(c)        notes the Review of Full Council Meetings Members Working Group has had several constructive meetings about improving the operation of Full Council, including through broadcasting, and will continue to work up options; and

(d)       believes, therefore, in the need to safeguard democracy by scrutinising proposed changes to the Council’s own constitution very carefully and ensuring that any changes comply with the constitution itself.

13.2

Whereupon, it was formally moved by Councillor Olivia Blake, and formally seconded by Councillor Craig Gamble Pugh, as an amendment, that the Motion now submitted be amended by the deletion of paragraph (d) and the addition of new paragraphs (d) and (e) as follows:-

(d)       notes that the changes in meeting times of Full Council and other operational matters are the outcomes of a cross-party Member working group looking at improving decision making and public engagement, and that the new changes are only being trialled on a temporary period; and

(e)       reaffirms the Administration’s assertion that any changes to the constitution will only take place in accordance with the constitutional process, and only with the backing of the relevant cross party Member working group.

13.3

On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried.

13.4

The original Motion, as amended, was then put as a Substantive Motion in the following form and carried:-

RESOLVED: That this Council:-

(a)       believes in the rule of law;

(b)       notes that the UK has a long and proud tradition of organising society on rules of law and not on arbitrary decree; and that constitutions and agreed rules of procedure are essential for democracy to function;

(c)        notes the Review of Full Council Meetings Members Working Group has had several constructive meetings about improving the operation of Full Council, including through broadcasting, and will continue to work up options;

(d)       notes that the changes in meeting times of Full Council and other operational matters are the outcomes of a cross-party Member working group looking at improving decision making and public engagement, and that the new changes are only being trialled on a temporary period; and

(e)       reaffirms the Administration’s assertion that any changes to the constitution will only take place in accordance with the constitutional process, and only with the backing of the relevant cross party Member working group.