Agenda and minutes

That Mr N. J. Rushton CC be elected Chairman for the period ending with the date of the Annual Meeting of the County Council in 2019.

Mr N. J. Rushton CC – in the Chair

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 September 2017 were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been received under Standing Order 35.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been received under Standing Order 7(3) and 7(5).

There were no urgent items for consideration.

The Chairman invited members who wished to do so to declare any interest in respect of items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations were made.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive which set out proposals to change the Constitution’s Meeting Procedure Rules (Standing Orders) to dispense with the County Council meeting held in March and to allow ordinary business to be transacted at the Budget meeting in February and the Annual meeting in May.  A copy of the report is filed with these minutes.

Mr. S. J. Galton CC raised concerns about the reduced opportunity for opposition groups to hold the Leader and his Cabinet to account.  In addition to allowing business to be transacted at the Budget and Annual Council meetings he requested that consideration be given to allowing greater participation by back bench members to raise issues for debate.   The Leader requested that the Chief Executive look at the processes for debate permitted by other Authorities at Council meetings.

RESOLVED:

(a)  That the County Council be recommended to approve the proposed changes to the Constitution’s Meeting Procedure Rules (Standing Orders) as set out in the report.

(b)  That the Chief Executive be requested look at the processes for debate permitted by other Authorities at Council meetings.