Agenda item

Purpose: to notify Council of the work undertaken by the Constitution Review Task Group to date, as reviewed by the Governance and Ethics Committee at its meeting on 15 November 2021, and for Council to consider its proposals.

Council considered a report (Agenda Item 20) notifying it of the work undertaken by the Constitution Review Task Group to date, as reviewed by the Governance and Ethics Committee at its meeting on 15 November 2021. The recommendations propose: an additional ordinary meeting of Council in March 2022; that the meeting of Council scheduled to take place on 3 March 2022 will deal purely with the 2022/23 Council budget and no other business; a response to Motions submitted by Councillor Lee Dillon proposing changes to the Constitution, and; certain changes to the Constitution. The report was in anticipation of wholesale changes to the Constitution, as expanded upon in it, to include making some or all of the proposals set out permanent.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Lynne Doherty and seconded by Councillor Tom Marino:

“That the Council:

(a)       notes the progress made so far by the Task Group and that the temporary proposals contained in this report are anticipated to form part of the permanent proposals coming forward from the Task Group for amendments to the Constitution in due course.

(b)       agrees that the meeting of Council scheduled to take place on 3 March 2022 will be regarded as the 2022 Budget Meeting of Council.

(c)       approves a further ordinary meeting of Council on the 17^th March 2022.

(d)       approves the rules of procedure for the 2022 Budget Meeting of Council detailed at Appendix C.

(e)       rejects the Motions submitted by Councillor Lee Dillon proposing changes to the Constitution but notes proposed amendments to related processes.

(f)        approves the proposals for the hosting of a themed debate once per year.

(g)       authorises the Council’s appointed Auditors to make representations as appropriate at meetings of the Council’s Governance and Ethics Committee and Council.

(h)      delegates to the Monitoring Officer the power to make minor amendments to the Constitution following (i) these changes, and (ii) organisational changes.

Councillor Lynne Doherty recommended approval of the Motion and thanked the Task Group for the work it had done, noting the issues of concern previously raised at Council which had been addressed in the report.

Councillor Howard Woollaston commended the Motion to Council as a short-term proposal for the new Municipal Year which will be incorporated within the revisions that the Constitution Review Task Group is working on.

Councillor Jeff Brooks expressed his opinion that the Motion was a step in the right direction, and referred to what he believed were impractical proposals to limit the debate based on political proportionality rules which had been suggested but rejected.

Councillor Martha Vickers referred to the themed debates being proposed and stated her hope that members of public would be invited to participate, particularly young people from secondary schools who may be inspired to become future councillors.

Councillor David Marsh expressed his opinion that the Motion was a step in the right direction as voting for items on block is not a good way to operate. The themed debates may help improve involvement in the democratic process in a modest way.

Councillor Graham Bridgman, as Chairman of the Task Group, stated his belief that the Council currently operates a democratic process. Councillor Bridgman expressed doubts on whether non-elected members could participate in Council debates but welcomed the thought of organising debates amongst the youth and endorsed the Motion.

Councillor James Cole stated his belief that the proposals were imminently sensible and a good compromise.

Councillor Claire Rowles referred to the themed debates hosted by the Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel and suggested that outside bodies could contribute and enrich any themed debates held by this Council.

Ms Sarah Clarke confirmed that the proposal (as it stands) is for themed debates to be limited to Members of Council. It was noted that this is an interim report with further proposals coming forward in the future, and that the points mentioned during debate would be taken to the Task Group for discussion.

Councillor Tom Marino echoed the supportive comments expressed by fellow councillors on the work undertaken by the Task Group.

Councillor Lynne Doherty referred to the problems experienced at the last Budget Meeting but disagreed that there was a democratic deficit at the Council. Councillor Doherty highlighted that a majority of local authorities have adopted the Cabinet model of decision making as the Committee system can be cumbersome and difficult to achieve momentum within, and she commended the Motion for approval. 

An indicative vote of all Members present in the Chamber and those attending remotely suggested that the passing of the Motion would be supported. 

The Motion was put to the vote of the Members present in the Chamber and duly RESOLVED.