Agenda item

The Full Council considered report LDS/162 of the Interim Monitoring Officer.  The report, which set out potential options for a more proportionate and sustainable system for the appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs to the Council’s committees. This had been proposed in light of the current Joint Agreement between the two political groups.

The item had been previously considered at the Governance Committee on 26 January 2021. Councillor Burrett moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Crow.

Councillor Lamb moved and presented the Labour amendment, (as shown in Supplementary Agenda Order Paper). The amendment was seconded and supported by Councillor Lunnon. The Labour Amendment was

That the Full Council be recommended to:

a)         adopt Strict Proportional Approach to the allocation of Committee Chairs and to adopt a Strict Proportional Approach to the allocation of Committee Vice Chairs.

b)         to amend the Constitution to reflect the adopted protocol regarding the allocation of Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs.

During the debate both on the original Recommendation 2 and the proposed amendment, Councillors McCarthy Lamb and Burrett all spoke during the debate, on their merits of each option before the Full Council, including the right to reply.

Following the conclusion of the debate, the Mayor invited the Democratic Services Manager to commence the voting process on the Labour Amendment. Before the vote commenced, it was confirmed that none of the Labour or Conservative Members requested to vote as an individual, rather than through their respective Group block vote.

For the recommendation: Labour block vote of 15 votes, and Councillors Fiveash and Sudan. (17)

Against the recommendation: Conservative block vote of 17 votes (17)

Abstentions: (0)

The Mayor declared the recommendation was carried – votes in favour 34, and votes against 0 with 0 abstentions.

As a result of the tied vote, the Mayor used the casting vote, to vote AGAINST the proposed Amendment.  There were therefore 18 votes for the against the proposal and 17 votes for and no abstentions. 

RESOLVED

That the Labour Amendment then falls.

The Mayor then invited the Democratic Services Manager to commence the voting on the substantive Recommendation 2. Before the vote commenced, it was confirmed that none of the Labour or Conservative Members requested to vote as an individual, rather than through their respective Group block vote.

For the recommendation: Conservative block vote of 17 votes (17)

Against the recommendation: None (0)

Abstentions: Labour block vote of 15 votes, and Councillors Fiveash and Sudan. (17)

The Mayor declared the recommendation was carried – votes in favour 17, and votes against 0 with 17 abstentions.

As a result of the tied vote, the Mayor used the casting vote to vote FOR Recommendation 2.  There were therefore 18 votes for Recommendation and 17 abstentions and 0 votes against. 

RESOLVED

That the Full Council approves

a)          the adoption of Fixed Cascade Approach for the allocation of Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs, as detailed in the table below.

* Non-Administration Party

b)          That the Constitution be amended to reflect the adopted protocol regarding the allocation of Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs.