Leader of the Council
Minutes:
58.1 Councillor Morley introduced the report and informed Council of an amendment that had been tabled which related to Babergh only. Councillor Morley MOVED the recommendations in the report.
58.2 Councillor Richardson seconded the recommendations in the report.
58.3 Councillor Mellen proposed an amendment to the recommendation to add reserve dates in June and October for extra Council meetings to ensure the Council conducts it business in a timely manner.
58.4 The amendment was seconded by Councillor Eburne.
58.5 Councillor Morley stated that she did not feel strongly opposed to the amendment but was mindful about adding dates to the diary when there may not be Council business to conduct and asked other councillors to express their view.
58.6 Councillor Welham stated that it was better to have the dates in the diary and find there are too many meetings scheduled than to find that there is too much business and not know how it is all going to be heard.
58.7 Councillor Hicks questioned if newly proposed dates needed to be agreed at another meeting.
58.8 Councillor Passmore stated that any additional meetings should only be held if there was legitimate business.
58.9 The amendment to the recommendation was not accepted by Councillor Morley as proposer to the original recommendations.
58.10 Councillor Mellen began the debate on the amended recommendation by stating that on many occasions the guillotine motion was needed to extend council meetings to ensure all the business on the agenda could be dealt with and it would be sensible to have provisional dates in the timetable that could be utilised if needed.
58.11 Councillor Fleming stated that the provisional meetings only be held if the Chairman deemed there was sufficient business to be heard.
58.12 Councillor Richardson stated that he did not object to the amendments but hoped that they would not be needed and suggested that the suggested amendment should have been communicated to the Leader of the Council before the Council meeting.
58.13 Councillor Mansel stated that the amendment was flexible as it has only suggested months not actual dates and long meetings can mean that motions put forward by the opposition are not heard as they are usually at the end of the meeting.
58.14 Councillor Matthissen asked the Monitoring Officer if she could confirm that the Chair already had the discretion to cancel the meeting if it is not needed.
58.15 The Monitoring Officer confirmed that the Chief Executive had the authority to convene or cancel meetings however, the decision to cancel a meeting would be made in consultation with the Chair.
58.16 Councillor Stringer enquired if a vote on the amendment was lost would it result in the Council being unable to hold meetings in June and October under the 6 month rule.
58.17 The Monitoring Officer confirmed that the 6 month rule would prevent another debate on holding meetings in June and October therefore another motion would not be able to be brought forward unless a third of the Council wanted to revisit the discussion but an extra ordinary meeting could be requested under different provisions in the constitution.
58.18 Councillor Whitehead asked that if provisional meetings were agreed in June and October that the dates be communicated to Councillors as soon as possible.
58.19 By 19 votes for and 9 votes against the amendment to add provisional meetings to be held in June and October was agreed.
It was RESOLVED:-
1. That the draft Committee Timetable for 2022/23 be approved and that additional provisional Council meetings to be held in June and October 2022 be added to the timetable.
2. That the Chief Executive calls the meetings in accordance with the agreed Timetable unless there is insufficient business for the meeting to go ahead.
Supporting documents: