Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services

Members considered a report of the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services on the outcome of the consultation on the “Strong Leader” Model of executive arrangements and the timetable for the necessary changes to be implemented. It was recommended that the Council re-affirm its previously expressed preference for a “Strong Leader” Model.

The recommendations were moved by Councillor G. N. Denaro and seconded by Councillor R. Hollingworth. In doing so, Councillor Denaro drew attention to minor alterations required to the wording of Appendix 3 and moved the wording as corrected.

An amendment was moved by Councillor P. M. McDonald and seconded by Councillor C. J. K. Wilson that the Council go out for further consultation before arriving at a decision.

The Monitoring Officer advised that the statutory timescales meant there was no further time for consultation and that a decision was required by the end of December 2010. She reminded Members that they had previously agreed what form the consultation should take and advised that the Department for Communities and Local Government concurred with the level of consultation undertaken. The Council’s approach was not inconsistent with other authorities and neither was the response.

On a requisition under Council Procedure Rule 17.5, the following details of voting on the amendment were recorded.

For the amendment: Councillors Mrs. A. E. Doyle, Ms. J. A. Marshall, Mrs. C. M. McDonald, P. M. McDonald, D. McGrath, E. J, Murray, D. L. Pardoe, S. R. Peters, S. P. Shannon, L. J. Turner and C. J. K. Wilson (11);

Against the motion: Councillors Mrs. J. M. Boswell, Miss D. H. Campbell, S. R. Colella, G. N. Denaro, Mrs. R. L. Dent, J. T. Duddy, Mrs. J. Dyer M.B.E., D. Hancox, R. Hollingworth, Ms. H. J. Jones, B. Lewis, C. R. Scurrell, Mrs. M. A. Sherrey JP, R. D. Smith, C. B. Taylor, E. C. Tibby, C. J. Tidmarsh, M. J. A. Webb and P. J. Whittaker (19).

Accordingly, the Chairman declared the amendment to be LOST.

The report recommendations (as altered at Appendix 3) were then put to the vote as the substantive motion, whereupon it was

RESOLVED:

(a)               that the Council notes the responses to the consultation as referred to in Appendix 2 of the report;

(b)               that the Council notes the next stage is for “proposals” to be published and then by implemented by resolution at the meeting of the full Council on 1st December 2010; and

(c)                that the Council agree the draft “proposals” based on the “Strong Leader” model set out in the Appendix 3 to the report (as altered to read as shown below) and that these be published:

“1. The Constitution be amended as shown in Schedule 1.

2.      That the Strong Leader model be implemented from 08 May 2011.

3.      As a transitional arrangement, from 08 May 2011 until 18 May 2011 (or such other date on which the Council Annual Meeting for 2011 takes place, the current Leader should continue in office”.