Members considered a report of the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services which presented proposed revisions to the Council’s Constitution based on changes previously agreed, together with updated terms of reference for the Local Development Framework Working Party which better reflected its role. The report also presented a proposed new policy on ICT provision for Members.
The recommendations set out in 2.1 of the report were moved by Councillor G. Denaro and seconded by Councillor R. Hollingworth.
Councillor S.R. Peters moved an amendment that 8.2.1 of the Introduction to the Constitution (as set out in Appendix 1 to the report) be altered to state that Cabinet Members may not serve on the Audit Board. He withdrew a second part to the amendment which he had moved. The amendment was not seconded.
An amendment was moved by Councillor P. M. McDonald and seconded by Councillor C. J. K. Wilson that 6.2 of the Articles of the Constitution (as set out in Appendix 2 to the report) be altered to read: “The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board is a member of the non-controlling political group” instead of “…may be a member of the non-controlling political group.
Having been put to the vote, the Chairman declared the amendment to be LOST.
The recommendations set out in 2.1 of the report then became the substantive motion.
On a requisition under Council Procedure Rule 17.5, the following details of voting on the recommendations were recorded.
For the recommendations: Councillors Dr. D. W. P. Booth JP, Mrs. J. M. Boswell, Miss D. H. Campbell JP, S. R. Colella, R. J. Deeming, G. N. Denaro, Mrs. R. L. Dent, Mrs. J. Dyer M.B.E., D. Hancox, R. Hollingworth, Ms. H. J. Jones, B. Lewis, J. A. Ruck, C. R. Scurrell, Mrs. M. A. Sherrey JP, R. D. Smith, Mrs. C. J. Spencer, C. B. Taylor, E. C. Tibby, C. J. Tidmarsh, M. J. A. Webb and P. J. Whittaker (22);
Against the recommendations: Councillors Mrs. C. M. McDonald, P. M. McDonald, D. McGrath, E. J. Murray, W. R. Newnes, S. P. Shannon and C. J. K. Wilson (7);
Abstentions: Councillors D. L. Pardoe, S. R. Peters and L. J. Turner.
RESOLVED that the Council notes and approves the revised sections of the Constitution as set out in Appendices 1-3 of the report.
The recommendations set out in 2.2 of the report were moved by Councillor G. N. Denaro and seconded by Councillor R. Hollingworth.
During the debate Councillor W. R. Newnes requested that information in relation to the cost of providing Blackberry devices to the Leader and Deputy Leader be made available.
Having been put to the vote, it was
RESOLVED that the Council approves the Policy on Members ICT facilities as set out at Appendix 4 of the report and the revised terms of reference for the Local Development Framework Party as set out at Appendix 5.