Agenda item

Council assembly to consider constitutional issues referred from the constitutional steering panel.

(See pages 18 – 26 of supplemental agenda 1)

This report was considered after the guillotine had fallen, therefore in accordance with council assembly procedure rule 1.12 (3) & (4), the report was afforded up to a maximum of 15 minutes.

The recommendations contained within the report were put to the vote and declared to be carried.

RESOLVED:

Council assembly – members’ question time

1.  That the changes identified in paragraphs 10 – 14 of the report on the rotation of questions to cabinet members be agreed so that questions are taken in the following ratio for political groups i.e. Labour 3, Liberal Democrat 2 and Conservative 1.

2.  That it be noted that in future two cabinet members would be moved to the bottom of the list for members’ questions (see paragraphs 15 – 16 of the report).  The proper constitutional officer to write to all councillors giving notice of the change.

Leader’s question time

3.  That the introduction of a council meeting for the consideration of questions from the public to the leader, see paragraphs 17 – 29 of the report, be agreed.

4.  That the first leader’s question time be held on Wednesday 22 October 2014 to coincide with council assembly, which will now be summonsed as an extra-ordinary meeting of the council assembly to consider any business that cannot wait for decision until the next ordinary meeting in the following month of November 2014.

5.  That it be noted the constitutional steering panel considered a broad outline of the event for the leader’s question time (see paragraphs 19 – 25 of the report).

6.  That the constitutional change formalising this position as set out in paragraph 29 of the report be agreed.

Consequential changes

7.  That the proper constitutional officer be authorised to make any necessary consequential changes to the constitution as a result of the above.