Agenda item - Review of the Council's Constitution

Extract from the proceedings of the Policy & Resources Committee meeting held on the 2 December 2022, together with a report of the Executive Lead Officer for Strategy, Governance & Law.

70.1         Councillor Clare introduced the report and wished to thank the Members of the Constitution Review Working Group and officers that supported it for their continued work in developing the constitution so that it was fit for purpose.

70.2         Councillors Meadows, O’Quinn, Fishleigh, Allcock, Appich, Atkinson and Bagaeen spoke on the matter.

70.3         The mayor then put the recommendations to the vote which were carried by 23 votes to 12.

70.4         RESOLVED:

(1)      That the proposal to make changes to the Council’s Procedure Rules in Part 3.2 of the Council’s Constitution indicated in paragraphs 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 4.5 and Appendix 1 to the report, but not the changes indicated in paragraph 4.3 which Policy & Resources Committee recommends are not adopted be approved;

(2)      That the proposal outlined in para 4.8 to transfer responsibility to manage authorised and unauthorised encampments (including all activities incidental to the Council’s functions of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers and Van dwellers) to the Housing Committee from the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee be agreed;

(3)      That it be noted that the disability representative agreed by the Policy & Resources Committee at its meeting on 2 May 2021, would attend Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee and has the status of a standing invitee, the appointment of which is a matter for Policy & Resources Committee;

(4)      That both the proposal to make changes to Part 8.5 and the amendments to the rules on future changes to that Part outlined in para 4.21 of the report be approved;

(5)      That the proposed changes referred to in paras 2.1 (Appendix 1) of the report be approved;

(6)      That the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer be authorised to take all steps necessary or incidental for the implementation of the changes agreed by the Policy & Resources Committee and by Full Council and authorises the Monitoring Officer to amend and re-publish the Council’s constitutional documents to incorporate the changes.

(7)      That the proposed changes come into force immediately following their approval by Policy & Resources Committee or adoption by Full Council, as appropriate.