Agenda item

“This Council, wishing to ensure that governance arrangements for the County are transparent, inclusive and reflect the political situation which exists,  asks the Cabinet to work with Political Group Leaders to come forward with a plan to replace the Cabinet with 3 Committees to cover each of the Strategic Directorates.

These Committees would have delegated decision making powers from the Council and would be politically balanced. The Locality Groups would become Committees for each of the District Council Areas (there is already a Locality Group for the City). These Locality Committees would be consulted on policy and budget matters by the Directorate Committees. Robust Scrutiny Structures would be put in place. The Plan to be worked on with a view to the change in the structure being put in place by May 2018.”

With the agreement of Council, Councillor Brighouse moved  and Councillor Webber seconded an amendment to her motion at the suggestion of Councillor Webber as follows in bold italics and stikethrough:

“This Council, wishing to ensure that governance arrangements for the County are transparent, inclusive and reflect the political situation which exists,  asks the Cabinet to work with Political Group Leaders to come forward with a plan to replace the Cabinet with 3 Committees to cover each of the Strategic Directorates. a committee structure.

These Committees would have delegated decision making powers from the Council and would be politically balanced. The Locality Groups would become Committees for each of the District Council Areas (there is already a Locality Group for the City). These Locality Committees would be consulted on policy and budget matters by the Directorate Committees. Robust Scrutiny Structures would be put in place. The Plan to be worked on with a view to the change in the structure being put in place by May 2018.”

Councillor Fatemian Moved and Councillor Bulmer seconded the following amendment shown in bold italics and underline

This Council, wishing to ensure that governance arrangements for the County are transparent, inclusive and reflect the political situation which exists,  asks the Cabinet to work with Political Group Leaders to come forward with a plan to replace the Cabinet with 3 Committees to cover each of the Strategic Directorates. a committee structure.” or alternitve governance and committee models which could further strengthen the work of the Council.

These Committees would have delegated decision making powers from the Council and would be politically balanced. The Locality Groups would become Committees for each of the District Council Areas (there is already a Locality Group for the City). These Locality Committees would be consulted on policy and budget matters by the Directorate Committees. Robust Scrutiny Structures would be put in place. The Plan to be worked on with a view to the change in the structure being put in place by May 2018. as soon as practicable.

Following debate, the amendmet by Councillor Fatemian was put to the vote and was carried by 31 votes to 29, with 1 abstention:

The substantive motion as amended was put to the vote and was carried by 60 votes to 1.

RESOLVED: (by 60 votes to1)

This Council, wishing to ensure that governance arrangements for the County are transparent, inclusive and reflect the political situation which exists,  asks the Cabinet to work with Political Group Leaders to come forward with a plan to replace the Cabinet with a committee structure  or alternative governance and committee models which could further strengthen the work of the Council.

These Committees would have delegated decision making powers from the Council and would be politically balanced. Locality Committees would be consulted on policy and budget matters by the Committees. Robust Scrutiny Structures would be put in place. The Plan to be worked on with a view to the change in the structure being put in place as soon as practicable.