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Amendments to the Constitution - Report of the Constitution Working Group (March 2025)

 

 

Meeting: 19/03/2025 - Council (Item 95)

95 Amendments to the Constitution - Report of the Constitution Working Group (March 2025) pdf icon PDF 543 KB

Purpose

To consider proposals from the Constitution Working Group for amendments to the Constitution.

 

Recommendations

That Council resolves to:

  1. Agree to remove the words “The Chief Executive will act as the Cost Centre Manager for that budget” from paragraph 4.18 of Part D6: Overview and Scrutiny Committee Procedure Rules.
  2. Approve the Protocol for Webcasting Meetings (Annex A) for inclusion in the Constitution.
  3. Delegate authority to the Director of Governance and Development to update the Protocol for Webcasting Meetings in the event that the government changes the law to enable remote attendance and/or proxy voting at local authority meetings.
  4. Approve the changes to Part D1 11.3 to clarify how questions on notice will be dealt with at Cabinet and Committee meetings (Annex B).
  5. Approve the updated Probity in Licensing Protocol (Annex C).
  6. Approve the updated Contract rules (Annex D).

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair requested that Council consider proposed amendments to the Council’s Constitution from the Constitution Working Group. Given the complexity of the five topics, each item would be introduced separately before a decision was taken about whether the items would be voted on individually or en-bloc.

 

The item was introduced by Councillor Mike Evemy, who stated that the proposed changes had been discussed thoroughly at the Constitution Working Group, and thanked group members for their work and consideration.

 

The first amendment discussed was the removal of some words from paragraph 4.18 of Part D6: Overview and Scrutiny Committee Procedure Rules. The words were to be removed as they were no longer applicable.

 

The second amendment suggested was around the inclusion of a Webcasting Protocol. The protocol was introduced as a guide to good practice in order to ensure a good experience for people following meetings remotely. Support for the protocol was encouraged.

 

The third item amendment was around questions at Cabinet and in Committees and was aimed at tidying up and clarifying the process.

 

The fourth amendment considered was Contract Rules. The Council’s contract rules had been updated to align with new procurement legislation. VAT was now included in contract values. And a new category had been introduced for goods and services between £30,000 and £60,000. It was noted that procedure rules changes primarily affected mid-range contracts.

 

Finally the Probity and Licensing Protocol was discussed. It was reported that the probability and licensing protocol had been reviewed, with changes aimed at improving readability and clarity. The updates reflected the responsibilities of the Planning and Licensing Committee and its subcommittee while eliminating duplication.

 

Questions from members were invited.

 

Councillor Fowles seconded the proposal and chose to speak.

Appreciation was expressed for the working group and its chair for well-run meetings. It was confirmed that a lengthy discussion had taken place on webcast meetings, with members agreeing that, despite potential future government changes, maintaining physical meetings remained preferable for transparency and engagement.

 

The Chair then moved to the debate on the resolution. There was no debate.

Members confirmed that they agreed to vote for the recommendations en-bloc rather than individually.

 

The Chair then moved to the vote on the proposed amendments to the Council's Constitution. The resolution was proposed by Councillor Mike Evemy and seconded by Councillor David Fowles.

 

Voting record:

For 28, Against 0, Abstain 0.

 

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