Agenda item

Notices of Motion

To consider any Notices of Motion that have been received in accordance with paragraph 1.34 of the Council Procedure Rules

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the following Notices of Motion:-

 

1.       Supplementary Planning Guidance – Hand Car Washes 

 

Proposed by Councillor Paul Bates and Seconded by Councillor
Janet Clowes

 

To have a supplementary planning document outlining best practice in terms of location and operation of hand car washes and valets in Cheshire East, taking into account the Government report on Hand Car Washes, local impact on the environment and location. 

 

Background Document:

House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee - Hand Car Washes

 

RESOLVED

 

That the motion stand referred to the Strategic Planning Board.

 

2.       OFSTED Inspection

 

Proposed by Councillor George Hayes and Seconded by Councillor Martin Deakin

 

That this Council recognises and celebrates its recent OFSTED Inspection – paying particular attention to the improvements made by all colleagues and broader stakeholders to improve and sustain opportunities and outcomes for our children in care. And that this Council reaffirms its commitment to continuing to provide the best possible services for our cared for and care leaver population.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the motion be approved.

 

3.       Cheshire East Reflects

 

Proposed by Councillor David Brown and Seconded by Councillor Gordon Baxendale

 

This Council congratulates all those staff and Members involved with the delivery of the very successful four year Cheshire East Reflects programme which has marked the centenary of the First World War. The programme, which has seen Cheshire East work with community groups, town and parish Councils, schools, the Royal British Legion, artists and organisations such as the Imperial War Museum North has hosted a very wide range of events. These have included artist led workshops, dozens of education sessions, heritage events, community choir performances, artist commissions, parades, building projection artworks and services of commemoration and remembrance. The programme concluded with two very well attended and poignant events in Crewe (10th November) and Tatton (11th November).

 

RESOLVED

 

That the motion be approved.

 

 

With regard to Notices of Motion 4,5 and 6, following discussion with the proposers of the motions, and with the Independent Group Leader, the Mayor  proposed from the chair that there be no debate upon these important matters now and that a special meeting of Council be convened to consider these items in full in February 2019, or as soon as possible thereafter, but in the current Municipal year, based upon a fully reasoned officer report, or reports, and this was seconded:-

 

4.       Comparative Analysis

 

Proposed by Councillor James Nicholas and Seconded by Councillor Craig Browne

 

This Council requests that a comparative analysis be published to enable a special meeting of Council, to be held in February 2019, or as soon as possible thereafter, to discuss and debate changing to a committee system form of governance.

 

Background information:                                                                                                  

 

The Independent Group are calling for a report to be written and presented to Full Council in February 2019, or as soon as possible thereafter, as to why this council should change to a committee system form of governance.

 

  • Conservative held Canterbury Council unanimously voted to change to a committee system to prevent holding, what they deemed to be, an unnecessary and costly referendum.
  • Two other Conservative councils were forced to hold referenda and now operate a committee system.
  • A committee system is considered a more open, democratic and transparent form of governance, which aligns with the current drive to bring about cultural change at CEC.
  • Residents perception is of a small ‘clique’ of 8 members having almost total control and decisions being made out of the public arena at informal cabinet.
  • A cost neutral change to a committee system was achieved in Basildon, West Dorset, Sutton and Reading Unitary Council  to name a few.
  • The Independent Group is organising a petition for a referendum which is being widely supported across the borough.
  • If a referendum is forced upon residents, the issue cannot be discussed again for a further 10 years. If the Council voluntarily decides to change then the issue can be revisited after 5 years.
  • The cost to hold a stand-alone referendum is estimated to be between £500 - £700k.
  • The committee system has wider Councillor engagement in the decision-making process.
  • Macclesfield, Congleton and Crewe & Nantwich all successfully used the committee system, until it was abolished in 2001.
  • The committee system was re-introduced by the coalition Government in 2011.
  • The only negative comments regarding the committee system is the length of time taken for some decisions to be made. However, a fast-track procedure can be incorporated.

 

5.       Allocation of Chairs of Overview and Scrutiny Committees

 

Proposed by Councillor Craig Browne and Seconded by Councillor Arthur Moran

 

This Council agrees to allocate all Chairs of Overview & Scrutiny Committees to opposition members as soon as is practicable.

 

Background information:

 

The Corporate Policy and Legal Services portfolio holder said he “was not against the principle of opposition chairs” at full council on the 19th Oct 2017. Nothing has progressed since.

 

Taken from the minutes of the Constitution meeting 14th May, 2014 (item 12) said:

That, in acknowledgement of recommendation 12 of the report by Professors Leach and Copus, as set out in Appendix A of the report to the Constitution Committee, the Council move to a position where there is some sharing of committee chairs and vice chairs with opposition parties, subject to an appropriate behavioural protocol being adopted.

 

The Leach report, commissioned by CEC, in 2014 said:

“The sharing of chairs amongst all represented groups is widely regarded as ‘good practice’ and conducive to effective scrutiny.”

 

 

6.       Allocation of Committee Chairs across Political Groups

 

Proposed by Councillor Arthur Moran and Seconded by Councillor Bernice Walmsley

 

This Council agrees to allocate all remaining Committee Chairs across the political groups in line with the principle of proportionality.

         

RESOLVED

 

That motions 3, 4 and 5 stand referred to a special meeting of Council, to be convened to consider these matters in February 2019, or as soon as possible thereafter, but in the current Municipal year.

 

Supporting documents: