The Interim Monitoring Officer reported on potential
changes to the Shadow Council’s Constitution. During debate on the draft Constitution at the
final meeting of the Joint Committee, a number of issues had been
raised which it was agreed would be given further thought at a
later date. The Committee had requested
a report at its last meeting on these issues. A list of the issues
raised, together with comment by Officers was then considered as
follows: -
-
Officer Code of Conduct:
Due to the small number of employees and limited period of
employment, the preparation of an officer code of conduct to cover
the shadow period was not considered to be best use of
resources;
-
Key decisions - Use of a financial threshold: There
would be very few operational decisions would be made by the Shadow
Cabinet during the Shadow period and the definition in the paper
was accepted as adequate. It was noted that from April 2009,
£1m was the sum that would be considered as significant for
the definition in (a);
-
Number of Members required to call a Special meeting
of Council: It was confirmed that at
least 8 members should be required to request a special meeting of
the Council be called;
-
Time Limit on members speaking at meetings: The
existing 5 minute time limit was considered adequate;
-
Council Seating Plan: Members were happy with the
seating plan used at Crewe for the Council meeting on 30 July but
considered the responsibility should remain with this
Committee;
-
Confirmation of minutes etc at Council meetings: The
issue of members being allowed to question or comment on the
records of decisions of Cabinet and minutes of other Committees to
be put to any cabinet member, Chairman or Vice Chairman of the
Committee as appropriate was considered together with a draft
Constitutional provision. Members
agreed the draft provision subject to the deletion of the reference
to the word “comment” so that it reads as
follows:
“ A member may ask
a Cabinet member or a Committee Chairman (or in his/her absence the
Vice Chairman) a question on any Record of Decision or Minute. The
Cabinet Member or the Chairman or in his/her absence the Vice
Chairman will respond using their reasonable endeavours to provide
a response which addresses the matters raised in reply to the
question as put by the Member. The provisions in Procedure Rule
11.4 in relation to replies shall also apply here. There will be no
debate on any question, or response under this procedure and no
further motions can be moved.
Where a
Member wishes to ask a question on any Part 2 matter before the
Council, the question must be given, in writing, to the
Council’s Monitoring Officer at least one hour before the
start of the Council meeting.”
RESOLVED -
to recommend to Council that the proposed change
concerning Members rights to ask questions on Executive and
Committee proceedings be adopted, subject to review in six months
time.