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(1) 
That it be recommended to Council that the
proposed amendments to Council Standing Orders as set out in
Appendix 1 be adopted, subject to the following
amendments:
 

a)   
Report by the Leader of the Council (Standing
Order 11A):

                            
i.       
Standing Order 11A.1 - to add in the additional
words in italics to the proposed amendment so reads “At least
one hour before the published start time of each ordinary
meeting of Council…”

                           
ii.       
Standing Order 11A.3.3 - to amend the proposed
amendment so that where a reply cannot be given orally a written
answer is provided within twenty working days.

 

b)  
Member Question Time (Standing Order
12):

                            
i.       
Standing Order 12.2- the proposal to limit each
Member to one written question per ordinary Council meeting was not
approved.

                           
ii.       
Standing Order 12.4 -to add in the additional
words in italics so reads “The Lord Mayor, or at the
request of the Lord Mayor the Director of Legal and Governance
may rule that a question shall not be put if s/he considers it is
in breach of this Standing Order.

                         
iii.       
Standing Order 12.5.1- to amend the time frame
for delivery of written questions from seven working days before
the meeting to eight working days.

                         
iv.       
Standing Order 12.13.3- to amend the proposed
amendment so that where a reply cannot be given orally a written
answer is circulated within twenty working days.
 

c)   
Extraordinary Meetings (Standing Order
6):

                            
i.       
Standing Order 6.1.1 and 6.1.2 -to add
in additional words in italics so reads “6.1.1 The Lord Mayor
or 6.1.2 the Chief Executive or Chief Finance Officer
or Monitoring Officer or

 

 

d)    Motions, Amendments
to Motions and Recommendations timetable (Standing Orders 17,
18 and 16):

i)            
That the proposed amendments in Standing Orders
16.3,17.1 and

18.4 be recommended to Council to consider at its
Annual Meeting in May 2026 contingent upon Council meetings for the
Municipal Year 26/27 being held on a Thursday rather than a
Tuesday and with the proposed eight working days being amended
to nine working days in Standing Order 17.1.
 

e)   
Speeches of Members (Standing Order
22):

i)    
The proposal to amend in Standing
Order 22.1 the time allowed from 10 minutes to 5 and 5 minutes to 3
(other than at Budget Council) was not
approved. 
 
(2)  That it be recommended to Council that the proposed amendments
to the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules as set
out in Appendix 2 be adopted, subject to the following
amendment:

 

(a)         
Paragraph 8.6.1- to add in the additional words
in italics so reads “A decision may, no later than 17.00hrs
(16.30 hrs on a Friday) on the fifth working day following
publication under paragraph 8.1 be called-in by the Chair of any
Overview and Scrutiny Committee or any three voting members of any
Overview and Scrutiny Committee (excluding voting alternate
members).   
 

(3) That all Elected Members familiarise themselves
with Standing Orders 12.4     and 12.11.
 

(4) That Standing Order 12.4 is adhered to more
closely and that the Director of Legal and Governance keeps under
review the management of member questions to Executive members with
a view to reporting back to Governance and Audit Committee before
the annual meeting of Council in May 2026. 
 

(5) That the Director of Legal and Governance will
consider the practicalities of written answers to questions under
Standing Order 12.14 (the additional questions not included on the
Council agenda) being published as soon as each answer is
available.
 
(6)  That the Director of Legal and Governance amend
Appendices 1 and 2 to reflect Governance and Audit
Committee’s proposed amendments for Full
Council’s consideration.
 

(7) That the Director of Legal and Governance
consider making the Constitution gender neutral, commencing with
Council Standing Orders.
 
(8)  That the Director of Legal and Governance be granted delegated
authority to make consequential amendments to the Constitution as a
result of any recommendations approved by Full
Council.
 

(To be actioned by: Director, Legal and
Governance)
 

(Jason Field - 07890 416571)