Decision Maker: Constitution and Governance Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: January 6, 2026

Purpose:

Content: It was moved by Councillor Rowse, seconded by Councillor Chopak, and   RESOLVED  that it be RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL that:   1.  Council Procedure Rule 12.4 be amended as follows to enable more motions to be debated at Council meetings:-   Motions for which notice has been duly given (other than motions under Rule 13), shall be debated at the meeting on the basis of the following:-   (i)  Motions approved at Council relating to an executive function will be advisory and not bind the Cabinet, or individual Cabinet Member, but may inform their future decisions. (ii)  Advisory motions relating to non-executive functions may be considered and approved at Council or referred to the relevant Committee for detailed consideration.  In the case of the latter, an advisory motion approved at Council will not bind the future deliberations of the Committee which the matter has been referred to but may inform its future recommendations.   Should a motion not be dealt with at a Council meeting for any reason (other than withdrawal by the proposer), it shall stand referred by the Chairman to the Cabinet or relevant Committee.   2.  As a consequence of (1), Council Procedure Rule 12.5 be amended as follows:   Where the Council votes on a motion in an advisory capacity, the Cabinet, individual Cabinet Member or Committee must report back to the Council within six months of the date of the Council voting on the motion. Where the motion relates to an executive function, the Cabinet, or individual Cabinet Member, shall consider and make a decision on the motion, and the Leader will report that decision back to Council through their Leader’s announcements.   It was further recommended by Cole, seconded by Councillor Rowse, that:-   1.  It be recommended to Council that the following parameters be put in place to support effective agenda management:     i.  The meeting be closed at 6.00pm;   ii.  That the first business on the agenda should consist of statutory business as set out in Article 4 of the Constitution;   iii.  That up to three hours be set aside for motions, and that any motions not discussed be referred to the relevant body;   iv.  That the Chairman has discretion to order the motions on the agenda, in consultation with Group Leaders.   It was further RESOLVED that:   2.  Authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of this Committee, to draft appropriate wording to support the constitutional position for inclusion in the report to Council with the Committee’s recommendation.   3.   A placeholder be made on this Committee’s work programme to enable a review of any changes approved by Council, after twelve months of operation, should this prove necessary.