Chichester District Council
Decision details

Decision details

Timing of Council Meetings

Decision Maker: Council

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decisions:

The Council considered the report circulated with the agenda (copy attached to the official minutes).

 

Mr Dignum (Leader of the Council), seconded by Mrs Lintill, moved the recommendations of the Cabinet. He reminded the Council that, following two lengthy council meetings that had been preceded by a briefing and an open forum session, the Cabinet had been asked to review the start time, length and frequency of council meetings, and all members had been asked to express their views by way of an email from the Chief Executive.

 

The Cabinet’s recommendations on the length and frequency of meetings were set out in in paragraph 5.3(a) and (b) of the report. These included a recognition that, whilst efficiency was important, it was subservient to freedom of expression. It was also suggested that no more than two ordinary Cabinet meetings should report to any one council meeting.

 

There had not been a clear majority for any of the options for the start time of meetings, and so the Council was asked to make a choice.

 

In the ensuing debate members expressed, sometimes conflicting, views on reasons for preferring either a morning or an afternoon start time, including:

 

·         An afternoon start time gave certainty that the morning would be clear for other activities.

·         Conflicting views on whether a morning or an afternoon start time was preferred for members who were in employment or had children at school.

·         The public would probably find afternoon meetings easier to attend.

·         Candidates for election know when they agree to be nominated at what time meetings were held.

 

On a vote being taken, a majority of members supported an afternoon start time, and on a further vote, a majority supported a 2.00pm start time (with briefing sessions starting at 12.30 pm).

 

RESOLVED

 

(1)  That the proposed changes to Council meetings as listed in paragraph 5.3(a) and (b) be approved.

 

(2)  That, in future, Council meetings should start at 2:00pm (with briefing sessions starting at 12:30pm).

 

Report author: Mrs Diane Shepherd

Publication date: 19/04/2016

Date of decision: 31/03/2016

Decided at meeting: 31/03/2016 - Council

Accompanying Documents:

 

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