Agenda item

Having complied with the Motions Procedure as set out in the council’s Constitution the motion attached will be proposed by Cllr Moss and if duly seconded it will then be discussed at this meeting.

Cllr Moss was invited to read his motion. He explained that following discussion with the Leader t he would now be submitting the motion with the following slight amendment:

This Council resolves to establish an Officers and Members Working Group to review the operational model of the Council. The Working Group shall review the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny's 'Rethinking Council Governance for the 20s' paper and consider how to:

·         maximise councillor involvement in decision making

·         build upon the experience of the Recovery Groups to promote consensual working

·         offer continued financial acumen

·         provide a strong role for scrutiny and governance

·         ensure speed of decision making

·         provide open and accountable democracy

·         make the most of opportunities to work effectively with residents and local partners

The politically balanced working group, led by Corporate Governance, will commence once the current effects of Covid have finished with the aim to report to Council in the 2021/22 Council year with agreed recommendations to be introduced at the Council’s 2022 Annual Meeting.

Recognising that a change from a ‘Leader and Cabinet’ model of governance to a formal Committee System is complex, resource-intensive and undesirable given our circumstances, the Working Group will make recommendations that could be introduced to deliver a ‘best of both worlds’ ‘Hybrid’ model.

The motion was seconded by Cllr Tim Johnson.

Cllr McAra explained that he preferred the idea of a Committee System and would only support the motion if that could be considered.

Cllr Lintill explained that following discussion with Cllr Moss the motion had been amended and agreed and as such she did not wish to pre-empt the outcome of the Working Group. She emphasised that Mrs Shepherd would be best place to advise when it was appropriate to start the Group.

Cllr Donna Johnson explained that importance of everyone having confidence in local government for it to be effective.

Cllr Plowman gave his support to the proposal.

Cllr Purnell explained that she could not vote for or against as consideration had to be given to how more committee seats could be filled with the current size of membership.

Cllr Bangert gave her support to the proposal having experienced positive joint party working through the Recovery Groups.

Cllr Brown agreed that he wanted to build on the working of the Recovery Groups and address the balance of power of decision making. He also agreed with Cllr Purnell that adding more committees would need careful thought given the number of members the council has.

Cllr Oakley explained that the current Constitution could meet the aims of the motion if it was fully utilised. He promoted better general understanding of the Constitution.

Cllr Plant explained that the council is one of the best performing councils in the country and as such questioned why members would want to change something that works well.

Cllr Wilding agreed with the point raised by Cllr Purnell and Cllr Brown about the number of members available for committees. He explained that a Boundary Review would be required. Mr Bennett confirmed that a Boundary Review can only happen every 15 years so would not be possible during this administration or the next.

Cllr’s Sharp and Palmer both commented on wanting the council to work together as a whole.

Cllr Hobbs commented on whether the reward from the motion would outweigh the energy and time required to carry out the review.

Cllr O’Kelly suggested that a Hybrid system could work which is something the Group could explore.

Cllr Plowman gave his support to the motion.

A roll call vote took place and the motion was carried as follows:

This Council resolves to establish an Officers and Members Working Group to review the operational model of the Council. The Working Group shall review the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny's 'Rethinking Council Governance for the 20s' paper and consider how to:

·         maximise councillor involvement in decision making

·         build upon the experience of the Recovery Groups to promote consensual working

·         offer continued financial acumen

·         provide a strong role for scrutiny and governance

·         ensure speed of decision making

·         provide open and accountable democracy

·         make the most of opportunities to work effectively with residents and local partners

The politically balanced working group, led by Corporate Governance, will commence once the current effects of Covid have finished with the aim to report to Council in the 2021/22 Council year with agreed recommendations to be introduced at the Council’s 2022 Annual Meeting.

Recognising that a change from a ‘Leader and Cabinet’ model of governance to a formal Committee System is complex, resource-intensive and undesirable given our circumstances, the Working Group will make recommendations that could be introduced to deliver a ‘best of both worlds’ ‘Hybrid’ model.