Agenda item

The Lord Mayor introduced this item relating to the establishment of Scrutiny Committees. She reminded members to follow the rules of debate, particularly in terms of timing of speeches and good conduct during debate.

 

Moved by Councillor Deepak Bajaj and seconded by Councillor Patrick Kitterick:

 

That Council be recommended to consider proposals submitted on behalf of the Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Green Group Members which are as follows:

 

a)     Agree the establishment of seven Scrutiny Commissions divided into the subject themes as per Appendix A of the report

 

b)     Agree the overall size of those Committees in accordance with the table in Appendix A

 

c)      Agree that the Chairs and Vice-Chairs (as appropriate) of the bodies listed in Appendix A be appointed according to the Council’s overall political balance (57% Labour; 31% Conservative; 6% Liberal Democrat; 6% Green)

 

d)     Agree that the Overview, Executive Office and Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee and the Neighbourhoods, Equalities, Heritage & Culture Scrutiny Commission comprise two Vice Chairs each

 

e)     Note that the remaining places will be filled in accordance with relevant legal procedures and in consultation with the relevant Members, but broadly in line with the political balance indicated in the table in Appendix A

 

f)       Note that the Terms of Reference for the Scrutiny Commissions be finalised, where needed, at the Council meeting on 6^th July 2023

 

g)     Note that any other matters regarding the establishment of the Council’s Committee’s not addressed above be deferred to the Council meeting on 6^th July 2023.

 

AMENDMENT

 

Moved by Councillor Elaine Halford and seconded by Councillor Elaine Pantling:

 

Council are recommended to:

 

a)     Agree the establishment of seven Scrutiny Commissions divided into the subject themes as  Appendix A attached set out overleaf in Appendix B (and attached to these minutes). 

 

b)     Agree the overall size of each of those Committees to be 8.in accordance with the table in Appendix A attached

 

c)      Agree that the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the bodies listed in the amended Scrutiny structure be appointed as per the details overleaf (and attached to these minutes).Appendix A be apportioned according to the Council’s overall political balance (57% Labour; 31% Conservative; 6% Liberal Democrat; 6% Green)

 

d)     Agree that all scrutiny commissions have one Vice Chair. the Overview, Executive Office and Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee and the Neighbourhoods, Equalities, Heritage & Culture Scrutiny Commission comprise two Vice Chairs each.

 

e)     Note that the remaining places will be filled in accordance with relevant legal procedures and in consultation with the relevant Members, but broadly in line with the political balance requirements. indicated in the table in Appendix A

 

f)       Note that the Terms of Reference for the Scrutiny Commissions be finalised, where needed, at the Council meeting on 6^th July 2023

 

g)     Note that any other matters regarding the establishment of the Council’s Committees not addressed above be deferred to the Council meeting on 6^th July 2023

 

Council adjourned for 15 minutes to consider the amendment proposal.

 

Following the debate, the Lord Mayor put the amendment to a vote.

 

The Lord Mayor declared that the amendment was carried.

 

AMENDMENT

 

Moved by Councillor Patrick Kitterick and seconded by Councillor Nigel Porter:

 

That the overall size of each Scrutiny Committee be 8, with the exception of the Overview Select Committee which shall comprise 11 members.

 

Following the debate, the Lord Mayor put the amendment to a vote.

 

The Lord Mayor declared that the amendment was lost.

 

AMENDMENT

 

Moved by Councillor Porter and seconded by Councillor Deepak Bajaj:

 

That a City Mayor’s questions board be established where the City Mayor and Executive team were present for an hour prior to Overview Select Committee meetings to answer questions from residents and members.

 

The City Mayor confirmed he was happy to look into how this could work best and undertook to develop some proposals. Therefore, Councillor Porter agreed to withdraw his amendment.

 

Following a debate, the Lord Mayor put the original, amended motion to a vote.

 

Council are recommended to:

 

a)     Agree the establishment of seven Scrutiny Commissions divided into the subject themes as set out overleaf in Appendix B (and attached to these minutes). 

 

b)     Agree the overall size of each of those Committees to be 8.

 

c)      Agree that the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the bodies listed in the amended Scrutiny structure be appointed as per the details overleaf (and attached to these minutes).

 

d)     Agree that all scrutiny commissions have one Vice Chair.

 

e)     Note that the remaining places will be filled in accordance with relevant legal procedures and in consultation with the relevant Members, but broadly in line with the political balance requirements.

 

f)       Note that the Terms of Reference for the Scrutiny Commissions be finalised, where needed, at the Council meeting on 6^th July 2023

 

g)     Note that any other matters regarding the establishment of the Council’s Committees not addressed above be deferred to the Council meeting on 6^th July 2023

 

The Lord Mayor declared that the original, amended motion was carried.