Issue - meetings

Review of what public participation should like for the future in terms of Council and Committee Meetings.

The Committee received a report detailing a review of what public participation should look like for the future in terms of Council and Committee Meetings.

The Committee received a verbal introduction from the Chief Legal Officer.

The following matters were raised by the Committee:

a)            Wording of Recommendation: Members raised concerns regarding the lack of clarity surrounding the wording of Recommendation 1A. It was noted that any discrepancies with its intended meaning may be clarified with some additional wording as suggested by the Officer.

An amendment to Recommendation 1A was proposed by Councillor Eber Kington, and seconded by Councillor Hannah Dalton. This was to read:

(a)  Not to change Standing Order CPR1.1 in line with the reasons set out within paragraph 2.10 of the report;

This amendment was agreed unanimously.

An amendment to Recommendation 4 was proposed by the Monitoring Officer. This was to read:

(4)      Agreed the Committee’s Working Group be set up and to extend an invitation to all Members in seeking a further nomination for a Member of the Standards Committee who falls within the skillset as set out in paragraph 2B and one other Member.

This amendment was agreed unanimously.

Following consideration, it was resolved unanimously that the Committee:

(1)      Agreed to note the recommendation of the Committee’s Working Group:

(a)   Not to change Standing Order CPR1.1 in line with the reasons set out within paragraph 2.10 of the report;

(b)   To recommend a review of the role of public participation within the Council’s Standing Orders;

(c)   To consider how public participation within the Standing Orders processes can be made more accessible and inclusive.

(2)      Agreed for a Working Group to be set up to carry out a review of public participation Standing Orders and to make recommendations on any changes;

(3)      Agreed the terms of reference for the Working Group, set out at Appendix 1;

(4)      Agreed the Committee’s Working Group be set up and to extend an invitation to all Members in seeking a further nomination for a Member of the Standards Committee who falls within the skillset as set out in paragraph 2B and one other Member.