Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: June 26, 2025

Purpose:

Content: Resolved –   (1)  That it be recommended to Council that the proposed amendments to Council Standing Orders as set out in Appendix 1 be adopted, subject to the following amendments:   a)    Report by the Leader of the Council (Standing Order 11A):                              i.        Standing Order 11A.1 - to add in the additional words in italics to the proposed amendment so reads “At least one hour before the published start time of each ordinary meeting of Council…”                             ii.        Standing Order 11A.3.3 - to amend the proposed amendment so that where a reply cannot be given orally a written answer is provided within twenty working days.   b)   Member Question Time (Standing Order 12):                              i.        Standing Order 12.2- the proposal to limit each Member to one written question per ordinary Council meeting was not approved.                             ii.        Standing Order 12.4 -to add in the additional words in italics so reads “The Lord Mayor, or at the request of the Lord Mayor the Director of Legal and Governance may rule that a question shall not be put if s/he considers it is in breach of this Standing Order.                           iii.        Standing Order 12.5.1- to amend the time frame for delivery of written questions from seven working days before the meeting to eight working days.                           iv.        Standing Order 12.13.3- to amend the proposed amendment so that where a reply cannot be given orally a written answer is circulated within twenty working days.   c)    Extraordinary Meetings (Standing Order 6):                              i.        Standing Order 6.1.1 and 6.1.2 -to add in additional words in italics so reads “6.1.1 The Lord Mayor or 6.1.2 the Chief Executive or Chief Finance Officer or Monitoring Officer or     d)    Motions, Amendments to Motions and Recommendations timetable (Standing Orders 17, 18 and 16): i)             That the proposed amendments in Standing Orders 16.3,17.1 and 18.4 be recommended to Council to consider at its Annual Meeting in May 2026 contingent upon Council meetings for the Municipal Year 26/27 being held on a Thursday rather than a Tuesday and with the proposed eight working days being amended to nine working days in Standing Order 17.1.   e)    Speeches of Members (Standing Order 22): i)     The proposal to amend in Standing Order 22.1 the time allowed from 10 minutes to 5 and 5 minutes to 3 (other than at Budget Council) was not approved.    (2)  That it be recommended to Council that the proposed amendments to the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules as set out in Appendix 2 be adopted, subject to the following amendment:   (a)          Paragraph 8.6.1- to add in the additional words in italics so reads “A decision may, no later than 17.00hrs (16.30 hrs on a Friday) on the fifth working day following publication under paragraph 8.1 be called-in by the Chair of any Overview and Scrutiny Committee or any three voting members of any Overview and Scrutiny Committee (excluding voting alternate members).      (3) That all Elected Members familiarise themselves with Standing Orders 12.4     and 12.11.   (4) That Standing Order 12.4 is adhered to more closely and that the Director of Legal and Governance keeps under review the management of member questions to Executive members with a view to reporting back to Governance and Audit Committee before the annual meeting of Council in May 2026.    (5) That the Director of Legal and Governance will consider the practicalities of written answers to questions under Standing Order 12.14 (the additional questions not included on the Council agenda) being published as soon as each answer is available.   (6)  That the Director of Legal and Governance amend Appendices 1 and 2 to reflect Governance and Audit Committee’s proposed amendments for Full Council’s consideration.   (7) That the Director of Legal and Governance consider making the Constitution gender neutral, commencing with Council Standing Orders.   (8)  That the Director of Legal and Governance be granted delegated authority to make consequential amendments to the Constitution as a result of any recommendations approved by Full Council.   (To be actioned by: Director, Legal and Governance)   (Jason Field - 07890 416571)