To consider the recommendations from the Constitution and Standards Committee of 28 February 2024 on revisions to the Officer Code of Conduct, Member Officer Protocol, Media Protocol, Financial Procedure Rules, Members Allowance Scheme, Public Questions and Petitions, Minor amendments and Licensing Code of Good Practice.

The first item requiring approval was a referral from Constitution and Standards Committee, to adopt a revised Constitution including revision to the Officer Code of Conduct, Member Officer Protocol, Media Protocol, Financial Procedure Rules, Members Allowance Scheme, Public Questions and Petitions, the Licensing Code of Good Practice. Also included was a recommendation from the Monitoring Officer for minor amendments.

It was moved by Councillor Tony Cox, seconded by Councillor Phil Gilchrist, that the recommendations as detailed in the report be agreed

It was then moved by Councillor Pat Cleary, seconded by Councillor Jo Bird, that,

‘In addition to the recommendations detailed in the report, that a further recommendation 3 be included,

(3) That in respect to Part 3(B) Responsibility for Functions – (B) Committees, an additional paragraph be included as follows - All committees adhere to the requirements of Section 15 (as amended) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 in their composition for political proportionality. In the appointment of Chairs and Vice Chairs, the Council chooses to apply the principle of proportionality so that the number of Chairs and Vice Chairs appointed represents the same proportionality as its council membership.’

Following a number of members talking to the amendment, a number of Members rose to request a recorded vote on the amendment in accordance with Standing Order 17.4 as follows,

For

(14) Councillors Jo Bird, Pat Cleary, Chris Cooke, Harry Gorman, Naomi Graham, Judith Grier, Gail Jenkinson, Ed Lamb, Craig McDonald, Ruth Molyneux, Kieran Murphy, Amanda Onwuemene, Ewan Tomeny and Jason Walsh

Against

(46) Councillors Ann Ainsworth, Colin Baldwin, Paula Basnett, Gary Bennett, Stephen Bennett, Max Booth, Allan Brame, Helen Cameron, Chris Carubia, Tony Cox, Angie Davies, George Davies, Steve Foulkes, Gardener Phil Gilchrist, Jeff Green, Liz Grey, Brenda Hall, Andrew Hodson, Kathy Hodson,  Paul Jobson, Tony Jones, Mary Jordan, Stuart Kelly, Brian Kenny,  Tom Laing, Ian Lewis, Louise Luxon-Kewley, Grahame McManus, Julie McManus, Simon Mountney, Tony Murphy, Cherry Povall, Sue Powell-Wilde, Helen Raymond, Mike Redfern, Lesley Rennie, Jean Robinson, Mark Skillicorn, James Stewart Laing, Kaitlin Stuart, Paul Stuart, Mike Sullivan, Janette Williamson, Jerry Williams, Vida Wilson and Gill Wood.

Abstentions

(1)  Councillor Cherry Povall

As the amendment was lost, the original motion was then put to the vote and was carried (60:0) (1 abstention) it was therefore –

Resolved – that,

(1) the proposed amendments to the Constitution, as detailed in sections 3.2 to 3.15 of the report as recommended by the Constitution and Standards Committee be endorsed.

(2) the revised Constitution be adopted.