Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor.

This item was withdrawn.

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor.

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor I Moran)

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Solicitor as contained on pages 181 to 191 of the Book of Reports, to review the current 'Public Speaking – Protocol' for meetings of Cabinet, Overview & Scrutiny Committees, Audit & Governance Committee and Standards Committee (Constitution 14.1 – the "Protocol") to consider proposals for change recommended by the Corporate and Environmental Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 11 July 2019.  The report had previously been considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 10 September 2019.

In discussion, the recommendations as set out in paragraph 6 of the report were supported, although a Member suggested that the start time of Council remain at 7.30pm to establish the demand of future public speaking requests.  It was also felt that the addition of public speaking to Council meetings could give rise to significant additional activity.

RESOLVED:   A.      That the number of requests to speak, listed in paragraph 5 of the report, under the current 'Public Speaking' – Protocol' for meetings of Cabinet, Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Audit & Governance Committee and Standards Committee (Constitution 14.1 – the "Protocol"), be noted.

B.      That the following agreed comments to Council be

1)    Include reference to Parish Council

2)    Provide for a resident to be represented by a Borough Councillor

3)    Provide for written representations to be considered without the need for the resident to attend.

4)    Extend the public speaking to Council meetings and the meeting to commence at an earlier start time of 7.00pm in order to accommodate.

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillor I Moran)

The Leader introduced the report of the Borough Solicitor which reviewed the current ‘Public Speaking – Protocol’ for public meetings of Cabinet, Overview & Scrutiny Committees, Audit & Governance Committee and Standards Committee and outlined proposals for change recommended by the Corporate & Environmental Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 11 July 2019.

A motion from the Leader was circulated at the meeting.

In reaching the decision below, Cabinet considered the motion from the Leader and the details as set out in the report before it and accepted the reasons contained therein.

RESOLVED  A.        That the number of requests to speak, listed in paragraph 5 of the report, under the current 'Public Speaking – Protocol' for meetings of Cabinet, Overview & Scrutiny Committees, Audit & Governance Committee and Standards Committee (Constitution 14.1 – the "Protocol"), be noted.

                        B.        That the agreed comments to Council be that the recommendations of the Corporate & Environmental Overview and Scrutiny Committee as set down at paragraph 6 of the report be supported.