Issue - meetings

Report of the Leader of the Council reviewing the current process and criteria for submitting Questions by Members at full Council, attached.

The report of the Leader was submitted seeking approval to a revision of the Constitution relating to Questions at Council

RESOLVED

(i)  That no minor issues be raised unless they have first been addressed to the appropriate officer, followed by the relevant Cabinet Member if the response was unsatisfactory and then only to Full Council if the Cabinet Member’s response remains unsatisfactory, notwithstanding that if a question relates to a major project or significant policy concern then a question to Full Council directly was appropriate; 

(ii)  That the deadline for submission of questions to Full Council be extended by 5 working days earlier than the current submission deadline;

(iii)  That an annual review of the revised process be undertaken with the exploration of other options with Group Leaders for streamlining the process including moving questions to the end of the agenda; and

(iv)  That Council revise the Council procedure Rules (paragraph 11) in the Constitution as appropriate.

Report of the Leader of the Council reviewing the current process and criteria for submitting Questions by Members at full Council, attached.

The Committee considered the report of the Leader of the Council seeking a review of the consistently high number of formally tabled Questions at Council and significant reduction in officer resources to administer and answer them and proposed options on streamlining/reducing the process.

RESOLVED

(i)  That the following proposals be recommended to Council for adoption:-

a)  That no minor issues be raised unless they have first been addressed to the appropriate officer, followed by the relevant Cabinet Member if the response was unsatisfactory and then only to Full Council if the Cabinet Member’s response remains unsatisfactory, notwithstanding that if a question relates to a major project or significant policy concern then a question to Full Council directly was appropriate; 

b)  That the deadline for submission of questions to Full Council be extended by 5 working days earlier than the current submission deadline; and

c)  That an annual review of the revised process be undertaken with the exploration of other options with Group Leaders for streamlining the process including moving questions to the end of the agenda.

(ii)  That Council be recommended to revise the Council procedure Rules (paragraph 11) in the Constitution as appropriate.