Issue - meetings

This report presents the results of the public consultation on changes to the Council’s executive arrangements and seeks a recommendation from the Executive to Council in respect of the new arrangements, which the Council must adopt.

RECOMMENDED:(i) That Council propose to adopt the Leader and Cabinet model.

(ii)That the timetable should be as set out in Annex 2 to the report.

(iii)That Council not instigate a referendum.

(iv)That Council make provision in the Constitution for removal of the Leader during his or her term of office and adopt the transitional arrangements set out in Annex 2.

REASON:                  In accordance with legal obligations.

Members considered a report which presented the results of public consultation on changes to the Council’s executive arrangements and sought a recommendation to full Council in respect of the new arrangements.

Details of the requirement to consult under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act had been reported to the Executive meeting on 6 July 2010.  The consultation, carried out between 16 July and 1 September, had resulted in 52 on-line responses and one letter.  33 people had responded in support of a Leader and Cabinet Executive and 18 in support of an elected Mayor and Cabinet.  Two had not formally expressed a preference.  Details of the responses were provided in Annex 1 to the report.

The next stage was for Council to agree and publish its draft proposals.  It must then formally resolve, at a special meeting, to change its governance arrangements.  Draft proposals were presented in Annex 2, together with a timetable for implementation and transitional arrangements to cover the period between the local elections in May 2011 and the Annual Council meeting.  It was noted that these arrangements must proceed, in accordance with existing legislation, despite the fact that the law was about to change.

Having noted the comments of the Labour Group Spokespersons on this item, it was

RECOMMENDED:(i) That Council propose to adopt the Leader and Cabinet model.

(ii)That the timetable should be as set out in Annex 2 to the report.

(iii)That Council not instigate a referendum.

(iv)That Council make provision in the Constitution for removal of the Leader during his or her term of office and adopt the transitional arrangements set out in Annex 2.

REASON:                  In accordance with legal obligations.