Issue - meetings

The Scrutiny Research Officer presented the report which detailed the

proposed annual changes to the Constitution for the 2023/24 municipal year.

Members were asked to note that the proposed changes were fairly minimal, which was to be expected in the run up to the District Council Elections in May 2023.  The table contained in the report, highlighted the main changes for 2023/24 including any textual amendments and updates to officer titles as

required.

Since publication of the agenda, a further change had been added to the list in respect of Council Procedure Rule 14 (Motions on Notice).  It was intended that reference would be made to the new Motion Proforma that would be required to be completed by any Member wishing to submit a motion. In addition, it would now be a requirement for the mover to obtain and include on the Proforma document, any potential financial implications for their motion should it be subsequently approved.

During the discussion particularly around the unnecessary length of text in recent motions and a possible return to more succinct motions minus any preambles, it was suggested that should such a change be made, movers of motions should be given more time to present their motions rather than just the 5 minutes as currently prescribed.

RESOLVED

that the proposed changes to the 2023/24 Council Constitution as

outlined in the report and during presentation at the meeting, be endorsed and submitted to Council for approval subject to the incorporation of an extended speech time for movers of motions only.