Decision details

Local Government Reorganisation - Government Decision

Part 4 –(4) Cabinet Procedure Rules section 7.6 of the Constitution states that The Leader may put on the agenda of any Cabinet meeting any matter that they wish, whether or not authority has been delegated to Cabinet, a Cabinet Committee or any Cabinet Member or Officer in respect of that matter. The Proper Officer will comply with the Leader’s requests in this respect.

Decision

That Cabinet:  

1.    Delegate authority to the Director of Law and Governance to urgently obtain independent specialist legal advice on the Government’s decision and the process by which it was reached.

2.    Delegate authority to the Leader of the Council, in consultation with the Chief Executive, to seek from Government the reasons, evidence, comparative assessment and consultation analysis underpinning its decision.

3.    Delegate authority to the Leader, in consultation with the Chief Executive, to engage with affected local authorities, Members of Parliament and other relevant stakeholders regarding the Government’s decision and any shared concerns arising from it.

4.    Request that as soon as feasible following receipt of independent specialist legal advice, the Director of Law and Governance reports back to Cabinet on the options available to the Council in respect of challenging the Governments decision on Local Government Reorganisation.