Agenda and minutes
PDF 129 KBVenue: Witham Room - Council Offices, St. Peter's Hill, Grantham. NG31 6PZ
Contact: Lucy Bonshor
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Apologies
Minutes: An apology for absence was received from Councillor Brenda Sumner. |
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Disclosure of interests
Members are asked to disclose any interests in matters for consideration at the meeting. Minutes: None disclosed. |
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Minutes of meeting held on 22nd May 2017
(Enclosure) Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 22nd May were agreed as a correct record. |
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Amendments to the Constitution
· Voting System – Report LDS215 from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Business Transformation and Commissioning including Governance (Enclosure)
· Attendance at Cabinet Meetings – Report LDS221 from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Business Transformation and Commissioning including Governance (Enclosure)
Additional documents: Minutes: Voting System
Decision:
The Constitution Committee recommends to Council that the Constitution is amended at Article 4.13.3 to change the voting system in full Council meetings from the use of the electronic voting system to a show of hands by deleting Article 4.13.3 (i) and (ii) and inserting as a new Article 4.13.3:
Unless otherwise provided by law or in these procedure rules, the vote on any motion or amendment proposed at any meeting of the full Council shall be taken by means of a show of hands, for, against and abstentions. Where a physical restriction prevents any Member from making a show of hands, on notifying the Chairman of that restriction that Member may vote by voice. An electronic voting system will remain available for all other committees of Council to use in the Council Chamber if required. It will be for each committee of the Council to determine the voting system to be used.
Report LDS215 circulated to Members proposed a change to how votes were taken at Council meetings. Since the Constitution had been introduced the Council had determined that voting would be by means of the electronic voting system when meetings were held in the Council Chamber and the electronic voting system was in operation. Where meetings were held elsewhere or the electronic voting system was out of operation votes were taken by a show of hands and this tended to be how most Councils voted elsewhere in the Country. It was proposed that voting at Council meetings would be by a show of hands which would show transparency in the democratic process to any member of the public attending. The electronic voting system would remain available for use by other committees who used the Council Chamber as a meeting room.
An informal discussion had taken place with the Leaders of the other Groups about the proposed change where all Leaders present had suggested their support.
A discussion followed with Members expressing their view on the proposal. One Member asked why the change was taking place and how abstentions would be recorded. Transparency of the democratic process to members of the public in attendance at Council meetings was the major factor in the proposed change. . Further questions were raised about the party whip and recorded votes. The party whip was referred to in respect of the function of overview and scrutiny Committee and the proposal did not affect the procedure for recorded votes. The accuracy of the voting system was referenced and it was stressed that there was no suggestion that the voting system was inaccurate in any respect. The Member who had proposed the recommendation was happy for abstentions to be included within the recommendation. The substantive proposal to include abstentions was seconded and agreed and the amended recommendation on being put to the vote was agreed.
Attendance at Cabinet Meetings
Decision:
The Constitution Committee recommends to Council that the Constitution is amended at Article 8.5.7 and 8.6.2 to allow any Member ... view the full minutes text for item 25. |
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Close of Meeting
Minutes: The meeting closed at 5.55pm. |