Agenda and minutes

Notification of substitute members were recorded as set out below:

Cllr A Clark – substitute for Cllr Cope

Cllr D Davis – substitute for Cllr Brown

Cllr D Harman – substitute for Cllr Base

Cllr B Luker – substitute for Cllr J Sergison (Chairman)

Cllr M Hood – substitute for Cllr N Stapleton

In accordance with Council Procedure Rules 17.5 to 17.9 these Councillors had the same rights as the ordinary member of the committee for whom they were substituting.

Members in any doubt about such declarations are advised to contact Legal or Democratic Services in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

This Decision (attached at Annex 1) has been called in.  In accordance with “Call In” Procedure, three members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee have raised a valid “Call In” request in relation to this Decision.

The report of the Scrutiny Officer advised that in accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules set out in the Constitution, three members of the Committee had raised a valid ‘call-in’ request in relation to the decision taken by the Leader of the Council on changes to executive arrangements.

Decision Notice D220046CAB (attached at Annex 1) had been published on 28 April 2022 and subsequently called-in by Councillors Oakley, Hoskins and Thornewell.

The grounds for call-in were set out in the report, at paragraph 1.1.2, and the decision was ‘deferred’ pending consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Members of the Committee considered the grounds for the call-in and had regard to the responses provided by the Leader of the Council.  There was detailed discussion on the merits of the proposals and the concerns raised around changes to the call-in process, agenda setting and identifying items of business.  In addition, concern was expressed about the risk of disenfranchising back bench councillors and removing their ability to influence decision makers.  The Leader indicated that the introduction of scrutiny select committees would improve and enhance effective scrutiny of decisions. 

It was proposed by Councillor Thornwell and seconded by Councillor Hoskins that the Leader be asked to consider:

(i)     that the number of members required to call in decisions be retained as 3; and

(ii)    that the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee retained powers to call-in decisions

Following a formal vote this proposal was rejected with 11 Members voting against and 7 voting in favour.

It was proposed by Councillor Hudson and seconded by Councillor Harman that there be no further recommendations made to the Leader and that the decision should be implemented as taken.

Following a formal vote this proposal was supported with 12 Members voting in favour, 2 voting against and 2 abstaining.

As the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had no further recommendations to make to the Leader the grounds for call-in were not supported.

RECOMMENDED:  That there were no further recommendations to make to the Leader and the decision would come into immediate effect.  Therefore, the proposals in respect of governance would come into effect from 10 May 2022.

The Chairman to move that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting during consideration of any items the publication of which would disclose exempt information.

There were no items considered in private.