Issue - meetings

To consider the report.

Contact: Julie Muscroft, Service Director – Legal, Governance and Commissioning

RESOLVED –

1)    That the changes made to the Constitution in 2023-2024, as listed in Appendix 1, be noted.

2)    That approval be given to the following proposed changes to the Constitution, as set out in section 2 of the report considered by Corporate Governance and Audit Committee:

(i)             That 6.1.1 of Article 6 – Overview and Scrutiny Function, be amended to remove responsibility for Flood Risk Management from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee and re-allocate to the Environment and Climate Change Scrutiny Panel.

(ii)            Amendments to CPR 9 relating to the presentation of petitions and referral of subject matter.

(iii)          Amendments to CPR 9a subject to the replacement of the word “may” with “will” and clarification that where a debate is requested (for petitions exceeding 3000 valid signatures) this will be scheduled within a reasonable time period.

(iv)          Amendments to CPR’s 9 and 10 to make them consistent with CPR 11in respect of the need to be a resident or business owner in Kirklees in order to be able to present a petition or deputation.

(v)           That the proposed amendments in respect of CPR 11(6) be applied to CPR 12 for written questions by the public and Elected Members at Full Council meetings only.

(vi)          That CPR 12(6) be approved subject to the removal of wording “with the consent of the Chair”

(vii)         Amendments to CPR 11(7) subject to the removal of wording “for a period of 12 months”.

3)    That it be noted that, for clarity, proposals relating to Member Speaking Rights (CPR 36(1)), Permission to Speak by Members of the Public (CPR 37), Video requests for deputations (CPR10) and the wider application of the proposals set out in (2v) above to Cabinet and Council Committees will be subject to further consideration following a future review.

4)    That work will continue to keep the Constitution under review.

5)    That authority be delegated to the Service Director – Legal, Governance and Commissioning to make any appropriate amendments to the Constitution, as well as any consequential amendments to the Constitution to reflect the agreed changes.

6)    That Council Procedure Rule 11 be amended to include the wording that ‘Amendments to Motions will be circulated to all Members of the Council by 5.00pm on the day before the Council Meeting’.