Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

To authorise the Chair to sign the minutes of the previous meeting(s) of the Committee as a correct record.

·        Minutes 07-02-2020

The Chair was authorised to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 7 February 2020 as a correct record.

To receive and consider declarations of interests from Members relating to items to be considered on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

County Councillor L Corfield joined the meeting.

To consider the report from the Solicitor to the Council.

1 Speaking at Council meetings

The Monitoring Officer advised that this issue had previously been considered by the Committee but the agreed changes to the Constitution had not been implemented and therefore it was appropriate to reconsider the issues.

County Councillor M Weale joined the meeting.

The Committee debated the issue of Council agendas, speakers, management of meetings and amendments to motions.  Comment was made on the time allocated to those proposing and seconding motions and whether this could be reduced.  Comments was also made on the difficulty in responding to amendments to motions submitted during a meeting.

It was moved and duly seconded to recommend to Council:

i)             to reduce the speaking time for proposers and seconders of motions from 10 minutes and 5 minutes respectively to 5 minutes and 2 minutes respectively and

ii)            that amendments to motions should be submitted three days prior to a meeting rather than 5pm the day before the meeting

and that these changes be trialled at three Council meetings [excluding the annual meeting].

In response to comments the Monitoring Officer advised that when an amendment is submitted officers should consider the financial and other consequences of the amendment and this information should be shared with all members.  It was noted that Groups would need to ensure that their meetings are scheduled to enable them to consider the submission of amendments within the required timescale. 

In response to a question regarding the start time of Council meetings, the Monitoring Officer advised that this was for the Chair to decide.  As meetings were now being held online, the Chair may consider an earlier start time.

2. Amendments to the Constitution

The Committee considered the proposed amendments to the Constitution.  It was moved and duly seconded to recommend the changes to the Constitution as recommended by officers.

3. Review of Senior Salaries

The Committee noted the report and that as the Democratic Services Committee [DSC] Chair was not in receipt of a Senior Salary they could participate in the Senior Salaries Working Group.

It was moved and duly seconded to appoint members to the Senior Salaries Working Group.

4. Welsh Language Forum

The Committee considered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.