Agenda and minutes

To receive any declarations of interest.

None.

Up to a total of fifteen minutes can be allowed, each speaker being allocated  maximum of five minutes, for members of the public to present a petition, ask a question or comment on any matter on the Agenda or within the remit of the Council in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.

None.

For the Council to consider amendments to the Constitution and consequential Member appointments, following the change in the political balance of the Council as a result of the local elections held on 2^nd May 2024.

Notice of Motion 1: Appointment of Leader and Deputy Leader

Proposed by Councillor Denham

Details of the Motion are attached.

Notice of Motion 2: Remit of Sub-Committees

Proposed by Councillor Denham

Details of the Motion are attached.

The Council considered the following Notice of Motion, which had been submitted by Councillor Denham in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8:

Motion 1 - Changes to the Constitution and Appointments of Members: Motion on the Appointment of Leader and Deputy Leader

Introduction

Following the elections on 2 May, the political composition of the Council has changed. This Motion proposes certain amendments to the Constitution and consequential appointments of Members to reflect leadership arrangements which are considered appropriate to the resulting political composition of the Council. The Group Leaders Protocol stipulates that it should be reviewed every time that the political balance of the Council changes.

Amendments

The amendments proposed to the Articles (Part 2) and Group Leaders Protocol (Part 15) are set out in the Appendices to this Motion. In summary the purpose of the amendments is:

(1) To remove the concept of, and all references to, Joint Leaders of the Council and remove related provisions relating to the rights and responsibilities of Joint Leaders;

(2) To ensure that, when there is no overall political control, the Leader of the Council is appointed solely on a basis of a vote of Council, and to remove the qualifying requirement that the Leader should be appointed from the largest Political Group on the Council;

(3) To ensure that, when there is no overall political control, the Deputy Leader of the Council is appointed solely on the basis of a vote of Council and to remove the qualifying requirement that the Deputy Leader should be appointed from the second largest Political Group on the Council;

Therefore, Council agrees that, with immediate effect:

1.     The Articles, Part 2 of the Constitution, be amended in the terms set out in Appendix 1, so as to delete Article 6A. This will have the effect of removing all references to Joint Leaders and reinstating one process for the appointment of the Leader and Deputy Leader, on a simple vote of Council, which applies irrespective of the overall political control of the Council;

2.     The Group Leaders Protocol, Part 15 of the Constitution, be amended in the terms set out in Appendix 2, to remove all of the provisions which relate to Joint Leaders;

3.     The Monitoring Officer is instructed to make any consequential amendments to the Constitution to give effect to these decisions;

4.     The Council now proceed to make the requisite Member appointments in accordance with these new arrangements.

The proposer, Councillor Denham, spoke in support of the Motion. In accordance with the rules set out in the Constitution, Councillor Denham stated that she wished to make an amendment to the Motion by adding the following words:

5.     The Council amends the adopted Members’ Allowance Scheme to reintroduce a reference to the Deputy Leader and to stipulate that the Deputy Leader of the Council receives a special responsibility allowance in the same terms as has been previously applied to this role, that is 2 times the basic Members’ Allowance.

The proposer, Councillor Denham, spoke in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

Consideration of the appointment of Leader(s) had been deferred at the Annual Council meeting. The Council proceeded to consider nominations for the appointment of a Leader, in accordance with the Constitution, as amended by virtue of the decision taken under the preceding item.

It was proposed by Councillor Riaz and seconded by Councillor Scott that Councillor Denham be nominated. Both Councillor Riaz and Councillor Scott spoke in support of the nomination.

There were no further nominations.

On being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED: That the Council agree to elect Councillor Denham as Leader of the Council.

Consideration of the appointment of Leader(s) had been deferred at the Annual Council meeting. The Council proceeded to consider nominations for the appointment of a Deputy Leader, in accordance with the Constitution, as amended by virtue of the decision taken under the preceding item.

It was proposed by Councillor Gregson and seconded by Councillor Sadiq that Councillor Riaz be nominated. Both Councillor Gregson and Councillor Sadiq spoke in support of the nomination.

It was proposed by Councillor Lewing and seconded by Councillor Mace that Councillor Stephen be nominated. Both Councillor Lewing and Councillor Mace spoke in support of the nomination.

Other Councillors spoke on the nominations.

The Mayor then requested the Council to proceed to the vote. Members were advised that they had one vote only, either for Councillor Riaz or for Councillor Stephen.

Upon being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED: That the Council agree to elect Councillor Riaz as Deputy Leader of the Council.

Consideration of this item had been deferred at the Annual Council meeting.

The Council received the report of the Monitoring Officer seeking Council’s approval of the allocation of seats between the political groups for the Municipal Year 2024/25.

It was proposed by Councillor Denham and seconded by Councillor Riaz and on being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED: That the Council agree the allocation of seats between political groups for the Municipal Year 2024/25 as set out in Appendix 1 of the minutes.

Consideration of this item had been deferred at the Annual Council meeting.

The Council received details of nominations from Group Leaders for the appointment of Members to Policy Committees, Regulatory Committees, Joint Committees and Other Bodies. The Council also considered the appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs to those Committees and appointments to a number of outside bodies.

On being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED: That the Council approve the appointment of Members to Policy Committees, Regulatory Committees, Joint Committees and Other Bodies and the appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs, and appointments to Outside Bodies, as set out in Appendix 2 of the minutes.

Worcester City Council – Committee Membership Schedule 2024/25

Policy Committees

Regulatory Committees