Democratic Services Committee

The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.

1. 1

   Apologies for Absence

   Minute

   Apologies for absence were received from County Councillors G Breeze, L Brighouse and P Lewis.

2. 2

   Minutes of Previous Meeting

   Minute

   The Chair was authorised to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 5 September 2022 as a correct record.

   Papers: Minutes , 05/09/2022 Democratic Services Committee
3. 3

   Declarations of Interest

   Minute

   There were no declarations of interest.

4. 4

   Constitution - Section 4 - Speaking on Motions

   Minute

   The Committee considered the issues of speaking on Motions which was referred back to it for further consideration by Full Council at its meeting on 13th October 2022. The Council had trialled five minutes for proposers and everyone else two minutes for some time and the Committee noted that concerns were expressed at the Full Council meeting that two minutes was not long enough to allow for debate. It was suggested that as a compromise that five minutes for proposers and three minutes for everyone else would be appropriate. The Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer advised that the Chair always had a discretion to be lenient with the times allowed. It was moved and duly seconded to recommend to Full Council to amend the speaking times in relation to motions to five minutes for proposers and everyone else three minutes on a permanent basis. Recommendation to Full Council: Reason for Recommendation: 1. To amend the speaking times in relation to motions to five minutes for proposers and three minutes for everyone else on a permanent basis. To revise the speaking time for motions in Section 4 of the constitution following the trial agreed by Council in November 2020. The Chair advised that this would be raised at the next Group Leaders meeting. The Committee was advised that the recommendation will be considered by Full Council at the start of the next meeting on 23 February 2023, so that if it is agreed the new times can be implemented immediately.

   Part of an issue followed across 5 meetings

   Papers: Appendix 1 2022-10-13 Report to Council - Speaking on Motions, 2023-01-09 Report to DSC - Speaking on Motions

Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.

Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.

• Breeze, Graham, Vice-ChairPowys IndependentsSent apologies
• Bebb, Danny, Committee MemberLiberal DemocratPresent
• Brighouse, Little, Committee MemberNo party recordedSent apologies
• Davies, Angela, Committee MemberLiberal DemocratPresent
• Harrison, Ian, Committee MemberConservativePresent
• Healy, Kelly, Committee MemberLiberal DemocratPresent
• Lewington, Pete, Committee MemberConservativePresent
• Lewis, Peter, Committee MemberConservativeSent apologies