Agenda item
REVIEW OF THE CONSTITUTION
The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services), setting out the recommendations of the Constitution Working Party, is attached.
Decision:
In presenting the recommendations of the Constitution Working Party, Councillor Joshua Peck also moved and Councillor Ann Jackson seconded an amendment to the report. This amendment was put to the vote and was agreed.
Councillor Peter Golds moved and Councillor Tim Archer seconded a further amendment to the recommendations. This amendment was put to the vote and was defeated.
DECISION
1. That subject to (a) – (d) below, changes be agreed to the Council’s Constitution as set out in the schedule at Appendix A to the report to take effect immediately with the exception of the proposed changes to the arrangements for petitions, deputations and public questions at the Council meeting, which will take effect at the conclusion of the current meeting;
(a) At paragraph 5.37 of the report - Delete ‘£74,995’ and replace with ‘£65,000’;
(b) At paragraph 5.8 – Add further sentence at the end “It is proposed that Tower Hamlets’ constitution should not provide for the appointment by the Elected Mayor of Councillors to any paid positions (including external bodies) other than those of the Executive (Cabinet) Members”;
(c) Add an additional constitutional provision under the ‘Civic and Ceremonial Duties’ section ‘The former Mayoral Car and Chauffeur will be available only for civic duties and for the sole use of the Chair or Deputy Chair of Council’; and
(d) Appendix A - Amend the relevant sections in accordance with the above.
2. That the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services) be authorised to amend the text of the Constitution as necessary to give effect to the agreed changes.
(Action by: John S. Williams, Service Head, Democratic Services)
Minutes:
Councillor Joshua Peck presented the recommendations of the Constitution Working Party. In doing so, Councillor Peck also MOVED and Councillor Ann Jackson SECONDED a tabled amendment to the report - “That the report of the Constitution Working Party be agreed subject to the following amendments:-
- At paragraph 5.37 - Delete ‘£74,995’ and replace with ‘£65,000’;
- At paragraph 5.8 – Add further sentence at the end “It is proposed that Tower Hamlets’ constitution should not provide for the appointment by the Elected Mayor of Councillors to any paid positions (including external bodies) other than those of the Executive (Cabinet) Members”;
- Add an additional constitutional provision under the ‘Civic and Ceremonial Duties’ section ‘The former Mayoral Car and Chauffeur will be available only for civic duties and for the sole use of the Chair or Deputy Chair of Council’; and
- Amend the relevant sections of Appendix A in accordance with the above.”
After discussion, the amendment moved by Councillor Joshua Peck was put to the vote and was agreed.
Councillor Peter Golds MOVED and Councillor Tim Archer SECONDED a further amendment as follows:-
“That item 5.20; Petitions and Deputations – That a time limit of forty minutes be allowed for petitions and deputations so that a maximum of four petitions and/or deputations may be submitted an heard in front of Full Council;
Item 5.24; Public Participation – general – In the event of a member of the public submitting a question or petition to the Council, having previously submitted one or other to one of the previous two Council meetings, then that question should be placed behind other public questions and petitions that may have been submitted by other members of the public;
Item 5.37; The Mayor’s and members’ Remuneration – That the Elected Mayor’s allowance of £65,000 p.a. be paid with effect from 25th October 2010.”
After further discussion, the amendment moved by Councillor Peter Golds was put to the vote and was defeated.
The substantive motion as amended was then put to the vote and was agreed. Accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED
1. That subject to (a) – (d) below, changes be agreed to the Council’s Constitution as set out in the schedule at Appendix A to the report to take effect immediately with the exception of the proposed changes to the arrangements for petitions, deputations and public questions at the Council meeting, which will take effect at the conclusion of the current meeting;
(a) At paragraph 5.37 of the report - Delete ‘£74,995’ and replace with ‘£65,000’;
(b) At paragraph 5.8 – Add further sentence at the end “It is proposed that Tower Hamlets’ constitution should not provide for the appointment by the Elected Mayor of Councillors to any paid positions (including external bodies) other than those of the Executive (Cabinet) Members”;
(c) Add an additional constitutional provision under the ‘Civic and Ceremonial Duties’ section ‘The former Mayoral Car and Chauffeur will be available only for civic duties and for the sole use of the Chair or Deputy Chair of Council’; and
(d) Appendix A - Amend the relevant sections in accordance with the above.
2. That the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal Services) be authorised to amend the text of the Constitution as necessary to give effect to the agreed changes.
Supporting documents: