Issue - meetings

It was reported that at its meeting in March 2018 Full Council resolved to review the operation of its meetings. It delegated responsibility for that review to the Governance Committee.

Governance Committee was asked to recommend its preferred changes to the council meeting procedure rules, with the final decision resting with all members at a meeting of Full Council.

The report explained that there were few legal or other requirements relating to the conduct and business of Full Council, and so while there are common themes and similar content in Council Procedure Rules across the London Boroughs and within other Principal Councils, the format is largely a matter of local choice for members to decide.

The proposals set out in the report were those of the Administration after considering the views of all the Group Leaders Group Leaders met individually with the Council Leader and the Monitoring Officer to share their thoughts on how meetings of Full Council should operate. There are any number of different ways in which the procedure rules can be altered, it is fair to say there were as many views on options as there are Group Leaders and there was no consensus that any particular aspect be changed.

The proposals aimed to improve the efficient and effective conduct of business transacted at meetings of Full Council within the time available.

In addition to the substantive changes, a number of minor amendments were proposed which sought to simplify the understanding and interpretation of the procedure rules, the result of which will assist in the smooth running of Full Council meetings.

In keeping with the Group Leader meetings, there were a number of contrasting views expressed regarding the proposals and how meetings of Full Council should operate. Some Members considered that meetings of Full Council were “opposition time” and the rules should be tailored to give the opposition a voice and hold the Administration to account. A contrasting view was expressed that Havering’s Procedure Rules were out of keeping with other London boroughs and that the opposition was afforded plenty of opportunity at meetings of Full Council.

A number of amendments to the recommendations were proposed and will be dealt with in turn:

1.    That at each Council meeting, one question be put to the Leader from each of the political groups on Council (Proposed by Councillor Darvill, Seconded by Cllr Morgon). This amendment was lost by 6 votes to 5. Councillors Barrett, Darvill, Durant, Morgon, Mugglestone voted against the resolution.

2.    That meetings of Full Council start at 7:15pm. (Proposed by Councillor Barrett, Seconded by Councillor Morgon). This amendment was lost by 6 votes to 5. Councillors Barrett, Darvill, Durant, Morgon, Mugglestone voted against the resolution.

3.    That the tea break be removed. (Proposed by Councillor Barrett, Seconded by Councillor Morgon). This amendment was lost on the second and casting vote of the Chairman. Councillors Barrett, Darvill, Durant, Morgon, Mugglestone voted against the resolution. Councillor Wise abstained form voting.

4.    That the mover of a motion  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15