Decision details

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive which set out proposals and options for taking forward new governance arrangements for the Council following the conclusion of the governance review. It was proposed that the Council move to a Leader and Cabinet system of governance, properly shaped and designed to meet the Council’s needs and reflective of our local circumstances. This proposal had been endorsed by the Councillors’ Commission who considered governance arrangements at their meeting held on 28 April 2021. It was suggested that a small working party of members be appointed to formulate the details of the new governance model for consideration and approval by Full Council at its meeting in December 2021, with the new system of working to be implemented with effect from May 2022.

 AGREED (with 31 votes for, 3 against and 1 abstention) that the Council:

(a)           resolve to adopt a Leader and Cabinet style of governance, with implementation to take effect from May 2022; and

(b)          appoint a small working group of Members, tasked with formulating the detail of how the new governance arrangements should operate, with the aim of reporting back to Full Council on 14 December 2021, for its consideration and approval. The Working Group to comprise of:

Leader of the Council;

Deputy Leader of the Council;

Chairman of the Councillors’ Commission;

Leader or representative of the Main Opposition Group; and

Two further representatives from the Majority Group.