To consider the attached report of the Director of Governance.

The Director of Governance presented the Review of the Constitution 2018 – Council Questions and Answers.

It was moved by Councillor P G Heath, duly seconded by Councillor M R Eddy and

RESOLVED: (a)   That Council Procedure Rule 12 of the Constitution of the Council be amended to include the addition of a new rule 12.5 as follows:

                               “12.5 A Member raising a question under Council Procedure Rule 12.1 will be provided at the closure of the Council meeting with the written information prepared by officers as background to the relevant member of the executive’s verbal answer to the question. This written information will be made available to all other Members of the Council alongside the following week’s edition of the Members’ Weekly News.”

                        (b)   That it be agreed the amendment take place with immediate effect so as to enable its application at the meeting of the full Council to be held on 31 October 2018.

To consider the attached report of the Director of Governance.

The Director of Governance presented the report to the Committee. Members were reminded that the Governance Committee, at the request of Councillor M R Eddy at its meeting held on 28 June 2018, had recommended to the full Council a proposal to amend Council Procedure Rule 12 to make provision for written answers to questions asked on notice by Members at meetings of the full Council. The proposal was not adopted by the full Council at its meeting on 25 July 2018 due to concerns over its wording. The Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Opposition explored options for alternative wording which would achieve the intended aim.

RESOLVED:     (a)     That it be recommended to the Council that it amend Council Procedure Rule 12 of the Constitution of the Council to include the addition of a new rule 12.5 as follows:

“12.5      A Member raising a question under Council Procedure Rule 12.1 will be provided at the closure of the Council meeting with the written information prepared by officers as background to the relevant member of the executive’s verbal answer to the question. This written information will be made available to all other Members of the Council alongside the following week’s edition of the Members’ Weekly News.”

(b)     That it be recommended to the Council that the amendment take place with immediate effect so as to enable it application at the meeting of the full Council to be held on 31 October 2018.