Agenda item

To consider and discuss the recent changes in the Cabinet, such consideration and discussion to include:

(a)    receiving statements from the previous Cabinet members and a report from the          Leader;

(b)    asking questions arising from such statements and report;

(c)    debating the changes and the statements, report and answers received; and

(d)    considering and voting on any motions moved and seconded during the course of

the debate.

The Chairman invited the Leader of the Council to provide a report regarding recent changes to the Cabinet.

The Leader stated that:

·         The District Council had come a long way since he was first elected to it in 2007. It had gone from a Committee to a Cabinet system of governance.

·         A number of exciting projects had begun under the previous administration prior to the 2019 election and were on-going. Many of these required continued funding and the co-operation of partner agencies was key to this. In bringing an amendment to the decision regarding GESP he had wanted to send out a signal that Mid Devon District Council was willing to work with other local authorities for the good of all residents of Mid Devon. He had felt that this was critical to the delivery of future strategic projects within the district and that the stance taken by the Liberal Democrat Cabinet Members regarding GESP had been untenable.

·         On 14^th August he had met with the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Conservative Group to understand the views of the Conservative group.

·         Following the vote at full Council on 26 August he had decided to replace the Liberal Democrat Cabinet Members with experienced Members from the Conservative Group. He considered that this change had in no way diminished the expertise of the Cabinet and was the best result for the Council.

·         Under the present constitutional arrangements the Leader had the power to establish and change his Cabinet as he or she saw fit. There was a Governance Working Group in operation looking at alternative systems of governance and the public would be consulted on this. A recommendation would be brought before Council in Spring 2021.

·         His actions had solely been carried out with the best interests of Mid Devon residents in mind.

In response to the questions asked by the Members of the public the Leader provided the following answers given in the order in which the questions had been asked:

·         Certain Members of the Conservative Group had previously served on the Cabinet and as a result of their considerable expertise he had had no hesitation in appointing them to the Cabinet.

·         He reiterated the point that the Leader had full control over who was in his or her Cabinet.

·         It was not his intention to re-join the Conservative party having been asked to leave it some years ago and then standing as an Independent candidate which he would continue to do.

·         He recognised that everybody had their own view but it had not been tenable to continue to work with the previous Liberal Democrat Members of the Cabinet.

·         Progress was being made with the Governance Working Group and the public would be consulted and listened to.

·         He was not seeking to be confrontational during this challenging time but instead wanted the Council to be seen as being able to work collaboratively with other local authorities.

·         He stated that he did not have a vested interested in keeping GESP going as he was only elected Leader of the (Leaders) Group after the Council’s decision.

·         He understood the Conservative Group decision to vote against his election to the Leader role in May 2019 being entirely justified at the time given that they wanted to elect their own Leader.

·         He confirmed that only Liberal Democrat Cabinet Members had been affected by his decision to change the membership due to an insurmountable difference of opinion. This had not been planned well in advance but as a result of the GESP issue.

·         The Government White Paper would present issues for every single Ward Member given that it wanted the number of new houses provided to be significantly higher. Difficult decisions would need to be taken by all Members for the benefit of the whole of Mid Devon not just individual wards.

·         The current system of governance was not in his opinion an ‘abuse pf power’. The system had been in existence for the last 12 years and the Working Group would provide sound reasons for any recommendations it would make for change. 

·         He had issued a press release following his decision to change the membership of the Cabinet but said that he should have perhaps been more explicit and less polite about what had happened in reference to ‘sackings’.

·         The future of GESP was not a matter for detailed discussion at this meeting.

·         Regarding the 7:1 Cabinet vote, he explained that it had been the whole of the Liberal Democrat Group that had objected to his amendment

Cllr B Evans had also been asked several questions in Public Question Time and provided the following responses:

·         The meeting he had had with the Chief Executive and the Leader on 14 August had not included a conversation about the removal of any Cabinet Members. The meeting had been called to understand the views of the Conservative Group but at that stage he could not say as he had not spoken to his Group about it.

·         It was indeed correct that the Conservative Group had opposed the appointment of Cllr Deed as Leader in May 2019. They had wanted to elect the Conservative Group Leader as Leader of the Council but that vote had been lost and as a Group they had moved into the opposition position.

The Chairman then invited a representative from the 4 Liberal Democrat Members who had previously held Cabinet positions to make a statement.

Cllr L D Taylor stated that:

·         He was surprised to hear it had been a predetermined vote on GESP.

·         He had considered that the Cabinet should seek to be in agreement over significant decisions.

·         In May 2019 Members had put their trust in the new Cabinet and it had subsequently been exciting to welcome a member of the Green Party to the Cabinet. It was agreed that discussions were not always straightforward given differing political views.

·         There had been some serious concerns regarding GESP within the Liberal Democrat Group and it was concerning to hear that plans appeared to be continuing. It was also concerning that the Leader put forward his own Motion against the views of his Cabinet. Do we assume the new Cabinet is in favour of GESP?

·         The 4 Cabinet Members who had been removed had enjoyed their experiences on the Cabinet and had established good working relationships with officers always with the intention of serving the people of Mid Devon.

The discussion touched upon:

·         Perceived unilateral decision making and unchecked governance arrangements.

·         The need for balanced representation.

·         The benefits of a ‘Rainbow Cabinet’ and attempts to find common ground in the interests of democracy.

·         The bigger issues facing us such as ‘Climate Change’.

·         Agreement that the system should work for the people and not the other way round.

·         The need for transparency across political divides.

·         Building connections and maintaining trust was vital.

Cllr L D Taylor MOVED seconded by Cllr A Wilce:

THAT Procedure Rule 14.2 be suspended to allow further discussion.

Upon a vote being taken the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.

Following debate:

Cllr L D Taylor further MOVED seconded by Cllr A Wilce:

THAT a MOTION of no confidence in the Leader be approved.

The Chairman MOVED that in accordance with Procedure Rule 19.4:

“The vote in respect of the MOTION be by ROLL CALL”

A roll call of the Members present at the meeting was then taken.

Those voting FOR the MOTION: Councillors G Barnell, J Cairney, S J Clist, L Cruwys, J M Downes, B Holdman, F W Letch, Miss J Norton, L D Taylor, A White, A Wilce, J Wright and A Wyer.

Those voting AGAINST the MOTION: Councillors Mrs E M Andrews, E J Berry, W Burke, R J Chesterton, Mrs C A Collis, Mrs F J Colthorpe, D R Coren, N V Davey, Mrs C P Daw, R M Deed, R J Dolley, R Evans, T G Hughes, D J Knowles, B A Moore, R F Radford, C Slade, Mrs M E Squires and R L Stanley. 

Those ABSTAINING from voting: Councillors C J Eginton, D F Pugsley, Ms E J Wainwright, B G J Warren and Mrs N Woollatt.

Upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have FAILED.