(1) Motion 541 (Councillor Mrs J Roach - 30 November 2017)
The following motion had been referred to the Standards Committee for consideration and report:
This Council reconsiders the time and times that it allows ward members to speak at the planning committee. The present system gives many opportunities to speak but allows the local member only one opportunity. At the very least Council should give elected Councillors the opportunity to correct incorrect statements, something that exists within standing orders but not allowed at the planning committee. At the last planning committee the situation that exists at the moment prevented me as the elected Councillor for Silverton for pointing out that the Highways advice was inconsistent with previous advice given on the same site.
The Standards Committee at its meeting on 14 March 2018 considered the Motion and recommended that it not be supported as the matters raised within the Motion had been adequately covered and surpassed by a recommendation to the Planning Committee.
(2) Motion 545 (Councillor L Taylor – 10 April 2018)
The Council has before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:
That this Council considers the use of British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) stickers on all Mid Devon grass cutting machinery, requesting that all users check the area to be cut before using the equipment. The stickers are free and are being used by other Councils such as East Devon District Council, Derbyshire County Council and Manchester City Council to name but a few.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council has decided that this Motion (if moved and seconded) will be referred without discussion to the Environment Policy Development Group.
(3) Motion 546 (Councillor Mrs J Roach – 11 April 2018)
The Council has before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:
This Council agrees to clarify the rules in the constitution relating to who can speak at working groups and to non planning application agenda items at the planning committee. This motion seeks to establish the right in law of Councillors to participate in the democratic process without relying on a Chairman's discretion.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council has decided that this Motion (if moved and seconded) will be referred without discussion to the Standards Committee.
(4) Motion 547 (Councillor Mrs J Roach – 11 April 2018)
The Council has before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:
This Council agrees to amend the constitution by removing the right of a Chairman to use a casting vote.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council has decided to allow this motion (if moved and seconded) to be dealt with at this meeting
(5) Motion 548 (Councillor Mrs J Roach – 12 April 2018)
The Council has before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:
This Council regrets that at the last Council meeting Cllr Mrs J Roach was given incorrect and misleading answers to some of her questions.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council has decided to allow this motion (if moved and seconded) to be dealt with at this meeting
Minutes:
(1) Motion 541 (Councillor Mrs J Roach - 30 November 2017)
The following motion had been referred to the Standards Committee for consideration and report:
This Council reconsiders the time and times that it allows ward members to speak at the planning committee. The present system gives many opportunities to speak but allows the local member only one opportunity. At the very least Council should give elected Councillors the opportunity to correct incorrect statements, something that exists within standing orders but not allowed at the planning committee. At the last planning committee the situation that exists at the moment prevented me as the elected Councillor for Silverton for pointing out that the Highways advice was inconsistent with previous advice given on the same site.
The Standards Committee at its meeting on 14 March 2018 considered the Motion and recommended that it not be supported as the matters raised within the Motion had been adequately covered and surpassed by a recommendation to the Planning Committee.
Following discussion and upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have FAILED.
(2) Motion 545 (Councillor L Taylor – 10 April 2018)
The Council had before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:
That this Council considers the use of British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) stickers on all Mid Devon grass cutting machinery, requesting that all users check the area to be cut before using the equipment. The stickers are free and are being used by other Councils such as East Devon District Council, Derbyshire County Council and Manchester City Council to name but a few.
The MOTION was MOVED by Councillor L Taylor and seconded by Councillor R Wright.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council ruled that this MOTION STAND REFERRED to the Environment Policy Development Group.
(3) Motion 546 (Councillor Mrs J Roach – 11 April 2018)
The Council had before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:
This Council agrees to clarify the rules in the constitution relating to who can speak at working groups and to non-planning application agenda items at the planning committee. This motion seeks to establish the right in law of Councillors to participate in the democratic process without relying on a Chairman's discretion.
The MOTION was MOVED by Councillor Mrs J Roach and seconded by Councillor T W Snow.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council ruled that this MOTION STAND REFERRED to the Standards Committee
(4) Motion 547 (Councillor Mrs J Roach – 11 April 2018)
The Council had before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:
This Council agrees to amend the constitution by removing the right of a Chairman to use a casting vote.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council ruled that this Motion be dealt with at this meeting.
Councillor Mrs J Roach had submitted the following AMENDMENT :
To amend the motion to read: This Council recognises that the right of the Chairman to use a casting vote is enshrined in law and cannot be removed from the constitution. However Council recognises that there are a number of issues around the present use of a casting vote, including an issue of predetermination, that the matter should be discussed by the Standards committee.
The Monitoring Officer informed the meeting that the original motion and the amendment were contrary to law - the issue of the Chairman’s Casting Vote was enshrined within the Local Government Act 1972 and was also considered within Case Law.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.3, as the AMENDMENT and the original MOTION were not moved, they were therefore WITHDRAWN.
(5) Motion 548 (Councillor Mrs J Roach – 12 April 2018)
The Council had before it a MOTION submitted for the first time:
This Council regrets that at the last Council meeting Cllr Mrs J Roach was given incorrect and misleading answers to some of her questions.
The MOTION was MOVED by Councillor Mrs J Roach and seconded by Councillor T W Snow.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.4, the Chairman of the Council ruled that this Motion be dealt with at this meeting.
The Council had before it a question * submitted by Councillor Mrs J Roach in accordance with Procedure Rule 13.2 with regard to the Motion together with a response from the Cabinet Member for Housing.
Following discussion and upon a vote being taken, the motion was declared to have FAILED.
Note: * Question previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.