Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Warren Bennett, Elizabeth Mawson, Peter Mullineaux and John Rainsbury.

Members are requested to notify Democratic Services, by 4.00pm on the day of the meeting, of any items on the agenda in which they have an interest and the nature of the interest. They should do so by email to democraticservices@southribble.gov.uk.

Members are reminded that if the interest is a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (as defined in the Members’ Code of Conduct) they must leave the room for the whole of the item.

Where the interest is not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, but is such that a member of the public could reasonably regard it as being so significant that it is likely that it would prejudice a Member’s judgment of the public interest (as explained in the Code of Conduct) then they may stay in the meeting to make representations, answer questions or give evidence relating to the item but then must withdraw from the meeting for the remainder of that item. Where such an interest is in an item to be discussed in exempt session, members are reminded that they must withdraw from the meeting for the whole of that item.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with Standing Order number 3.1(vi) in Part 4A Council Procedure Rules (Standing Orders) of the South Ribble Borough Council’s Constitution dated October 2017 Councillors Paul Foster, Susan Jones JP, Malcolm Donoghue, Ken Jones and Keith Martin have requested that this Extraordinary Meeting of the Council be convened to consider the following Notice of Motion, which has been submitted in accordance with Standing Order number 10.2 in Part 4A of the Constitution dated October 2017.

The purpose of the Meeting is to seek the Removal of the Leader as per Standing Order number 11.1 of Part 4A of the Constitution dated October 2017 and subsequently appoint a replacement upon the Motion being carried.

This Motion is proposed by Councillor Paul Foster and seconded by Councillor Susan Jones JP.

Motion

“1.        As individuals who are in a position of great responsibility, this Council no longer believes that the Leader and Cabinet are deemed fit to hold that position as they are continuingly failing to carry out their obligations in a diligent and professional manner to the detriment of the local community we represent. Therefore this Council now has No Confidence in the Leader and Cabinet.

2.         It is therefore decided that:

a.    The Executive Leader of the Council be formally removed, as per Standing Order 11.1, Part 4 – Page 9 of the South Ribble Borough Council Constitution dated October 2017. The Council will then immediately seek nominations from those Members present and appoint a new Executive Leader; and

b.      The newly appointed Executive Leader will then appoint a Cabinet.”

In accordance with Standing Order number 3.1(vi) in Part 4A, Council Procedure Rules (Standing Orders) of the Council’s Constitution, Councillors Paul Foster, Susan Jones JP, Malcolm Donoghue, Ken Jones and Keith Martin had requested that this Extraordinary Meeting of the Council be convened to consider the Notice of Motion set out below, which had been submitted in accordance with Standing Order number 10.2 in Part 4A of the Constitution.

The purpose of the Motion was to seek the removal of the Leader as per Standing Order number 11.1 of Part 4A of the Constitution and subsequently appoint a replacement upon the Motion being carried.

The Interim Monitoring Officer advised the Council on the process to be followed at the meeting to deal with the consideration of the Motion and any potential amendments.

The following Motion was proposed by Councillor Paul Foster and seconded by Councillor Susan Jones JP:

1.            As individuals who are in a position of great responsibility, this Council no longer believe that the Leader and Cabinet are deemed fit to hold that position as they are continuingly failing to carry out their obligations in a diligent and professional manner to the detriment of the local community we represent. Therefore this Council now has No Confidence in the Leader and Cabinet.

2.         It is therefore decided that:

(a)          The Executive Leader of the Council be formally removed, as per Standing Order 11.1, Part 4 – Page 9 of the South Ribble Borough Council Constitution dated October 2017. The Council will then immediately seek nominations from those Members present and appoint a new Executive Leader; and

(b)          The newly appointed Executive Leader will then appoint a Cabinet

Councillors Paul Foster and Susan Jones outlined the concerns of the Labour Group over recent decisions made and actions by the Cabinet and their general dissatisfaction in the administration of the Council by the Conservative Group, and in particular by the Leader and Members of the Cabinet that had led to the submission of the Motion.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Michael Green and seconded by Councillor Michael Nathan that the Motion be amended to read as follows:-

1.        As individuals who are in a position of great responsibility, this Council no longer believes that the Leader is deemed fit to hold that position as he is failing to carry out his obligations in a diligent and professional manner to the detriment of the local community we represent. Therefore this Council now has No Confidence in the Leader.

2.         It is therefore resolved that:

a.    The Executive Leader of the Council be formally removed, as per Standing Order 11.1, Part 4 – Page 9 of the South Ribble Borough Council Constitution dated October 2017.

b.    Councillor Colin Clark be appointed as the Interim Executive Leader, until the next Annual Business Meeting of the Council at the latest; and

c.    The newly appointed Executive Leader will then appoint a Cabinet.

Councillor Michael Green questioned the timing of the meeting in view of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 98.