Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Colin Coulton, Mary Green, Michael Green, Claire Hamilton, Jacqui Mort, Barbara Nathan, Mike Nathan, John Rainsbury (Mayor) and Paul Wharton.

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 on any interests.

In accordance with Standing Order number 3.1(vi) in Part 4A Council Procedure Rules (Standing Orders) of the South Ribble Council’s Constitution dated June 2018 Councillors David Howarth, Harold Hancock, Renee Blow, Susan Jones and Jane Bell have requested an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council to 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 June 2018.

The purpose of the meeting is to seek the Removal of the Leader as per Standing Order number 11.1, Part 4A of the Constitution dated June 2018 and subsequently appoint a replacement upon the Motion being carried.

The Motion is proposed by Councillor David Howarth and seconded by Councillor Harold Hancock.

Motion

“As an individual who has the responsibility of leading the council both internally and externally with outside organisations, council believes that the lack of judgement and offensive behaviour displayed by the Leader has brought the council into disrepute to the detriment of those we represent. This council now therefore has No Confidence in the Leader.

It is therefore decided that:-

i)             In the event that the Leader is still in post by the commencement of the meeting then the Executive Leader shall be formally removed, and the council will immediately seek nominations from those members present and appoint a new Executive Leader; and

ii)            In the event of any formal resignation and a vacancy occurring prior to the commencement of the meeting the council will immediately seek nominations from those members present and appoint a new Executive Leader; and

iii)           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 South Ribble Council’s Constitution dated June 2018 Councillors David Howarth, Harold Hancock, Renee Blow, Susan Jones and Jane Bell had requested an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council to be convened to consider the following Notice of Motion, which had been submitted in accordance with Standing Order number 10.2 in Part 4A of the Constitution dated June 2018.

The Motion was proposed by Councillor David Howarth and seconded by Councillor Harold Hancock. It stated:

“As an individual who has the responsibility of leading the council both internally and externally with outside organisations, council believes that the lack of judgement and offensive behaviour displayed by the Leader has brought the council into disrepute to the detriment of those we represent. This council now therefore has No Confidence in the Leader.

It is therefore decided that:-

i)             In the event that the Leader is still in post by the commencement of the meeting then the Executive Leader shall be formally removed, and the council will immediately seek nominations from those members present and appoint a new Executive Leader; and

ii)            In the event of any formal resignation and a vacancy occurring prior to the commencement of the meeting the council will immediately seek nominations from those members present and appoint a new Executive Leader; and

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

The Deputy Mayor explained that there were three parts to the Motion.

Following the resignation of Councillor Mary Green as Council Leader as at noon that day, the First Part of the Motion (No Confidence in and Removal of the Leader) had been dealt with and therefore would not be debated upon.

Under Standing Order number 14.11 of the Council’s Constitution, Councillor Caroline Moon, the Interim Leader of the Council moved a new Motion to adjourn the meeting to allow the Conservative Group to appoint a new Leader of the Conservative Group that could then in turn be nominated for the Leader of the Council. This was seconded by Councillor Cliff Hughes.

Councillors Paul Foster, David Howarth and Matthew Tomlinson commented that the Council was not beholden to the Conservative Party and were present to elect a new Leader of the Council and that could be a person from any party to bring some stability to the leadership of the authority.

Upon the vote, the Motion to adjourn the meeting was LOST (Yes 19: No 21)

The Motion moved by Councillors David Howarth and Councillor Harold Hancock was then debated.

Councillors David Howarth and Harold Hancock outlined their concerns over the behaviour of the previous Leader at the last meeting of full Council and that the absence of a formal apology had led to submission of the Motion.

The Deputy Mayor then asked for any nominations for the appointment of a new Leader of the Council for a period of office until the First Business meeting of Council following the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.