Agenda item

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 Borough Elections in May 2019.

After outlining the concerns of the Labour Group regarding the current situation, Councillor Mick Titherington proposed Councillor Paul Foster as Leader of the Council, this was seconded by Councillor David Watts.

Councillor Cliff Hughes then proposed Councillor Caroline Moon as Leader of the Council, this was seconded by Councillor Karen Walton.

The Deputy Mayor explained that a vote would be taken in turn for each nomination.

Accordingly a vote was taken in respect of the nomination of Councillor Paul Foster as Leader of the Council.

Following debate and in accordance with Rule 16.4 in Part 4 of the Constitution, the voting on the Motion was recorded and the Members of Council present at the time, voted as follows:

FOR THE MOTION:

Councillors Jane Bell, Renee Blow, Mal Donoghue, William Evans, Derek Forrest, Paul Foster, Harold Hancock, Mick Higgins, David Howarth, Kenneth Jones, Susan Jones, Keith Martin, Elizabeth Mawson, James Patten, Mick Titherington, Caleb Tomlinson, Matthew Tomlinson, Ian Watkinson, David Watts and Jonathan Woodcock.

AGAINST THE MOTION:

Councillors Warren Bennett, Carol Chisholm, Colin Clark, Jon Hesketh, Cliff Hughes, James Marsh, Caroline Moon, Peter Mullineaux, Mike Nelson, Rebecca Noblet, Alan Ogilvie, Margaret Smith, Phil Smith, Susan Snape, David Suthers, Graham Walton, Karen Walton, Linda Woollard and Barrie Yates.

ABSTENTION:

Councillor David Bird.

The Deputy Mayor declared that the Motion was CARRIED by 20 votes to 19 with 1 Abstention and it was

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Paul Foster be appointed the Leader of the Council until the First Business Meeting of the Council to be held in May 2019.

Councillor Paul Foster thanked the Council for appointing him as the Leader of the Council and appointed Councillors Mick Titherington, Jane Bell, William Evans, Susan Jones and Matthew Tomlinson as his Cabinet, with their roles and portfolio responsibilities to be confirmed at a later date.