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 Colin Clark, Graham Walton, Karen Walton, Peter Mullineaux and Michael Nelson 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.

The Motion is proposed by Councillor Colin Clark and seconded by Councillor Graham Walton.

Motion

Since the Conservative Group hold the majority of seats on the Council, it is asserted that the Administration of the Council should be formed wholly of Conservative Members.

It is therefore decided that:-

i) The current Executive Leader shall be removed from office with immediate effect.

ii) Councillor Margaret Smith will be appointed as the new Executive Leader.

iii) The newly appointed Executive Leader will appoint a Cabinet, and propose any changes to Committees and Outside Bodies, forthwith.

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 Colin Clark, Graham Walton, Karen Walton, Peter Mulineaux and Mike Nelson 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 Motion was proposed by Councillor Colin Clark and seconded by Councillor Graham Walton. It stated:

“Since the Conservative Group hold the majority of seats on the Council, it is asserted that the Administration of the Council should be formed wholly of Conservative Members.

It is therefore decided that:

i)     The current Executive Leader shall be removed with immediate effect.

ii)    Councillor Margaret Smith will be appointed as the new Executive Leader.

iii)  The newly appointed Executive Leader will appoint a Cabinet, and propose any changes to Committees and Outside Bodies, forthwith.”

The Motion was then debated.

Councillor Paul Foster spoke about how he had found himself in exceptional circumstances of being the Leader of the Council, leading a minority administration and although he did not wish to continue as Leader under these circumstances, urged the Conservative Group to ensure that going forwards they continued to represent the community appropriately, transparently and in the best interests of all Members of the Council.

Councillor Howarth commented that in his opinion the Motion was not in the best interests of the Council and asked the Conservative Group to consider a cross party administration.

A member of the public also spoke about the events of the past few weeks and asked Council Members to consider allowing the current Labour administration to continue.

Accordingly a vote was taken in respect of the removal of Councillor Paul Foster as Leader of the Council to be replaced by Councillor Margaret Smith.

Following the 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 Warren Bennet, Carol Chisholm, Colin Clark, Colin Coulton, Mary Green, Michael Green, Jon Hesketh, James Marsh, Caroline Moon, Peter Mullineaux, Barbara Nathan, Mike Nathan, Mike Nelson, Rebecca Noblet, Alan Ogilvie, John Rainsbury, Margaret Smith, Phil Smith, Susan Snape, David Suthers, Graham Walton, Karen Walton, Paul Wharton and Barrie Yates.

AGAINST THE MOTION:

Councillors Jane Bell, Mal Donoghue, William Evans, Paul Foster, Mick Higgins, Kenneth Jones, Susan Jones, Keith Martin, Elizabeth Mawson, James Patten, Mick Titherington, Caleb Tomlinson, Matthew Tomlinson, Ian Watkinson and David Watts.

ABSTENTION:

Councillors Renee Blow, Harold Hancock and David Howarth.

The Mayor declared that the Motion was CARRIED by 24 votes to 15 with 3 Abstentions and it was

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Paul Foster be removed as Leader of the Council with immediate effect and that Councillor Margaret Smith be appointed as the Leader of the Council until the First Business Meeting of the Council to be held in May 2019.

After a five minute recess announced by the Mayor, Councillor Margaret Smith circulated papers that informed of her Cabinet, their roles and responsibilities as follows:

There were also a number of proposed changes to the memberships of Committee’s and Outside Bodies and upon being put to the vote it was RESOLVED (Unanimously) to approve the following amendments:

The new Leader, Councillor Margaret Smith thanked the Council for appointing her as the Leader of the Council and responded to some of the comments made earlier in the meeting. The Conservative Group had addressed their differences and there was a commitment to move forwards for the benefit of the Council and its residents. The Leader stated that her main interest was putting the people of South Ribble first. The administration had a Corporate Plan that was although ambitious was achievable and aligned to the Medium Term Financial Strategy. Councillor Margaret Smith thanked the opposition for all their work over the past two weeks and said that she would take on board those comments made for the betterment and good of the Council.