Councillor Fleming proposed and Councillor Mrs Davison seconded that Full Council (a) approve the proposed governance structure attached at Appendix B to the report and that Officers bring back to the May Council meeting the detailed mechanisms to enable the implementation of the structure; (b) delegate authority to the Leader of the Council, in consultation with Members, to work with the Monitoring Officer and the Chief Executive, to make consequential amendments to the Constitution as appropriate; (c) undertake a review of the new governance arrangements and report to Full Council in April 2014.

The Leader highlighted that the proposals were to agree general principles for a governance structure to enable more detailed work to be undertaken in consultation with Members.  The proposals in front of Members addressed the four key areas of concern that had arisen from the Governance Review meetings.

Some Members expressed concerns surrounding the proposed timescales, stressing that important decisions were being taken in a very short time.  The need to follow proper processes and inform the Modern Local Government Group of any detailed proposals was highlighted.  The Chief Executive Designate confirmed that any changes to the Council’s Constitution would have to be considered by the Modern Local Government Group.

Councillor Walshe proposed and Councillor Purves seconded that (c) of the motion be amended as follows:

(c) a review of the new governance arrangements and all possible alternative models be undertaken in detail and reported to Full Council by April 2014.

Councillor Mrs Cook suggested that the amendment be altered as follows:

(c) a review of the new governance arrangements be undertaken and reported back to Full Council by April 2014.

(d) Options requiring more detailed consideration, such as the Committee System or a Hybrid Model requiring Secretary of State approval, be investigated during the next municipal year.

The amendment was put to the vote and was CARRIED.

Members returned to debating the original motion, as amended by Councillor Walshe and Councillor Gaywood proposed and Councillor Walshe seconded that the motion be amended as follows:

(a)   the proposed governance structure attached at Appendix B to the report be approved and that Officers bring back to the July Council meeting the detailed mechanisms to enable the implementation of the structure;

The amendment was put to the vote and was LOST.

Members returned to debating the original motion, as amended by Councillor Walshe.  The motion was put to the vote and it was

Resolved: That

(a)   the proposed governance structure attached at Appendix B to the report be approved and that Officers bring back to the May Council meeting the detailed mechanisms to enable the implementation of the structure;

(b)   authority be delegated to the Leader of the Council, in consultation with Members to work with the Monitoring Officer and the Chief Executive to make consequential amendments to the Constitution as appropriate;

(c)    a review of the new governance arrangements be undertaken and reported back to Full Council by April 2014.

(d)   Options requiring more detailed consideration, such as the Committee System or a Hybrid Model requiring Secretary of State approval, be investigated during the next municipal year.