Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED on the nomination of Councillor Hannaford, seconded by Councillor Wardle, that Councillor Olwen Foggin be elected Lord Mayor of the City for the ensuing Municipal Year.

The Lord Mayor was invested with her Robe and Chain of Office, made her Declaration of Acceptance of Office, took the Chair and returned thanks. 

RESOLVED on the nomination of Councillor Lyons, seconded by Councillor Raybould, that Councillor Lesley Robson be appointed Deputy Lord Mayor of the City for the ensuing Municipal Year.

The Deputy Lord Mayor was invested with her Robe and Chain of Office, made her Declaration of Acceptance of Office and returned thanks.

RESOLVED that the Council record its appreciation for the able and courteous manner in which Councillor Prowse and Mrs Prowse have discharged the duties of Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress during the past year.

Councillor Leadbetter, on behalf of the Council, presented badges to the retiring Lord Mayor and retiring Lady Mayoress.

The retiring Lord Mayor returned thanks.

RESOLVED that the Council record its appreciation for the able and courteous manner in which Councillor Newby and Mrs Newby have discharged the duties of Deputy Lord Mayor and Deputy Lady Mayoress during the past year.

The retiring Deputy Lord Mayor returned thanks.

Councillor Edwards was confirmed as Leader of the Council. Councillor Edwards confirmed the appointment of Councillor Sutton as Deputy Leader.  

RESOLVED that Councillor Edwards be elected as Leader of the Council and Councillor Sutton as Deputy Leader. 

The Leader of the Council confirmed his nominations for Portfolio Holders and Executive membership as circulated. 

The Leader, seconded by Councillor Sutton, moved that the Executive be kept to eight members with an additional Portfolio Holder, making seven in total and with the eighth member of the Executive being Councillor Leadbetter as the Leader of the Opposition. He also recommended that the Members’ Allowances budget be increased appropriately to accommodate the additional Special Responsibility Allowance payable for the seventh Portfolio Holder.  He advised that it was estimated to be no more than an additional £6,000 per annum.

RESOLVED that:-

(1)          the Council’s Executive be appointed as follows for the ensuing Municipal Year:-

(2)          the Members’ Allowances budget be increased appropriately to accommodate the additional Special Responsibility Allowance payable for the seventh Portfolio Holder.  This is estimated to be no more than an additional £6,000 per annum.

The Leader advised that the list of Members nominated to sit on each of the Council’s Committees, together with the names of the Chairs and Deputy Chairs for the majority of those meetings had been circulated. There were no names put forward for the Chair and Deputy Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees. The reason being that he proposed to review the Council’s conventions as detailed in the Council’s constitution, which, amongst other things, included the provision that the Chairs and Deputy Chairs of Scrutiny Committees be drawn from members of the other political groups of the Council.  This would be in line with the way in which a number of other authorities in Devon operate, particularly where the ruling group has a large majority, as is now the case in Exeter. 

The Leader moved, seconded by Councillor Sutton, that:-

(1)          Standing Order 39(2) be suspended in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 48(1); and

(2)          the list, as circulated, with regards the membership of Committees and also the Chairs and Deputy Chairs of those Committees where stated be approved.

RESOLVED that:-

(1)          Standing Order 39(2) be suspended in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order 48(1);

(2)          the list, as circulated, with regards the membership of Committees and also the Chairs and Deputy Chairs of those Committees, where stated, be approved;

Councillor Leadbetter supported by Councillor Mottram expressed disappointment at the Leader’s proposal for the changes to the appointment of Chairs to the Scrutiny Committees.

The Leader moved, seconded by Councillor Sutton, that:-

(3)          a Special meeting of the Executive be held at 5.30pm on 3 June to consider the continuing appropriateness of the “Exeter Conventions,” as well as any other linked aspects, of the Council’s constitution;

(4)          a Extraordinary meeting of the Council be held at 6pm on 4 June to consider any recommendations arising from the Executive meeting as detailed in (3) above; and

(5)          the meetings of the Scrutiny Committees Community and Economy scheduled for 9 and 11 June respectively, be rearranged and be now held on 16 and 18June respectively.

RESOLVEDthat:-

(3)          a Special meeting of the Executive be held at 5.30pm on 3 June to consider the continuing appropriateness of the “Exeter Conventions,” as well as any other linked aspects, of the Council’s constitution;

(4)          a Extraordinary meeting of the Council be held at 6pm on 4 June to consider any recommendations arising from the Executive meeting as detailed in (3) above; and

(5)          the meetings of the Scrutiny Committees Community and Economy scheduled for 9 and 11 June respectively, be rearranged and be now held on 16 and 18June respectively.