Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance, (copy enclosed).

The Council considered the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance seeking Members’ appointment of a Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council for the remainder of the Municipal year (to May 2022).

The Chairman advised that he had been informed that Councillor R H Siddall had stepped down as Leader designate and as a result of this, he would be nominating him for Leader of the Council.  This proposal was duly seconded.

In response to a Point of Order raised by Councillor R G Boyce regarding the Leader Designate position, the Chairman advised that this was an extraordinary meeting of the Council, not the statutory annual and it was at his discretion to interpret the constitution.

Councillor Mrs M E Thompson proposed that Councillor Mrs P A Channer be nominated as Leader of the Council.  This was duly seconded.

In response to a comment regarding the resignation of the Leader Designate, the Lead Legal Specialist and Monitoring Officer explained that without a Leader Designate, as the Independent Party had not elected another Leader, no ratification process could take place.  This therefore left it open for the Chairman to call for nominations to the position of Leader of the Council.

There were no further nominations.  The Chairman advised that as there were two nominations this would be put to the vote.

In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor C Morris requested a recorded vote.  This was duly seconded. 

The Chairman advised Members that they needed to vote for either Councillor Mrs Channer or Councillor Siddall as the nominated Members or choose to abstain.  The voting was as follows:

For Councillor Mrs P A Channer:

Councillors Miss A M Beale, R G Boyce, Mrs P A Channer, R P F Dewick, A S Fluker, M W Helm, B B Heubner, A L Hull, J V Keyes, K M H Lagan, C P Morley, S P Nunn, W Stamp, Mrs M E Thompson and Miss S White.

For Councillor R Siddall:

Councillors M G Bassenger, B S Beale, V J Bell, M R Edwards, M S Heard, C Mayes, C Morris, N G F Shaughnessy, R H Siddall, N J Skeens, E L Stephens, Mrs J C Stilts and C Swain.

Abstention:

None.

The Chairman therefore declared that Councillor Mrs P A Channer was elected as Leader of the Council.  Councillor Mrs Channer thanked Members for voting for her, saying she was privileged and honored.

The Chairman then called for nominations for Deputy Leader of the Council.  Councillor Mrs Channer nominated Councillor Mrs M E Thompson and this was duly seconded.  There being no other nominations the Chairman declared that Councillor Mrs Thompson was Deputy Leader of the Council.

RESOLVED

(i)               That Councillor Mrs P A Channer be elected as Leader of the Council for the remainder of the Municipal year;

(ii)              That Councillor Mrs M E Thompson be elected as the Deputy Leader of the Council for the remainder of the Municipal year.

Councillor N G H Shaughnessy left the meeting at this point and did not return.

Councillor C Morris left the meeting at this point.