Agenda item

(i)              To consider the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance on the Leaders and composition of each political group (copy to follow).

(ii)             That the Council considers ratification of the Leader-designate as Leader of the Council.

(iii)            That the Council elects the Deputy Leader of the Council.

The Council considered the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance, tabled at the meeting.  As required by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the Programmes, Performance and Governance Manager had been notified that the composition of the political Groups of the Council were as follows:

It was noted that Councillors V J Bell, A M Lay, U G C Siddall-Norman and S White were not part of a Political Group.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, it was noted that Councillor S J N Morgan was therefore recognised as Leader-designate. 

The Chairperson moved recommendation (ii) as set out in the report, to consider the ratification of the Leader designate as Leader of the Council.  At this point, Councillor Morgan advised that he wished to resign as Leader designate and not put himself forward for the position as Leader of the Council. 

The Chairperson then called for nominations for the position of Leader of the Council.  Nominations, duly seconded, were received for Councillor S White and Councillor R H Siddall.

In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor W Stamp requested a recorded vote, which was duly seconded. 

There being no other nominations the Chairperson advised that Members would vote for each nominated Member individually. The voting was as follows:

Voting for Councillor S White:

For the recommendation:

Councillors A S Fluker, K M H Lagan, M G Neall, W Stamp, J C Stilts and S White.

Against the recommendation:

Councillors M G Bassenger, V J Bell, S J Burwood, J Driver, J C Hughes, K Jennings, A M Lay, N G F Shaughnessy, R H Siddall, N Spenceley, P L Spenceley, E L Stephens, N Swindle and M E Thompson.

Abstention:

Councillors D Bown, M F L Durham, T Fittock, L J Haywood, N R Miller, S J N Morgan and R Pratt.

Voting for Councillor R H Siddall:

For the recommendation:

Councillors M G Bassenger, V J Bell, S J Burwood, J Driver, T Fittock, J C Hughes, K Jennings, A M Lay, N G F Shaughnessy, R H Siddall, N Spenceley, P L Spenceley, E L Stephens and N Swindle.

Against the recommendation:

Councillors A S Fluker, L J Haywood, K M H Lagan, M G Neall, W Stamp, J C Stilts and S White.

Abstention:

Councillors D Bown, M F L Durham, N R Miller, S J N Morgan, R Pratt and M E Thompson.

The Chairperson declared that Councillor R H Siddall was therefore elected as Leader of the Council.

The Chairperson moved to recommendation (ii) as set out in the report and sought nominations for Deputy Leader of the Council.  Nominations, duly seconded, were received for Councillors M G Bassenger and Councillor W Stamp.

In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor Stamp requested a recorded vote and the voting was as follows: 

Voting for Councillor M G Bassenger:

For the recommendation:

Councillors M G Bassenger, V J Bell, S J Burwood, J Driver, T Fittock, J C Hughes, K Jennings, A M Lay, N G F Shaughnessy, R H Siddall, N Spenceley, P L Spenceley, E L Stephens and N Swindle.

Against the recommendation:

Councillors A S Fluker, L J Haywood, M G Neall, W Stamp and S White.

Abstention:

Councillors D Bown, M F L Durham, K M H Lagan, N R Miller, S J N Morgan, R Pratt, J C Stilts and M E Thompson.

The Chairperson declared that Councillor M G Bassenger was duly elected as Deputy Leader of the Council.

RESOLVED

(i)             that the contents of the report be noted.

(ii)            that Councillor R H Siddall be elected as Leader of the Council for the ensuing municipal year;

(iii)           Councillor M G Bassenger be elected as Deputy Leader of the Council for the ensuing municipal year.

At this point, the Leader of the council raised a Point of Order relating to Procedure Rule 4 – Leader of the Opposition.  He proposed that despite the constitution stating that the Leader of the second largest Group would be become the Leader of the Opposition that the Leader of the Conservative Group be recognised as the Leader of the Opposition.