The Council considered the report of the Head of Paid Service, tabled at the meeting. As required by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the Head of Paid Service had been notified that the composition of the political Groups of the Council were as follows:
|
Independent Group |
Leader: |
Councillor R H Siddall |
|
Members |
Councillors: M G Bassenger, B S Beale MBE, V J Bell, M R Edwards, M S Heard, C Mayes, N G F Shaughnessy, N J Skeens, E L Stephens, Mrs J C Stilts and C Swain |
|
|
Conservative Group |
Leader |
Councillor Mrs P A Channer |
|
Members |
Councillors: Miss A M Beale, R G Boyce MBE M F L Durham CC, Mrs J L Fleming CC, B B Heubner, A L Hull, J V Keyes, S J N Morgan C P Morley, Mrs M E Thompson and S White |
In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, it was noted that Councillor R H Siddall was therefore recognised as Leader-designate.
The Chairman moved recommendation (i) as set out on the agenda, to consider the contents of the report on the Leaders and composition of each political group and this was duly noted.
Moving onto appointment of a Leader of the Council, the Chairman advised that as the Council had an insitu Leader and Leader Designate he would be using Rule 23 and calling for nominations for Leader of the Council.
In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor R H Siddall requested a recorded vote.
The Lead Legal Specialist and Monitoring Officer advised the Council that the Council’s Procedure Rules referred to ratification of the Leader Designate at the Annual Meeting. That was Councillor Siddall however it was ultimately the final ruling of the Chairman on how he ran the meeting and to not follow Procedure Rules and call for nominations for Leader of the Council was within his domain to do so.
Nominations for Leader of the Council, duly seconded, were received for Councillors Mrs P A Channer and R H Siddall.
The Chairman put these nominations to the Council and the voting was as follows:
For Councillor Mrs Channer:
Councillors Miss A M Beale, R G Boyce, Mrs P A Channer, R P F Dewick, M F L Durham, Mrs J L Fleming, A S Fluker, M W Helm, B B Heubner, A L Hull, J V Keyes, K M H Lagan, S J N Morgan, C P Morley, S P Nunn, W Stamp, Mrs M E Thompson and S White.
For Councillor R H Siddall:
Councillors M G Bassenger, V J Bell, M R Edwards, M S Heard, C Mayes, N G F Shaughnessy, R H Siddall, N J Skeens, E L Stephens, Mrs J C Stilts, and C Swain.
Abstention:
Councillors B S Beale and P L Spenceley.
The Chairman declared that Councillor Mrs Channer was therefore elected as Leader of the Council.
The Chairman moved to recommendation (ii) as set out in the report and sought nominations for Deputy Leader of the Council. Nominations were received for Councillors Mrs M E Thompson and Councillor R H Siddall.
In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor R H Siddall requested a recorded vote and the voting was as follows:
For Councillor R H Siddall:
Councillors M G Bassenger, V J Bell, M R Edwards, M S Heard, C Mayes, N G F Shaughnessy, R H Siddall, N J Skeens, E L Stephens, Mrs J C Stilts, and C Swain.
For Councillor Mrs M E Thompson:
Councillors Miss A M Beale, R G Boyce, Mrs P A Channer, R P F Dewick, M F L Durham, Mrs J L Fleming, A S Fluker, M W Helm, B B Heubner, A L Hull, J V Keyes, K M H Lagan, S J N Morgan, C P Morley, S P Nunn, W Stamp, Mrs M E Thompson and S White.
Abstention:
Councillors B S Beale and P L Spenceley.
The Chairman declared that Councillor Mrs Thompson was duly elected as Deputy Leader of the Council.
RESOLVED
(i) that the contents of the report be noted.
(ii) that Councillor Mrs P A Channer be elected as Leader of the Council for the ensuing municipal year;
(iii) Councillor Mrs M E Thompson be elected as Deputy Leader of the Council for the ensuing Municipal Year.