Agenda and minutes

The Chairman will draw attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out under Note 7.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting including the members of the public seated in the overflow facility in the Banqueting Room and drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure on the agenda which was read out.

The Chairman asked the Council`s consent to allow the BBC to film for a short period at the beginning of the meeting. The Council agreed.

The Chairman explained that this special meeting of the Council was required by law to consider the agenda item on the Future Executive Leadership Model and that it would be followed by the ordinary meeting.  She asked members of the public waiting for items later on that agenda to be patient whilst the earlier business was conducted.

At this point in the meeting declarations of interest are received from Members in any of the agenda items under consideration at the meeting. Members are asked to complete the green interest forms circulated to groups in their pre-meetings (which will be announced at the Council Meeting) to indicate:

(a) The agenda item number in which they have an interest to declare.

(b) The nature of their interest.

(c) Whether their interest is personal and prejudicial or personal.

Any Member who needs to clarify any matters relating to the declaration of interests is recommended to seek advice from the Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest made at this special meeting.

These are matters of information for Members of the Council. No decisions will be required arising from the announcements.

The Chairman:

1. Invited the Council to join her in congratulating Prince William and Miss Kate Middleton on the announcement of their engagement to be married which had been made today and indicated that she would write to them conveying the Council`s good wishes.

2. Informed Council of the recent death of Tony Morgan, father of Councillor Loraine Morgan-Brinkhurst.  She paid tribute to his service as Chairman`s Consort to Councillor Morgan-Brinkhurst in 2006/07 and asked the Council to place on record condolences to Councillor Morgan-Brinkhurst and her family.

3. Informed Council that the pledge she had made when taking office in May for official recognition to be given to North EastSomerset Towns, Parishes and Communities through a display at the Guildhall had now been fulfilled. The display was now on view at the Guildhall and material from the remaining parishes yet to contribute would be added as it was received.

4. Asked everyone to turn off their mobile phone or switch it to silent to avoid disrupting the meeting and because of the possibility that if they remained switched on they might interfere with the sound system.

5. Referred to the agenda item timings on the briefing sheets for this meeting and the ordinary meeting which had been agreed with the Group Leaders and, in view of the large number of members of the public speaking at the ordinary meeting, asked Councillors to keep contributions to debate brief and relevant and not to repeat what had already been said by colleagues.

6. Indicated that for both meetings she proposed to waive Council Rule 37 so as not to permit Councillors seconding motions or amendments being able to reserve their right to speak until later in the debate, but to require all seconders if they wished to speak to do so when they second the motion or amendment. The Council indicated its agreement.

7. Reminded Councillors that the next Full Council Meeting would be held on Thursday 2^nd December.

8. Indicated that she would announce a comfort break during the ordinary meeting at an appropriate point after 8pm.

If there is any urgent business arising since the formal agenda was published, the Chairman will announce this and give reasons why she has agreed to consider it at this meeting. In making her decision, the Chairman will, where practicable, have consulted with the Leaders of the Political Groups. Any documentation on urgent business will be circulated at the meeting, if not made available previously.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS, STATEMENTS, PETITIONS AND DEPUTATIONS

There were no items of urgent business for this meeting.

The Democratic Services Manager will announce any submissions received about the business of the special meeting under the arrangements set out in note 5 above. The Council will be invited to decide what action it wishes to take, if any, on the matters raised in these submissions. As the questions received and the answers given will be circulated in written form there is no requirement for them to be read out at the meeting. The questions and answers will be published with the draft minutes.

POLICY AND BUDGET FRAMEWORK AND CABINET ITEMS FOR COUNCIL DECISION

There were no statements or questions from members of the public about the business of this special meeting.

This report sets out the results of the consultation on the options for executive governance and invites the Council to decide which option it wishes to pursue.

The Council considered a report on the outcome of the consultation in relation to the Executive arrangements of the Council in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.

On a motion from Councillor Francine Haeberling seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley it was RESOLVED that the Leader and Cabinet model of governance be adopted as outlined in Option 2 in the report pending the forthcoming publication of the Localism Parliamentary Bill.

The Democratic Services Manager will announce any submissions received about the business of the special meeting. The Council will be invited to decide what action it wishes to take, if any, on the matters raised in these submissions. As the questions received and the answers given will be circulated in written form there is no requirement for them to be read out at the meeting. The questions and answers will be published with the draft minutes.

There were no statements or questions from Members of the Council about the business of this special meeting.