Issue - meetings

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Sarah-Jane McDonough and Tom Wren.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Mayor invited the Chief Executive to outline the proposed process for voting at the meeting.

The Chief Executive reminded Members that the method of voting at the previous Council meeting was somewhat laborious.  With that in mind, an alternative method of voting had been identified that still allowed transparency, but which took less time.

The Chief Executive advised that the method proposed was that, when a vote was taken, the starting point would be to assume that everyone was voting for the motion or amendment.  If a Member or Members chose to vote against or abstain they would be asked to raise their virtual hands.  The number of votes and abstentions would be totalled and the outcome announced.  With this approach there would be no calling out of Members’ names.

The Chief Executive stated that to adopt this new voting method, Members needed to agree to suspend the relevant temporary Standing Order that was agreed at the previous Council meeting.

It was moved, seconded and (following a roll call) RESOLVED that temporary Standing Order 22 be suspended to allow the above revised method of voting, as outlined by the Chief Executive.