Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer as presented to the Executive on 12^th June, 2017.

Submitted – the report of the Head of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer with an amendment to Section 2.7.2 of the Council’s Constitution was presented to the Council by the Portfolio Holder (Corporate).

The Portfolio Holder (Corporate) reported that the Executive at its meeting held on 12^th June, 2017 upon consideration of the above had resolved to recommend to the full Council that the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make and publish the following amendments to the Council’s Constitution :-

·      To amend section 2.7.2 of the Constitution to read as follows :-

‘The Executive will consist of the Leader together with at least 2, but no more than 9 other Councillors, to include the Deputy Leader; all of whom shall be appointed to the Executive by the Leader.”

·      To agree that the number of Executive posts eligible to receive a senior salary shall be increased, with immediate effect from 7 to 8;

·      To agree in principle, that the Council apply to the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) for permission to extend the number of Members of the Isle of Anglesey County Council eligible to receive a senior salary, from the current cap of 15, up to a maximum of 16;

·      Subject to the Council approving the final application, and the IRPW’s permission being given, to authorise the appointment of a further Member of the Executive (making a total of 9), who will be eligible for a senior salary;

·      To acknowledge that the appointment of two further Executive Members shall be cost neutral on the basis they be funded from savings achieved by the Deputy Leader, an one Chairperson both of whom will continue to refuse receipt of the senior salaries for which their posts are eligible

The Leader of the Opposition Group was dissatisfied and concerned that the intention was to increase the membership of the Executive from 7 to 9 Members.  He expressed that he was under the impression that the former Executive of 7 Members had worked well.  He also had concern regarding the intention to increase the membership of the Executive by the ruling group that at a time when the Council will be looking for savings by each service.

The Leader of the Council referred to the increase in pressure and challenges within the portfolios of some of the Portfolio Members.  She referred to the pressure in the Children’s Services within the Council and the Wylfa Newydd project.

Members of the Opposition Group considered that the matter needed to be deferred and referred to the Corporate Scrutiny Committee for discussion and scrutiny.

In accordance with paragraph 4.1.18.4 of the Constitution the required number of members requested that a recorded vote be taken on the recommendations as noted above.

The recorded vote was as follows :-

That the item be referred to the Corporate Scrutiny Committee for discussion :-

Councillors Glyn Haynes, K.P. Hughes, Aled M. Jones, Eric Jones, R.Ll. Jones, Bryan Owen, J. Arwel Roberts, Peter S. Rogers, Shaun Redmond.

Total 9

Against the motion :-

Councillors Lewis Davies, Richard A. Dew, John Griffith, Richard Griffiths, T.Ll. Hughes MBE, Vaughan Hughes, Llinos M. Huws, Carwyn Jones, Gwilym O. Jones, R.O. Jones, Alun Mummery, Bob Parry OBE FRAgS, Dylan Rees, Dafydd Roberts, Margaret M. Roberts, Dafydd R. Thomas, Ieuan Williams, Robin Williams.

Total 18

Abstained :- Councillor Nicola Roberts.

RESOLVED that the motion be not carried.

The motion to approve the following recommendation :-

‘In accordance with 4.1.27.1 in the Council’s Procedure Rules, the Rule 4.1.17.1 be suspended for the second bullet point of the appended report.’

Councillors Lewis Davies, Richard A. Dew, John Griffith, Richard Griffiths, T.Ll. Hughes MBE, Vaughan Hughes, Llinos M. Huws, Carwyn Jones, Gwilym O. Jones, R.O. Jones, Alun Mummery, Bob Parry OBE FRAgS, Dylan Rees, Dafydd Roberts, Margaret M. Roberts, Nicola Roberts, Dafydd R. Thomas, Ieuan Williams, Robin Williams.   Total 19

Against the motion :-

Councillors Glyn Haynes, K.P. Hughes, Aled M. Jones, Eric Jones, R.Ll. Jones, Bryan Owen, J. Arwel Roberts, Peter S. Rogers, Shaun Redmond.

Total 9

Abstained :- None

The motion to approve the following recommendation :-

‘That the Council approves the Executive Committee’s recommendation in the appended report.’

Councillors Lewis Davies, Richard A. Dew, John Griffith, Richard Griffiths, T.Ll. Hughes MBE, Vaughan Hughes, Llinos M. Huws, Carwyn Jones, Gwilym O. Jones, R.O. Jones, Alun Mummery, Bob Parry OBE FRAgS, Dylan Rees, Dafydd Roberts, Margaret M. Roberts, Nicola Roberts, Dafydd R. Thomas, Ieuan Williams, Robin Williams.     Total 19

Against the motion :-

Councillors Glyn Haynes, K.P. Hughes, Aled M. Jones, Eric Jones, R.Ll. Jones, Bryan Owen, J. Arwel Roberts, Peter S. Rogers, Shaun Redmond.

Total 9

Abstained : None

It was RESOLVED to approve the amendment to section 2.7.2 of the Constitution as noted above.