Agenda item

To consider the submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England in respect of the proposed size of the membership of Rotherham MBC, as part of the ward boundary review.  

Consideration was given to a report which sought approval of a submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) which recommended that the future number of councillors in Rotherham be reduced from 63 to 59.

It was reported that the Constitution Working Group had met twice to consider the future size of the Council to inform the development of a submission to the LGBCE. Having reviewed a number of potential sizes and compared to similar authorities, the Working Group had recommended a future membership of 59 councillors. Subsequent to that, a draft submission had been prepared for the LGBCE’s consideration and had been presented to the meeting of the Council for deliberation. The final submission to the LGBCE had to be forwarded by 13 September 2016.

In discussing the report and the issue therein, the Leader of the Council proposed and the Leader of the Opposition seconded the following motion, along with the officer recommendations:

“That the Council Size Submission be amended to provide a more robust case justifying the proposed reduction from 63 to 59 councillors and acknowledging the intent of the Council to continue its commitment to open and transparent decision making, involving all members, as follows:

·         Increased use of digital technology has made it easier to be contacted and do work, but has also had the effect of increasing workload

·         Increased number of committee meetings in 2016-17, notwithstanding other formal commitments which are not detailed fully within the submission

·         Reflecting the need to ensure that there are sufficient councillors to lead the improvement of governance in the council

·         Increased detail in respect of the discharge of licensing decision making functions

·         Recognition of the various roles that councillors perform beyond attendance at formal committee meetings, such as partnership working or on external bodies

·         Reference to the ratio of committee/panel/board roles per councillor in order to discharge effective governance, oversight and decision-making”

Upon being put to the vote, it was resolved unanimously by the Council:

1.    That the Council Size Submission be amended to provide a more robust case justifying the proposed reduction from 63 to 59 councillors and acknowledging the intent of the Council to continue its commitment to open and transparent decision making, involving all members, as follows:

·         Increased use of digital technology has made it easier to be contacted and do work, but has also had the effect of increasing workload

·         Increased number of committee meetings in 2016-17, notwithstanding other formal commitments which are not detailed fully within the submission

·         Reflecting the need to ensure that there are sufficient councillors to lead the improvement of governance in the council

·         Increased detail in respect of the discharge of licensing decision making functions

·         Recognition of the various roles that councillors perform beyond attendance at formal committee meetings, such as partnership working or on external bodies

·         Reference to the ratio of committee/panel/board roles per councillor in order to discharge effective governance, oversight and decision-making

2.    That the Chief Executive be authorised to make any final amendments to the submission, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, by way of response to comments or suggestions from the LGBCE and to send the final submission.

3.    That the Constitution Working Group be authorised to continue to lead on the Review of Ward Boundaries for the duration of the review, subject to any further proposals being agreed by Council for submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.