Agenda and minutes

The Lord Mayor welcomed all attendees to the meeting and issued the safety information.

Apologies for absence were heard from Councillors Davies, Geater, Holland, Makawi and Wye.

Councillor Steve Pearce moved that Councillor Paul Goggin be elected as Lord Mayor for the 2023-2024 municipal year.

Councillor Tony Dyer seconded the motion.

Upon being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Paul Goggin be elected as Lord Mayor of the City and County of Bristol for the 2023/24 municipal year.

Councillor Goggin then signed the declaration of acceptance of the office of Lord Mayor of the City and County of Bristol.

The Lord Mayor then made his inaugural speech to Full Council.

Vote of thanks to the retiring Lord Mayor and Lord Mayor’s Consort:

On the motion of Councillor Heather Mack, seconded by Councillor Asher Craig, and upon being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED:

That a vote of thanks be approved by the Full Council to the retiring Lord Mayor and Lord Mayor’s Consort in recognition of their work and duties carried out during the last municipal year.

Councillor Paula O’Rourke, as retiring Lord Mayor, then addressed the Full Council.

Vote of thanks to the retiring Deputy Lord Mayor and retiring Deputy Lady Mayoress:

On the motion of Councillor Sharon Scott, seconded by Councillor Gary Hopkins, and upon being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED:

That a vote of thanks be approved by the Full Council to the retiring Deputy Lord Mayor and retiring Deputy Lady Mayoress in recognition of their work and duties carried out during the last municipal year.

Councillor Katy Grant moved that Councillor Paula O’Rourke be elected as Deputy Lord Mayor for the 2023/24 municipal year.

Councillor Jos Clark seconded the motion.

Upon being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Paula O’Rourke be elected as Deputy Lord Mayor of the City and County of Bristol for the 2023/24 municipal year.

Councillor O’Rourke then signed the declaration of acceptance of the office of Deputy Lord Mayor of the City and County of Bristol.

Full Council then adjourned for 20 minutes.

To note any declarations of interest from the Councillors.  They are asked to indicate the relevant agenda item, the nature of the interest and in particular whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest.

Any declarations of interest made at the meeting which is not on the register of interests should be notified to the Monitoring Officer for inclusion.

None received.

To agree the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.

On the motion of the Lord Mayor, seconded by Councillor Jackson, it was

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous Extraordinary Full Council and Full Council meetings held on the 14^th March 2023 be confirmed as correct record and signed by the Lord Mayor.

To note any announcements from the Lord Mayor

There was none.

Under the Council’s constitution, there is no provision for public forum at the Annual Council meeting. However, in consultation with the Mayor and Party Group Leaders, the Lord Mayor has determined that written statements from members of the public will be accepted for this meeting on the following basis:

1. The wording of all written statements must be submitted by the deadline of midday Thursday 4 May 2023 due to bank holidays. Please note that public questions are not permitted on this occasion. Statements should be sent to democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk

2. Statements for this meeting must be about the reports included on the agenda.

3. One written statement per member of the public or member of Council is permitted.

Details of all statements submitted will be sent to the Lord Mayor, Mayor and all Councillors as soon as possible after the above deadline.

The Full Council received and noted the following statements (which were also referred to the Mayor for his consideration/information):

Recommendation: To approve the dates and times of Full Council meetings in 2023-2024.

The Full Council considered a report which proposed dates and times of Full Council Meetings for the 2023/24 municipal year.

The Lord Mayor moved the report and the recommendations contained therein.

The Deputy Lord Mayor seconded the report.

RESOLVED:

Full Council approves the dates and times of Full Council meetings in 2023-2024.

• 6pm, Tuesday 11 July 2023

• 6pm, Tuesday 12 September 2023

• 6pm, Tuesday 14 November 2023

• 2pm, Tuesday 12 December 2023

• 2pm, Tuesday 9 January 2024

• 2pm, Tuesday 20 February 2024 (budget Council meeting)

• 2pm, Wednesday 28 February 2024 (reserve, additional budget meeting, if required)

• 6pm, Tuesday 12 March 2024

Recommendation: to approve the composition of Committees for the 2023-24 municipal year (full recommendations are set out in detail at the end of the report).

The Full Council considered a report on the establishment of committees for 2023/24.

The Lord Mayor moved the report and the recommendations contained therein.

The Deputy Lord Mayor seconded the report.

It was then:

RESOLVED:

1. That the following committees be established;

a. Overview and Scrutiny bodies:

- Overview and Scrutiny Management Board

- People Scrutiny Commission (Health Sub Committee of the People Scrutiny

Commission)

- Growth and Regeneration Scrutiny Commission

- Communities Scrutiny Commission

- Resources Scrutiny Commission

Joint bodies:

- Joint Health Scrutiny Committee

- Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the purpose of jointly scrutinising

the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Sustainability and

Transformation Partnerships (STP)

- West of England Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee (“The WECA Overview and Scrutiny Committee”)

- Joint Overview and Scrutiny Arrangement comprising of the Constituent Councils of the West of England Combined Authority, the Mayor and North Somerset Council (“The Joint Overview and Scrutiny Arrangement”)

- West of England Combined Authority Audit Committee (“The WECA Overview and

Scrutiny Committee”)

b. Regulatory Committees:

- Development Control Committee A

- Development Control Committee B

- Public Safety and Protection Committee

- Public Rights of Way and Greens Committee

c. Appeals Committee

d. Other (non-executive) Committees:

- Audit Committee

- Human Resources Committee

- Selection Committee

- Area Committees 1 to 6

- Committee Model Working Group

e. Statutory Committees:

- To note the position in relation to the Licensing Committee.

- To note that the Health and Wellbeing Board does not need to be formally re-established as it remains extant.

Recommendations

1. To review and approve the allocation of seats on committees in accordance with the statutory requirements concerning political balance and to approve the appointment of Members (and substitutes) to serve on committees (full recommendations set out at the end of this report).

2. To appoint Chairs to the Committees/Commissions as proposed.

The Full Council considered a report seeking approval of the allocation of seats on committees in accordance with the statutory requirements concerning political balance.

The Lord Mayor moved the report and the recommendations contained therein.

The Deputy Lord Mayor seconded the motion.

RESOLVED:

1. Approved the allocation of committee seats as set out in the report.

2. Enquired if there have been any resignations from the Licensing Committee since the date of publication of this report and having done so invite nominations to fill all of the vacancies on the Committee. In confirming appointments to the Committee, the Full Council is asked to take full account of equalities duties and considerations, and to note that the political balance rules do not apply.

3. Agreed that all Members of Council be appointed to serve on an Appeals Committee comprising of any 3 Members of Council, subject to them having first received the necessary training and not having been involved in the original decision which is the subject of an appeal.

4. Agreed that the Council be represented (as per paragraph 14) on the following joint bodies:

- Joint Health Scrutiny Committee

- Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the purpose of jointly scrutinising the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Sustainability and Transformation Partnership

- West of England Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee

- Joint Overview and Scrutiny Arrangement comprising of the Constituent Councils of the West of England Combined Authority, the Mayor and North Somerset Council (“The Joint Overview and Scrutiny Arrangement”

- West of England Combined Authority Audit

5. Noted the position in relation to the membership of the Health and Wellbeing Board as per paragraph 15 of the report.

6. Agreed that named members will be provided for the Committee memberships by the party group Whips (to be sent to the Monitoring Officer). If named substitutes are not also provided, then any Councillor of the relevant group may attend a meeting as a substitute, other than in the case of:

- a Development Control Committee, where the substitute must be a member of another Development Control Committee (and be appropriately trained).

- any scrutiny commission, where the substitute may not be a member of the executive.

Recommendation: That Members note the Scrutiny Annual Report 22/23.

Full Council considered the Scrutiny Annual Report 2022/23.

Scrutiny Chair Councillor Tony Dyer moved the report and the recommendations contained therein.

There was a debate, and it was:

RESOLVED:

Full Council noted the Scrutiny Annual Report 2022/23.

Full Council considered the Committee Model Working Group Update report. 

Group Chair Councillor Jenny Bartle moved the report and the recommendations contained therein.

Group Vice Chair Councillor Geoff Gollop seconded the report.

There was a debate and it was:

RESOLVED:

Full Council approved the matters set out in paragraph 5 of this report.

5. The Working Group recommends that the following matters arising from the meetings on 31 March 2023 and 28 April 2023 should be incorporated into the Committee Model of governance:

5.1. The functions and responsibilities of Full Council will be as set out in Appendix A.

5.2. The functions and responsibilities of the Regulatory Committees will remain largely unchanged.

5.3. There will be 8 Policy Committees and they will be broadly aligned to the Corporate Strategy themes, as follows.

Adult Social Care Committee

Homes and Housing Delivery Committee

Public Health and Communities Committee

Economy and Skills Committee

Strategy and Resources Committee

Children and Young People Committee

Transport and Connectivity Committee

Environment and Sustainability Committee

5.4. The responsibilities of each of the Policy Committees will be as set out in Appendix B. This is an Indicative allocation, which may need further refinement prior to May 2024.

5.5. Policy committees will be able to delegate to sub-committees and officers.

5.6. There will be a standing Finance Sub-Committee established to consider budget development, which will report to the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee.

5.7. A standing Health Sub Committee will also be established, reporting to the Public Health and Communities Policy Committee.

5.8. Regular performance, risk and budget monitoring reports will be taken to each Policy Committee, with oversight being the responsibility of the Strategy and Resources Committee.

5.9. The roles and responsibilities of Councillors will be as set out in Appendix C.

5.10. The Chairs and Vice Chairs of Policy Committees and Regulatory Committees will be appointed by Full Council.