Agenda and minutes

The Lord Mayor welcomed all attendees to the meeting, and made a safety announcement in relation to the fire/emergency evacuation procedure.

Apologies were received from Councillors Keen, Lake, Lovell and Stevens.

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 were received.

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

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Full Council held on the 12^th November 2019 be confirmed as correct record and signed by the Lord Mayor

The Lord Mayor shared with Full Council the words and sentiments that she shared with new citizens at their British Citizenship Ceremonies. 

Please note: Up to 30 minutes is allowed for this item. Public forum items

should be e-mailed to democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk

Public forum items can be about any matter the Council is responsible for

or which directly affects the city.

Please note that the following deadlines apply to this meeting:

a. Public petitions and statements: Petitions and written statements must be received by 12 noon on Monday 16 December 2019 at latest.  One written statement per member of the public is permitted.

b. Public questions: Written public questions must be received by 5pm on Wednesday 11 December 2019 at latest.

A maximum of 2 questions per member of the public is permitted.

Questions should be addressed to the Mayor or relevant Cabinet Member.

Public petitions:

There were two public petitions received.

Public statements:

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

Please note: Up to 10 minutes is allowed for this item.

Petitions notified by Councillors can be about any matter the Council is responsible for or which directly affects the city.  The deadline for the notification of petitions to this meeting is 12 noon on Monday 16 December 2019.

The Full Council received and noted the following petitions:

The Full Council considered a report which presented the Mid-Year Treasury Management report for 2019-20.  This report meets the management regulatory requirement that the Council receive a mid-year Treasury review report.  It also incorporates the needs of the prudential code to ensure adequate monitoring of the capital expenditure plans.

Councillor Cheney moved the report and the recommendations contained therein.

Following debate, it was:

RESOLVED:

That the Mid-Year Treasury Management Report for 2019-20 be noted.

The Full Council considered the report which proposed the Medium Term Financial Plan and Capital Strategy.

Mayor Rees moved the report and the recommendations contained therein.  Councillor Cheney seconded the report.

Following debate it was:

NOTED:

1.      The economic outlook and projections within the 5-year MTFP.

2.      The Strategic planning approach.

APPROVED:

3.      Medium Term Financial Plan for the period 2020/2021 to 2024/2025

4.      Capital Strategy

The Full Council considered the proposed changes to the Council’s Procurement Rules.  The Procurement Rules establish the formal governance around how the Council procures, enters into and manages contracts with third parties.

Councillor Brain, Chair of Audit Committee, moved the report and the recommendations contained therein.

Councillor Fodor seconded the report.

Following debate, it was:

RESOLVED:

1.      That the proposed changes to the Procurement Rules be approved.

2.      That the Service Director Finance in conjunction with Director – Legal and Democratic Services are authorised to undertake any necessary updates or amendments to reflect changes in the law or to correct errors and/or to finalise drafting of the Procurement Rules and / or supporting guidance.

The Full Council considered the Policy and Budget Framework Procedure Rules as set out in the report.

Councillor Brain, Chair of Audit Committee, moved the report and the recommendations contained therein.

Councillor Jackson seconded the report, reserving his remarks.

Following debate, it was:

RESOLVED:

That the revisions to the Policy and Budget framework procedure rules be approved.

The Full Council considered a report which set out the proposed amendments to the definition of ‘key decision’ in the Constitution.

Councillor Brain, Chair of Audit Committee, moved the report and the recommendations contained therein.

Councillor Jackson seconded the report, reserving his remarks.

There was no debate and it was:

RESOLVED:

That the definition of ‘key decision’ in the Constitution be amended in accordance with Appendix A.

The Full Council considered a report which proposed the appointment of Councillor Tom Brook to the Licensing Committee.  Any vacancies on the Committee must be filled by Full Council in accordance with section 6 of the Licensing Act 2003.

The Lord Mayor moved the recommendation within the report.

Councillor Combley seconded the report.

There was no debate and it was:

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Tom Brook be appointed to serve on Licensing Committee.

Note:

Under the Council’s constitution, 30 minutes are available for the consideration of motions. In practice, this means not all of the motions listed below will be debated.  With the agreement of the Lord Mayor, motions 1 and 2 will be considered at this meeting, and motion 3 is likely to be debated, subject to time. Details of other motions submitted are also set out for information.

Please note that due to the pre-election period for the General Election on 12^th December 19, only the title and party relating to each motion is initially being published.  Full details, including the wording of each motion and the name of the proposer, will be published on 13^th December 19.

MOTIONS RECEIVED FOR FULL COUNCIL – 17^TH DECEMBER 19

1.      Abolition of the Position of Directly Elected Mayor – Conservative Group

2.      Gig Economy and Housing – Labour Group

3.      Bristol Airport Expansion – Green Group

4.      Wood Burners – Labour Group

5.      Fireworks – Labour Group

6.      Abolition of the Position of Directly Elected Mayor – Liberal Democrat Group

7.      Good Tax Conduct - Green Group

8.      Bus Services (Ownership and Congestion) - Green Group

9.      Clean Air Plan - Liberal Democrat Group

Following a short adjournment, it was then moved by the Lord Mayor that standing order CPR2.1(xi) be suspended to allow the meeting to go past the 30 minutes time limit for motions.  Following a vote it was agreed to proceed up until a 1 hour limit.

Motion 1 – The Need to Scrap Bristol’s Directly Elected Mayor

Councillor Weston moved the following motion:

“This Council believes that the city’s current governance arrangements of a directly- elected Mayor needs to be brought to an end at the earliest possible opportunity and an alternative form of Administration either Leader & Cabinet or more traditional Committee system reinstated.

Sadly, experience of rule by such Mayors over the last 7 years has failed to deliver many of the potential benefits of a switch to this system – namely significant financial savings, reinvigorating local democracy, more collaborative working and greater scrutiny/accountability of a single figurehead who was above political infighting.

In addition, developments since that time (for example moving from elections-by-thirds to citywide ward elections in 2016) have largely addressed perceived weaknesses in the former political structure which had led to a series of weak and unstable Administrations, and was a major factor in the narrow public vote to adopt an Elected Mayor in May 2012.

Furthermore, the creation of a Regional ‘Metro’ Mayor and West of England Combined Authority as part of the Government’s devolution agenda has rendered the increasingly expensive post of a City Mayor (and costly attendant office) largely redundant.

Under Legislation, the earliest Bristolians can vote again on this issue – through a local referendum - will be 2022 and, failing a formal resolution to hold such a poll, it will require a petition for this to take place raised by 5% of registered electors in the city.

Council supports the scrapping of this post and any move to initiate a referendum for its removal and calls on the present Mayor to reconsider his own commitment to what has proven in practice to be a profoundly divisive and autocratic Office.”

The motion was seconded by Councillor Steve Smith

Councillor Hopkins then moved the following amendment:

‘That the motion be amended to read as follows:

The Council believes that the city’s current governance arrangements of a directly- elected Mayor needs to be brought to an end at the earliest possible opportunity and an alternative form of Administration either Leader & Cabinet or more traditional Committee system reinstated.

Sadly, experience of rule by such Mayors over the last 7 years has failed to deliver many of the falsely promised benefits of a switch to this system – namely significant financial savings, reinvigorating local democracy, more money for BRISTOL, an invitation to Bristol and other Mayors to Downing Street to influence policy. more collaborative working and greater scrutiny/accountability of a single figurehead who was above political infighting.

In addition, developments since that time (for example moving from elections-by-thirds to citywide ward elections in 2016) have largely addressed perceived weaknesses in the former political structure and was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 407.