Agenda and minutes

A minutes silence was held in memory of Cllr Vivien Taylor.

The following motion, supported by Councillors I Amos, R Amos, Lady Atkins, Ballard, Balmain, Berry, B Birch, C Birch, Bowen, Bridge, Catterall, Ellison, Greenough, Henderson, Hodgkinson, Holden, Ibison, Ingham, Kay, Moon, Murphy, Orme, Ormrod, Pimbley, Robinson, V Taylor, A Turner, S Turner, A Vincent, Matthew Vincent, Michael Vincent, Walmsley and Wilson,has been submitted in accordance with the notice requirements set out in paragraph 14 of the Council Procedure Rules in Part 4.01 of the Constitution.

“That Councillor Peter Gibson be removed from the office of Leader of the Council with immediate effect.”

The following notice of motion, supported by Councillors I Amos, R Amos, Lady Atkins, Ballard, Balmain, Barrowclough, Berry, B Birch, C Birch, Bowen, Bridge, Catterall, Ellison, Greenhough, Henderson, Hodgkinson, Holden, Ibison, Ingham, Kay, Moon, Murphy, Orme, Ormrod, Pimbley, Robinson, V Taylor, S Turner, A Vincent, Matthew Vincent, Michael Vincent, Walmsley and Wilson, was submitted in accordance with paragraph 14 of the Council Procedure Rules in Part 4.01 of the Constitution:

“That Councillor Peter Gibson be removed from the office of Leader of the Council with immediate effect.”

The motion was proposed by Cllr A Vincent and seconded by Cllr Moon.

RESOLVED: (by 31 votes to 0) that Councillor Peter Gibson be removed from the office of Leader of the Council with immediate effect.

The following motion, supported by Councillors I Amos, R Amos, Lady Atkins, Ballard, Balmain, Berry, B Birch, C Birch, Bowen, Bridge, Catterall, Ellison, Greenough, Henderson, Hodgkinson, Holden, Ibison, Ingham, Kay, Moon, Murphy, Orme, Ormrod, Pimbley, Robinson, V Taylor, A Turner, S Turner, Matthew Vincent, Michael Vincent, Walmsley and Wilson,has been submitted in accordance with the notice requirements set out in paragraph 14 of the Council Procedure Rules in Part 4.01 of the Constitution.

1.     That, if the proposal to remove Cllr Peter Gibson as Leader is approved, Cllr Alan Vincent be appointed as interim Leader of the Council until 7 December 2017 at the latest.

2.    That, at the Council meeting on 7 December 2017 (or at an earlier extraordinary meeting of the Council convened for the purpose) a motion be submitted to dissolve the interim arrangement, remove Cllr Alan Vincent from the office of Leader of the Council and to appoint a Leader until the Annual Council meeting after the next election in May 2019.

(Note:  If this motion is approved, Cllr Alan Vincent will inform the Council that, until a longer term Leader is appointed, the other members of the Cabinet will be Councillors Berry, Bowen, Henderson, Murphy, and V Taylor, that they will retain their former portfolio holder responsibilities and that Cllr A Vincent will himself undertake the responsibilities of the Resources Portfolio Holder.  Cllr A Vincent will also inform Council who the designated Deputy Leader will be for the interim period.

The following notice of motion, supported by Councillors I Amos, R Amos, Lady Atkins, Ballard, Balmain, Barrowclough, Berry, B Birch, C Birch, Bowen, Bridge, Catterall, Ellison, Greenhough, Henderson, Hodgkinson, Holden, Ibison, Ingham, Kay, Moon, Murphy, Orme, Ormrod, Pimbley, Robinson, V Taylor, S Turner, Matthew Vincent, Michael Vincent, Walmsley and Wilson, was submitted in accordance with paragraph 14 of the Council Procedure Rules in Part 4.01 of the Constitution:

1.  “That, if the proposal to remove Cllr Peter Gibson as Leader is approved, Cllr Alan Vincent be appointed as interim Leader of the Council until 7 December 2017 at the latest.”

2. “That, at the Council meeting on 7 December 2017 (or at an earlier extraordinary meeting of the Council convened for the purpose) a motion be submitted to dissolve the interim arrangement, remove Cllr Alan Vincent from the office of Leader of the Council and to appoint a Leader until the Annual Council meeting after the next election in May 2019.”

The motion was proposed by Cllr Henderson and seconded by Cllr Murphy.

Following a debate, the motion was carried (by 31 votes to 8) and it was

RESOLVED:

1. “That Cllr Alan Vincent be appointed as interim Leader of the Council until 7 December 2017 at the latest.”

2. “That, at the Council meeting on 7 December 2017 (or at an earlier extraordinary meeting of the Council convened for the purpose) a motion be submitted to dissolve the interim arrangement, remove Cllr Alan Vincent from the office of Leader of the Council and to appoint a Leader until the Annual Council meeting after the next election in May 2019.”

Cllr A Vincent referred to the incredibly sad and sudden death the previous day of Vivien Taylor.  His comments were endorsed by Cllr Beavers. 

Cllr Vincent said that he would consider arrangements for the appointment of a replacement Health and Community Engagement Portfolio in due course and inform Council accordingly.

Cllr Vincent confirmed that, in the meantime, the members of his Cabinet would be Councillors Berry, Bowen, Henderson and Murphy, who would each retain their former portfolio holder responsibilities and, that he would himself undertake the responsibilities of the Resources Portfolio Holder.  He announced that the Deputy Leader until 7 December 2017 would be Cllr Bowen.