Councillor Tuohy (Lord Mayor) introduced a procedural motion, seconded by Councillor Murphy (Deputy Lord Mayor) to suspend standing orders for the Chief Executive, Monitoring Officer and Head of Electoral Services to introduce and receive questions in relation to item 3 - Referendum for Proposed Alternative Executive Governance Arrangements. This motion was passed.

For (43)

Councillors Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Mrs Beer, Blight, Briars-Delve, Coker, Cresswell, Dann, Dingle, Evans OBE, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Holloway, Laing, Lawson, Loveridge, Lowry, Lugger, McCarty, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Murphy, Ney, P. Nicholson, S. Nicholson, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Raynsford, Ricketts, Simpson, M. Smith, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts and Wood.

Abstain (0)

Against (0)

Absent/Did Not Vote (6)

Councillors Allen, Cuddihee, Darcy, Hendy, Tofan and Tuohy

(Councillor Allen entered the meeting at 11:39)

(Councillor Hendy entered the meeting at 12:12)

Questions on the item were received from Councillors Lugger, Stevens, Penrose, M. Smith, Evans OBE, Stephens, Taylor, Moore, McCarty, Blight, Lawson, Gilmour, McLay, Laing, Cresswell, Goslin, Wood, Lowry, P. Nicholson, Dann, Holloway, Haydon, Penberthy, Briars-Delve, Noble, Raynsford and Allen.

Contributions to debate were received from Councillor Laing, M. Smith, Lugger, McLay, Stevens, Evans OBE, Holloway, P. Nicholson and Penberthy.

For (45)

Councillors Allen, Allison, Aspinall, Bannerman, Mrs Beer, Blight, Briars-Delve, Coker, Cresswell, Dann, Dingle, Evans OBE, Freeman, Gilmour, Goslin, Haydon, Hendy, Holloway, Laing, Lawson, Loveridge, Lowry, Lugger, McCarty, McLay, McNamara, Moore, Morton, Murphy, Ney, P. Nicholson, S. Nicholson, Noble, Penberthy, Penrose, Raynsford, Ricketts, Simpson, M. Smith, Steel, Stephens, Stevens, Taylor, Tippetts and Wood.

Abstain (0)

Against (0)

Absent/Did Not Vote (4)

Councillors Cuddihee, Darcy, Tofan and Tuohy.

The Council agreed to:

1.    Note the position concerning receipt of a valid petition, and the consequential process prescribed by legislation for a referendum to be held on 17 July 2025; 

2.    Agree that the following matters will remain in place until they can be reconsidered at the first meeting of the Council after the referendum in the event of a vote in favour of a Directly Elected Mayor: 

2.1 The current arrangements for the (local choice) functions specified in regulations under section 9D (3) (B) of the Local Government Act 2000 which are to be the responsibility of the executive;  

2.2 The current arrangements for Overview and Scrutiny; 

2.3 Whether the Directly Elected Mayor is to hold the Royal Charter title; 

2.4 The title by which the Directly Elected Mayor is to be known in the event the two roles are to remain; 

2.5 The length of the first term of office of the Directly Elected Mayor; 

3.    Agree the draft proposals in Appendix B for the operation of executive arrangements based on a Directly Elected Mayor and Cabinet form of governance, should this model be implemented as a consequence of the outcome of the referendum; 

4.    Note the draft Notice of Referendum and Information Statement to be published by the Proper Officer following approval by Council; 

5.    Note that, in the event of a vote in favour of a change to the Directly Elected Mayor form of governance in the referendum, that Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel be asked to make recommendations on the arrangements for remuneration that should apply to a Directly Elected Mayor Model and that the Panel’s report and recommendations be submitted to the Council for determination before a mayoral election in May 2026.