Also up for discussion at this month’s full council meeting was a revised Council Constitution (pdf).
The council’s Constitution sets out the rules for how the council is run.
Chair of the Democratic Services Committee, Cllr. Tim Thomas (Ind, St. Bride’s Minor & Ynysawdre) – who helped oversee the process of drafting the new Constitution – said that areas of focus included letting the public know their democratic rights and introducing a more equitable system for councillors to ask questions.
Cllr. Alex Williams (Ind, Pencoed & Penprysg) expressed frustration that the Leader and Cabinet members can continue to make announcements without facing questions from members. He didn’t table any amendments but asked for his view to be noted.
Two-thirds majority needed to remove Council Leader
One of the concerns with the new Constitution – raised by Cllr. Martin Williams (Ind, Coity Higher) – was a new requirement for two-thirds of councillors present to vote in favour of removing a Council Leader in a vote of no confidence.
While there’s no indication there would be a no-confidence vote in the current Leader anytime soon, Cllr. Williams argued that if a Council Leader couldn’t command the support of a majority of councillors – let alone a super-majority – they shouldn’t remain in post. He tabled an amendment to change this to a simple majority.
The amendment was backed by Cllr. Ross Penhale-Thomas (Ind, Maesteg West). He agreed that a two-thirds majority vote was too high for a no-confidence vote.
Cllr. Jonathan Pratt (Con, Newton) spoke against the amendment, saying there was precedent for a super-majority requirement in no-confidence votes. Decisions like this shouldn’t be taken lightly and it’s right that political stability was maintained. His view was backed by the council’s Monitoring Officer, Kelly Watson.
The amendment was rejected by 29 votes to 16.
Following the vote, Deputy Council Leader, Cllr. Jane Gebbie (Lab, Pyle, Kenfig Hill & Cefn Cribwr), said any objections should’ve been raised in the cross-party working group set up to revise the Constitution. She accused the opposition of failing to effectively communicate with each other.
