Agenda and decisions

To receive any apologies for absence.

To approve the minutes from the previous meeting.

To receive and note any declarations of interests in respect of any matters included on the agenda for consideration at this meeting.

(The other registrable interests of Councillors of Somerset Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes: City, Town & Parish Twin Hatters - Somerset Councillors 2023 )

The Chair to advise the Committee of any items on which members of the public have requested to speak and advise those members of the public present of the details of the Council’s public participation scheme.

For those members of the public who have submitted any questions or statements, please note, a three minute time limit applies to each speaker and you will be asked to speak before Councillors debate the issue.

We are now live webcasting most of our committee meetings and you are welcome to view and listen to the discussion. The link to each webcast will be available on the meeting webpage, please see details under ‘click here to join online meeting’.

To consider Somerset Council’s consultation arrangements for Stage 2 of the Local Government Boundary Commission’s Electoral Review.

Resolved that the Constitution and Governance Committee:

1)    Agreed to the establishment of a Boundary Review Working Group of 10 Members to consider a Council-wide response for submission to the LGBCE.

2)    Agreed that the Working Group comprise 5 Members of the Committee and 5 individual representatives from the Council’s political groups.

3)    Noted the composition of the Working Group set out in the report.

4)    Noted that it will receive a report from the Working Group at the Extraordinary Meeting of the committee in January.

To consider the results of the recent review of Somerset’s polling districts and polling places.

Resolved that the Constitution and Governance Committee considered the report on the Review’s proposal that no changes are made to the existing Parliamentary Polling Districts and Polling Places.

To consider the proposed review of Part B of the Council’s Constitution and the proposed amendments set out in Appendices 2 and 3 for recommendation to Full Council.

Resolved that the Constitution and Governance Committee considered the review of Part B of the Council’s Constitution and recommended the adoption of a Meeting Recording Retention Policy under points 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 by Full Council on 18^th December 2024, and that the Petition Scheme remained unaltered at this time but would be kept under review.

To consider the draft consultation response as set out in Appendix 1 ahead of submission to the Government consultation.

Resolved that the Constitution and Governance Committee considered and approved the draft consultation response as set out in Appendix 1 for the proposal for remote attendance but excluding the proposal for the use of proxy votes.

To consider the amendments to the SACRE Constitution and recommend adoption by Full Council.

Resolved that the Constitution and Governance Committee considered and approved the revised SACRE Constitution.

To consider the work programme and identify any changes.

Resolved that the Constitution and Governance Committee considered and commented on the work programme.