The agenda for tonight’s Full Council meeting is incredibly light. Apart from the usual standard items of chairman’s report, official announcements etc, there are no additional tabled items.
In fact, the agenda was considered so light by someone at the council that they thought maybe it should be cancelled. Update: We’re informed that the Chairman was unaware of this at the time.
Given that there is no Full Council meeting in December, this would’ve meant a gap of 98 days between the October (19th) and January (25th) meetings.
Full council meetings not only allow for the public to ask questions of the council, but also allows councillors to ask questions of the Cabinet members.
No Cabinet meeting this month
The fact that there is no Cabinet meeting this month either, would have resulted in no opportunity for the public or members to ask questions of the council.
Cllr Ian Stephens told VB he was unhappy to hear last week of the proposed cancellation of the meeting, so got in touch with Committee Services pointing out the following.
I have spoken with Independent Members of the IWC and we feel that the November meeting is important in giving the opportunity for Members to receive reports and updates from the Cabinet, whilst also providing the opportunity of raising concerns through Members Questions.
We also feel that the November Meeting allows Members of the Public to ask questions of IWC Cabinet Members and feel that it is wrong to deny the opportunity during this month at Full Council, as the Cabinet Meeting for this month has been cancelled.
The absence of Full Council in December and the next scheduled meeting would be in January would mean that a three month period would elapse prior at a time when outcomes and budgets are being considered.
We therefore request that November Full Council is held as scheduled.
