MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

COUNCIL

21 SEPTEMBER 2011

REPORT OF THE STANDARDS COMMITTEE HELD ON

25 AUGUST 2011

      REQUEST FOR CABINET QUORUM TO BE REDUCED FROM FOUR     TO THREE

      The Monitoring Officer submitted details of a request by the Leader of the Council that the quorum for meetings of the Cabinet be reduced from four to three.  He explained that the Cabinet used to consist of the Leader plus six other Councillors with a quorum of four.  Although the Cabinet now consisted of the Leader plus four other Councillors, there had been no change to the quorum and this could potentially cause problems if two Members were unable to attend a meeting.  The Committee supported the proposed reduction in the quorum for meetings of the Cabinet believing that its implementation would fulfil the obligation to facilitate efficient and effective decision making.

      RECOMMENDED:  That the quorum for meetings of the Cabinet be reduced from four to three and that the Constitution be amended accordingly.

      The Standards Committee has, in accordance with Article 15.02(a) of the Constitution, evaluated the change to the Constitution requested by the Leader of the Council and believes that its implementation will help to ensure that the aims and principles of the Constitution are given full effect by putting in place arrangements to enable business to be transacted in the event of two Cabinet Members being unable to attend a Cabinet meeting, thus enabling decisions to be taken efficiently and effectively.