THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN COUNCIL
MINUTES of an extraordinary meeting held on
6th December, 2006.
Present: Councillor N.P. Hodges
(Mayor); Councillors Ms. M.E. Alexander, R.J. Bertin, Ms. R.M.
Birch, Ms. L. Burnett, Mrs. J.E. Charles, P. Church, Mrs. C.V.L.
Clay, J. Clifford, Miss J. Cole, G.A. Cox, R.F. Curtis, A.D.
Dobbinson, S.C. Egan, A.M. Ernest, C.P. Franks, N.J. Gibbs, E.
Hacker, A.D. Hampton, Mrs. V.M. Hartrey, M.R. Harvey, H.J.W. James,
T.H. Jarvie, G. John, F.T. Johnson, Mrs. M. Kelly Owen, G.C. Kemp,
Mrs. A.J. Moore, N. Moore, C.L. Osborne, A.G. Powell, Mrs. A.J.
Preston, Mrs. M. Randall, A.J. Readman, Mrs. S.I. Sharpe, B.I.
Shaw, K.R. Stockdale, J.W. Thomas, W.C. Vaughan, S.T. Wiliam, Mrs.
M.R. Wilkinson, A.C. Williams, A.J. Williams, C.J. Williams, E.T.
Williams and M.R. Wilson.
598
APOLOGY FOR ABSENCE -
This was received from Councillor Mrs. M.E.J.
Birch.
599
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST -
No declarations were received.
600
NOTICE OF MOTION: REMOVAL OF LEADER -
The following Notice of Motion, standing in
the names of Councillors S.C. Egan and Mrs M.R. Wilkinson, was
discussed by the Council
“To remove the Leader of the Council,
Councillor Jeffrey James and to elect Councillor Margaret Alexander
as Leader of the Council”.
Councillor Egan, in introducing the Notice of
Motion, considered that Leader should have already resigned as a
result of the vote of no confidence previously taken. He
considered every week that went by under what he considered a
discredited administration, as representing further time passing
with issues left unresolved. He reminded Council that it was
not just the Leader but the whole of the Cabinet in which the vote
of no confidence had been passed. Councillor Egan felt there
to now be an opportunity to move forward under a new administration
, with Councillor Ms. Alexander as Leader. He alluded to her
time as Mayor when she had commanded the total respect of all
parties and how committed she was in trying to do the best for the
electorate. He felt she would be an ideal Leader, totally
committed to tackling injustice and promoting equality. He
referred to the election of a female Leader as being long
overdue.
Councillor Wilkinson, in seconding the Motion,
referred to the Leader as having lost the faith of and, together
with the Cabinet, as failing in their duty to, the people of the
Vale. She referred to Councillor Ms. Alexander as well liked
and respected, with her commitment to the Council well known and as
realising that, with no overall control, she would have to work
with other Members in order to make a much needed difference in the
way services were provided to the people of the Vale. She was
willing to work in such a manner and was calling on Plaid Cymru and
the Independent Group to join Labour in forming a
Cabinet.
Councillor A.J. Williams expressed concern
regarding the record of the previous Labour administration, and he
pointed out that approximately 50% of that administration were
currently Members of the Council. He referred to specific
comments made by the District Auditor regarding a “culture of fear”
prevailing during the previous Labour administration. He felt
the current administration to have put the Council on a proper
footing, regaining public respect and confidence. He defended
and commended the performance of the Leader and referred to
excellent reports received from the District Auditor.
The Leader expressed sadness regarding the
activities of certain members at the last special Council meeting
and personal attacks on him made at this meeting. He
indicated that during his time as Leader, he had maintained the
confidence of Plaid Cymru. Therefore, if the Motion was
carried, it would either be because he had lost that confidence or,
perhaps, that they had chosen to change from one administration to
another. He felt he and his Members had endured with a degree
of dignity some very slanderous and personal attacks by members of
the Labour Group. Whilst Social Services was overspent, and
had been for some years, every Council in Wales was suffering the
same problems. Action had already been taken to address
matters with the Chief Executive required to come up with a way
forward by Christmas. The overspend had already been reduced
by £400,000. No Council could sustain a department
overspending at such a rate without it having a detrimental effect
on the whole Council and, therefore, whoever was Leader would be
faced with the same difficult tasks and tough decisions. The
Leader indicated he had chosen to take the action now underway
which he thought to be in the best interests of the Council and the
people served. He had worked tirelessly as Leader of this
Council for seven years representing the Council at the highest
level - WAG, Welsh Local Government Association/LACORS and in other
capacities. He had occupied a very prominent role in politics
in Wales and felt the public would recognise that the Council had
made fantastic progress. As a result he considered it
unnecessary to have to defend his performance as Leader.
The Leader referred to a lack of positive
contributions from the Labour Group regarding addressing the Social
Services issues. The Action Plan had been sent by Cabinet to
two Scrutiny Committees. A successful meeting of Scrutiny
Committee (Community Wellbeing and Safety) had taken place in the
Memorial Hall, but neither Committee had considered the Action Plan
itself in detail. The Leader also reminded Members it had
been he who had asked that the Action Plan also be referred to
Audit Committee.
Referring to having no regrets and to his
colleagues and himself having worked tirelessly for the Council,
the Leader indicated that, whatever the outcome of the Notice of
Motion, he would continue to work in the best interest of the
Council and to represent his ward. He expressed hope that
whoever led the Council had the support of all Members of the
Council because if he had enjoyed such support, even more progress
could have been made.
Councillor Franks also expressed regret
regarding personal comments being made at the meeting, and felt
that the focus should be on policy and delivery rather than
individuals. The policy of Plaid Cymru for many years had
been that, given the hung nature of the Council, an all-party
Cabinet was the solution. This would allow difficult
decisions to be taken whilst at the same time protecting the
vulnerable in society. He referred to financial difficulties
other than within Social Services, including within Leisure
Services and Lifelong Learning. However, the Council’s
achievements also need to be acknowledged. The Town Hall had
opened, excellent school results were being obtained, the new
library was almost ready, school exclusions had dramatically
reduced, sports buildings had been provided in Penarth and
Cadoxton.
He felt there to be little support for an
all-party solution to the issues. He referred to reasons why
Plaid Cymru could not realistically support either the Labour or
Conservative Group alone. Having supported the Motion of no
confidence he referred to the Labour Group as having been given the
opportunity of leading the Council and being the voice of the
Council on the Welsh Local Government Association and other
important bodies. Whilst understanding the historical
antagonism that had existed Councillor Franks felt it to be the
time to compromise. Should the Motion be rejected a
Conservative Cabinet would remain. However, should the Motion
be carried, he questioned the sustainability, of a Group of only 16
Members being able to run the Council. In conclusion he
referred to the need for additional funding from WAG.
Councillor Bertin felt the Council to be in a
major crisis and crying out for a change. Anger was
increasing regarding the proposed major cuts to Social
Services. He felt the current administration to have let the
Council down and he urged both the Plaid Cymru Group and
Independent Group to support the Motion.
Councillor Curtis felt that the Leader should
have already resigned, thereby avoiding a need to duplicate much of
the debate from the last meeting. He disputed the entirely
negative image of the previous Labour administration
portrayed. He felt the future, not the past, to be the most
important issue. Despite being a critic of Plaid Cymru in the
past, Councillor Curtis confirmed his willingness to work in
partnership.
Councillor Mrs. Kelly Owen outlined her
reservation regarding a possible return to the style of the
previous Labour administration. She felt there to have been
no solution suggested by the proposers of the Motion.
Councillor Wiliam felt that the politics of
intimidation had to stop. He believed that the people of the
Vale wanted an all-party Cabinet and that they cared more about
service delivery than who delivered them. He understood there
to be people in every Group who were passionate about delivering
good Social Services. He felt that the time to compromise
might have arrived.
Councillor Ms. Alexander stated she had agreed
to the Motion as she felt most strongly that the Conservative Group
had given insufficient priority to Social Services. She felt
the new Action Plan drawn up to be a direct result of opposition
pressure. She acknowledged that many difficult decisions
would need to be made, likely to affect all sections of the
Council. If fortunate enough to obtain the support of Plaid
Cymru and the Independent Group, nothing would be left
unturned. She queried whether Plaid Cymru would assume joint
responsibility with the Labour Group and, possibly, with the
Independent Group in order to plan a decent future for the
vulnerable of the area. Councillor Alexander referred to
being able to offer the services of herself and hardworking
team.
In conclusion, she expressed concern regarding
a Conservative Group leaflet recently circulated within Llantwit
Major. She disputed aspersions cast against individual
members of her Group. Whilst unhappy with what had happened
in the last Labour administration she reminded Members that an
independent panel had addressed the matter.
Councillor John, in also referring to the
above leaflet felt it to have done the Conservatives a lot of
damage in Llantwit Major. He considered there to be a lack of
democracy on the Council and the Cabinet system to be the most
undemocratic system any Council could have. He felt there was
a lack of communication.
Councillor Gibbs indicated he intended to
attempt to be positive. One of the ways to help Social
Services was to work co-operatively with the Local Health Board and
other local health bodies. He considered the Leader’s
resignation from the LHB to be disappointing because that indicated
the issue was not a top priority. Whilst feeling able to work
with the Independent and Plaid Cymru Groups, he felt the
Conservative Group should not be involved, having failed as an
administration.
Councillor Gibbs felt that the Leader and
Cabinet should, by now, have resigned and that they had shown a
disregard for the feelings of the Council. He felt the Labour
Group should acknowledge the need for compromise and embrace a
multi-party Cabinet alongside the Plaid Cymru and Independent
Groups.
Councillor Harvey referred to attacks on the
integrity of the Leader and then proceeded to speak in some detail
regarding events, and the involvement of certain Members in such
events, during the previous Labour administration.
Councillor Readman, whilst supporting the
Motion, was uneasy about the Labour party declining to support an
all-party Cabinet. He desired a change of leadership but also
an all-party Cabinet. He referred to previous events as
having occurred nine years ago, since when the Council had greatly
improved. However, he considered the Cabinet to have sat on
an escalating deficit in the Social Services budget, now topping
£5m. and failing to come to grips with it despite extreme unease
expressed by the Scrutiny Committees and felt leadership to have
been lacking. Scrutiny Committee recommendations were often
treated with apparent contempt and/or merely noted. Cabinet
seemed prepared to accept a report recommending major cuts to the
funding of most of the Council’s voluntary sector partners, a
proposal which would eventually mean the Council incurring
additional expenditure.
Councillor Dobbinson expressed concern
regarding earlier remarks made by Councillor Harvey. He asked
Councillor Harvey to reflect on what he had said and to seize the
opportunity to withdraw his remarks. He felt that, clearly,
there was a majority of the members of the Council who had lost
confidence in the Executive and the Leader of the Council. As
a result, he could not accept a proposal which would re-embrace the
same Group in an all-party Cabinet. The Council had an
opportunity to introduce change in its leadership and
direction.
Councillor Mrs. Randall felt there to be a
need for new political leadership and direction to address the very
serious financial problems facing the Council. Acknowledging
the significant progress made under the leadership of Councillor
James she felt the Social Services £5.5m. overspend in particular
was so serious as to warrant fresh thinking and new ideas at the
political executive level. An all-party Cabinet representing
the collective wisdom and different party political viewpoints was
much more likely to come up with effective solutions demanding
widespread support both inside and outside the Council.
Councillor Hacker spoke in support of the
Motion.
Councillor Powell reminded the Leader of the
very recent vote of no confidence in him by the Council.
Councillor Powell also alluded to the lack of a female member on
the Cabinet. Again alluding to an earlier point regarding the
ability of a group of only 16 Members to run the Council, he
pointed out that this was, in fact, only four members less than the
Conservative Group. He felt there could be no effective
opposition if the Conservative Group also held places on the
Cabinet.
Councillor Stockdale stated he regretted the
constant references to the past and, in supporting the motion,
reminded Members of the need to work for the future.
Councillor N. Moore considered it clear that
the Cabinet had lost the confidence of the Council and of the
people, especially those most vulnerable. Alluding to various
remarks made against those Labour members who were in the previous
administration, he felt none were able to be substantiated.
Councillor Moore also alluded to the role of the independent
committee in addressing issues under the previous
administration. In addition, he referred to the District
Auditor’s comments at the time regarding Members being given
inadequate information on which to make decisions. He
referred to the existence of all-party working groups which had
assisted the work of the Cabinet. Councillor Moore also felt
that the attempt to address the current overspend had been
galvanised by opposition groups’ pressure.
Councillor Kemp referred Members to problems
he felt had existed under the previous Labour administration with
regard to Social Services and Education expenditure, including the
need for redundancies. He also referred to the Social
Services overspend having come to the attention of Scrutiny
Committees on many occasions but pointed out that the Committees’
response had often been to merely note the position. He felt
there to have been a lack of constructive advice or suggestion from
the Scrutiny Committees. However, Cabinet had looked at the
issue and begun to take action regarding the projected
overspends. He accepted that the Action Plan put forward was
not the best and reminded Members that the Chief Executive had been
asked to address the matter.
Councillor Johnson felt it was easy for
certain Cabinet Members to blame the Scrutiny Committees, but
pointed out that the largest single group representation on any
Scrutiny Committee was that of the Conservative Group.
In summing up, Councillor Egan pointed out
that the additional funding provided to Social Services had been
agreed by all Members as an interim measure. However, Cabinet
had subsequently failed to resolve the issue. He disputed the
suggestion that Scrutiny Committees had failed to contribute to the
process and quoted specific examples of recommendations to
Cabinet. He referred to the Scrutiny Committee held in the
Memorial Hall when the public and representatives of the voluntary
organisations provided a first hand account of the
difficulties. If the cuts went ahead, it would cost this
Council more to provide certain services than the voluntary
sector. The Labour Group, if part of a new Cabinet, would
consult with, and involve local people in addressing the problems
faced. He acknowledged there were no easy answers, but felt
that a difference could be made. New approaches and ideas
were needed. He felt there to be a need for an effective
opposition in order for a Cabinet to work efficiently, a role which
could be undertaken by the Conservative Party. He felt there
to be an opportunity to make a real difference, by the creation of
a partnership with Plaid Cymru and the Independent Group.
Upon request by the required number of members
a recorded vote took place in respect of the Motion, with voting
taking place as follows and it being
RESOLVED - T H A T the Motion be carried.
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For the Motion
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Against the Motion
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Abstain
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Councillor
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Councillor
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Councillor
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Ms. M.E. Alexander
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Mrs. J.E. Charles
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C.P. Franks
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R.J. Bertin
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P. Church
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Mrs. V.M. Hartrey
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Ms. R.M. Birch
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Mrs. C.V.L. Clay
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N.P. Hodges
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Ms. L. Burnett
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J. Clifford
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C.J. Williams
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Miss. J. Cole
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G.A. Cox
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R.F. Curtis
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A.M. Ernest
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A.D. Dobbinson
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A.D. Hampton
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S.C. Egan
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M.R. Harvey
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N.J. Gibbs
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H.J.W. James
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E. Hacker
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T.H. Jarvie
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G. John
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Mrs. M. Kelly Owen
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F.T. Johnson
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G.C. Kemp
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Mrs. A.J. Moore
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C.L. Osborne
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N. Moore
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Mrs. A.J. Preston
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A.G. Powell
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Mrs. S.I. Sharpe
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Mrs. M. Randall
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J.W. Thomas
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A.J. Readman
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W.C. Vaughan
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B.I. Shaw
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A.C. Williams
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K.R. Stockdale
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A.J. Williams
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Mrs. M.R. Wilkinson
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E.T. Williams
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S.T. Wiliam
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M.R. Wilson
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22
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20
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4
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At this point, it was agreed that a short
recess occur prior to consideration of the next item.
601
NOTICE OF MOTION: FORMATION OF ALL-PARTY CABINET -
The following Notice of Motion, standing in
the names of Councillor C.P. Franks and B.I. Shaw, was
discussed:
“That Council calls for an all-party Cabinet
to be formed at this meeting”.
Councillor Franks, in introducing the Motion,
considered it unsustainable that the Labour Group, comprising of 16
Members could manage the Council given the problems faced. He
pointed out that the electorate had not given any party overall
control and that both the Conservative and Labour Groups had lost
seats at the last election. He challenged the Labour Group’s
ability/willingness to enter into an all-party Cabinet arrangement,
but presented the proposal as an opportunity for change. At
this point, Councillor Franks moved an amendment to the Motion so
that it read “That an all-party Cabinet be formed”.
The Mayor indicated that given the need to
accord with the Constitution, he would accept the amendment.
Councillor Shaw, as seconder, also confirmed his approval.
Councillor Shaw, in seconding the Motion,
referred to the hung nature of the Council. He suggested that
the electorate were less interested in party rule than in Members
working together in their interests.
Councillor Ms. Alexander indicated she looked
forward to working with the Plaid Cymru and Independent Groups and
referred to the time available prior to the Annual Meeting in 2007
in which to tackle the overspend.
Councillor Curtis believed strongly that an
all-party Cabinet had a serious flaw in that it would mean no
effective opposition. He felt it made no sense to have passed
a vote of no confidence only to then embrace the Conservative Group
in an all-party Cabinet.
Councillor Wiliam referred to major
difficulties facing the Council from now until the end of the
Council’s term in May 2008. Plaid Cymru was willing to take
on the task of rebuilding the Council but he considered an
all-party, as opposed to multi-party, Cabinet to be the best
option. He felt there to be a need to acknowledge that there
was experience and expertise in every party and that meant a need
to draw on the best people from all parties to run the Council
successfully. He felt the Conservative Group had shown great
dignity during the debate.
Councillor Hartrey indicated she concurred
with the sentiments expressed by the previous two speakers.
Councillor James expressed his gratitude to
that he and his Members had been described as showing
dignity. He trusted that they had done so during the length
of their administration. As to why resignations had not
followed the vote of no confidence, he indicated that, to some
extent, he had been led to believe that whilst some members were
voting for the vote of no confidence, that really was not truly
what was felt. Notwithstanding that, the Council had voted
for a change in administration tonight and that change in
administration had been on the basis of a vote of no confidence in
himself, his Cabinet and party. Referring to Members of the
Labour Group saying they could not work with the Conservative Group
on a Cabinet, the same was true in reverse. The Conservative
Group would vote against the Motion because if the decision of
Council was that Margaret Alexander be the Leader and the
Constitution provided that the Leader select the Cabinet, then the
Labour Group should form the administration. The Conservative
Group would go into opposition honourably and would be seeking
positions such as Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Scrutiny Committees
but would not be party to delivering Plaid Cymru’s national policy
in the Vale of Glamorgan.
Councillor Bertin felt there to be a need for
a meaningful opposition and to being unable to work with a party in
whom a vote of confidence had been expressed.
In response to a Member’s query, the Mayor
indicated his understanding that under the Constitution, the
formation of the Cabinet was a matter for the Leader.
Basically, if the Motion was carried, the Leader would need to
decide on the composition of the Cabinet.
The Monitoring Officer confirmed the
Constitution provided for the Leader to select the Cabinet.
WAG guidance stated that “the Leader can either choose a single
party Cabinet, a Cabinet which reflects the overall political
balance of a Council or any other combination as the Leader sees
fit”. If the Motion was carried, and the Leader decided not
to form a Cabinet from all parties, then Members might wish to
change the Constitution at a future date.
In summing up, Councillor Franks referred to
the continuing ill feeling between the Labour and Conservative
Groups as not helping the clients of Social Services. He felt
there to be a need to pull together to try to resolve the
difficulties faced. Whilst having no confidence in the
Conservative Group, he acknowledged they could not just be written
off, given the Group comprised 20 Members. He referred to the
two groups working together on other public bodies and on governing
bodies.
In conclusion, he alluded to WAG having called
for co-operation between Councils and to the risk faced by the
Council if partnership working was not embraced.
Upon request by the required number of
Members, a recorded vote took place in respect of the amended
Motion, with voting taking place as follows and it being
RESOLVED - T H A T the Motion be not
carried.
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For the Motion
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Against the Motion
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Abstain
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Councillor
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Councillor
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Councillor
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C.P. Franks
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Mrs. J.E. Charles
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Ms. M.E. Alexander
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E. Hacker
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P. Church
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R.J. Bertin
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Mrs. V.M. Hartrey
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Mrs. C.V.L. Clay
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Ms. R.M. Birch
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N.P. Hodges
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J. Clifford
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Ms. L. Burnett
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G. John
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Miss. J. Cole
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R.F. Curtis
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Mrs. M. Randall
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G.A. Cox
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A.D. Dobbinson
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A.J. Readman
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A.M. Ernest
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S.C. Egan
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B.I. Shaw
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A.D. Hampton
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N.J. Gibbs
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K.R. Stockdale
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M.R. Harvey
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F.T. Johnson
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S.T. Wiliam
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H.J.W. James
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Mrs. A.J. Moore
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C.J. Williams
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T.H. Jarvie
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N. Moore
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Mrs. M. Kelly Owen
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A.C. Powell
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G.C. Kemp
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Mrs. M.R. Wilkinson
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C.L. Osborne
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M.R. Wilson
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Mrs. A.J. Preston
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Mrs. S.I. Sharpe
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J.W. Thomas
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W.C. Vaughan
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A.C. Williams
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A.J. Williams
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E.T. Williams
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11
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21
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14
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