Members considered a motion in relation to public consultation on a change to Council’s governance system, notice of which was given in accordance with Standing Order A14.

It was proposed by Councillor Darling and seconded by Councillor Pentney:

This Council notes:

·        that in order to change its present system of governance it is required to hold a referendum of Torbay’s electorate;

·        the earliest any referendum can be held is July 2015 which is after the next local elections;

·        any referendum can only specify one alternative system of governance (i.e. committee system or leader and cabinet);  and

·        any referendum will incur a cost to the Council.

Therefore, this Council resolves that the Executive Head Business Services be requested to undertaken a public consultation exercise to determine:

(a)       Whether the public wish to change the present mayoral system of governance;  and

(b)       If so, what the preferred system of governance would be.

In accordance with Standing Order A14.3(a), the motion stood referred to the Mayor.  The Mayor did not accept the motion as he considered it was premature and there should be an opportunity for the public to express their views following the local and mayoral elections in May 2015.