Agenda and minutes
PDF 50 KBVenue: Council Chamber, Council Offices, Woodgreen, Witney, Oxfordshire OX28 1NB. View directions
Contact: Democratic Services
Note: This meeting will begin on the rising of the ordinary full Council meeting which starts at 2pm and no later than 4pm
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Apologies for Absence To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies had been received from Councillors Thomas Ashby, Edward James, Martin McBride and Carl Rylett. |
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Declarations of Interest To receive any declarations from Members of the Committee on any items to be considered at the meeting. Minutes: There were no declarations of interest. |
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Participation of the Public There were no submissions for public participation received by Democratic Services before the deadline of 12.00pm on Monday 20 January 2025.
Minutes: There was no participation of the public. |
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Frequency of Elections in West Oxfordshire Purpose To invite Council to take a formal decision to change the electoral cycle to whole-Council elections every four years from May 2027 (which will require a 2/3 majority at this specially convened meeting), following the in principle decision taken unanimously at the 27 November 2024 full Council meeting.
Recommendation That Council resolves to: 1. Agree to change the cycle for electing councillors to West Oxfordshire District Council from elections by thirds to whole-Council elections, to commence in May 2027. Minutes: The purpose of the item was to invite Council to take a formal decision to change the electoral cycle to whole-Council elections every four years from May 2027 (which would require a 2/3 majority at the specially convened meeting), following the in-principle decision taken unanimously at the 27 November 2024 full Council meeting. Councillor Alaric Smith, the Chair of the Constitution Working Group, proposed accepting the recommendations. The Executive Member explained that the Council had agreed to retain the size of 49 members, which required the Council to amend its electoral cycle to all out elections every four years. Councillor Smith explained that the recommendation was being amended in response to the English Devolution White Paper, which included plans to replace district and county councils in two-tier areas with new unitary authorities. The recommendation would now be subject to the electoral review of West Oxfordshire going ahead. Councillor Andy Graham seconded the recommendations. In discussing the item, it was raised that the Council may cease to exist by 2027, which would make the resolutions unnecessary. The resolutions were being considered on the basis that the Boundary Commission had advised the Council to submit its proposals regardless of the English Devolution White paper. The recommendation was put to a vote and was agreed unanimously by Council, satisfying the requirement for a 2/3 majority. Resolved that Council:
Voting record – For 44, against 0, abstentions 0, did not vote 0
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