Issue - meetings

The Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee introduced the report which stood recommended from his Committee, and sought Council approval to adopt the revised Member Officer Protocol.

He explained that in light of new guidance received from the Local Government Association dated November 2025, the previous protocol had been reviewed and updated, with a revised document considered by the Governance and Audit Committee on 10 March 2026, and was now recommended to Council before adoption. A summary of the key changes were detailed in section two of the report, and, if approved, it was intended to socialise the document across the organisation's wider management team which would include a political awareness training session being provided for officers at management level, and a session for all Members on the content of the document.

Having been moved and seconded by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee, and with no further speakers, the Chairman of the Council took the vote and it was

RESOLVED that the recommendation from the Governance and Audit Committee be accepted, and the Member Officer Protocol be approved for adoption. 

The committee received a report seeking consideration of the revised Member and Officer Protocol and seeking its recommendation for approval at the full Council meeting. 

Members welcomed the document and requested that it was widely shared with members and officers so that it was fully understood by all. In response it was confirmed that political awareness training would be provided and once it was approved it would be widely promoted.

RESOLVED:

That the revised Member and Officer Protocol be RECOMMENDED to full Council for

approval.