Changes to the way debates are held by Wokingham Borough Council’s committees and sub-committees have been approved.
The decision was made at a council meeting on Thursday, July 21.
In February this year, the council agreed a change to rules of debate which states that if no member wishes to speak against an item on the agenda, then the mayor or chairman would put it straight to a vote.
This affected many committees, including special council executive, audit, overview and scrutiny and licensing and appeals.
The constitutional working group felt this stifled the opportunity for any member, who is not against a particular recommendation but wishes to ask a question or raise a particular point, to do so.
The amendment means councillors are now able to speak, even if they are in favour of the recommendation.
However the rule, 4.2.13.1, will remain in place for full council meetings and special council executives.
Cllr Imogen Shepherd-Dubey, executive member for finance, said this is so “timing can still be managed”.
Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, leader of the Wokingham Conservative Group, believes the change isn’t strong enough.
She said: “Unfortunately we are unable to support this agenda item, not because we don’t agree with everything in it, but we don’t think it goes far enough.
“The motion changes special executive so the executive member can be present to answer questions, but the only way you can ask questions is to suggest you are against the motion.
“If you can’t ask questions, you can’t actually work out if you are against the motion.
“So this paper, as it stands, doesn’t make any sense at all.”
Cllr Prue Bray, executive member for children’s services, said she felt it was important for the special council rules to mirror the full council as far as possible.
But she did not rule out further changes in the future.
She said: “In the near future it is very likely that we will want council to consider a number of different amendments to the way full council meetings operate.
“At that point there is no reason why we should not consider 4.2.13.1 as part of that wider set of changes.
“Changing the rule for full council will then result in the change for the special council executive
“So saying no to changing special council executive now does not necessarily mean saying no forever.”
