THE agreement between the Liberal Democrats, Labour and independent councillors to form the Wokingham Borough Partnership has been released.
Following the local elections on Thursday, May 5, Wokingham councillors approved a Liberal Democrat-run administration after a partnership was formed with Labour and the two independent councillors to form a majority.
The agreement which the partnership is built on has now been released and can be read below in full:
This partnership memorandum is made between the independent councillors, the Labour councillors, and the Liberal Democrat councillors on Wokingham Borough Council.
The groups have agreed a partnership to ensure the effective governance of Wokingham Borough Council.
They will work together in the best interests of residents in the context of persistent lack of funding from central government and increasing demand for council services.
The partnership memorandum is founded on democratic principles of trust, openness and fairness and the partnership is committed to enabling and supporting the delivery of services to residents, communities, and businesses in Wokingham.
The partnership memorandum will take effect from Monday, May 16, and will last for the municipal year 2022-23.
The partnership can be terminated if there is irretrievable breakdown in confidence that the partners can deliver the content and spirit of this memorandum.
1. PRINCIPLES
1.1 The Leaders of each Partner shall ensure that all members of their respective groups observe the spirit and intent of this Partnership Memorandum.
1.2 Partners agree to work together, but it does not stop Partner Councillors voting in accordance with their conscience, but all Partner Councillors will have regard to the spirit of cooperation in the interests of residents.
1.3 Should there be any disagreement between the Partners or their Councillors then every effort will be made to resolve matters in good faith in the spirit of this Partnership Memorandum.
1.4 In any event, this Partnership Memorandum shall not operate so as to fetter the statutory duties of the Council and its governance, which is duly established by law and enshrined in the Council’s constitution.
1.5 All groups believe the council should be a fair employer and should treat its staff fairly at all times.
2. GOVERNANCE
2.1 The Liberal Democrat group will form the Council’s Executive in accordance with the Council’s constitution.
2.2 The Partners support the establishment of effective governance within the Council through the following nominations to roles.
(i) Councillor Clive Jones as Leader of the Council,
(ii) Councillor Caroline Smith as Civic Mayor.
