Issue - meetings

Election of a Chair requested after the by-election in Queen Edith’s on 13 November, now South Area Committee is back to its full membership of nine City Council Members.

The position of Vice Chair is vacant.

The Committee Manager took the Chair whilst the South Area Committee elected a Chair.

Councillor Avery proposed, and Councillor Moore seconded, the nomination of Councillor Blackhurst as Chair.

Councillor Ashton proposed, and Councillor Dryden seconded, the nomination of Councillor Meftah as Chair.

Resolved (by 5 votes to 4) that Councillor Blackhurst be Chair for the remainder of the municipal year.

Councillor Blackhurst assumed the Chair from the Committee Manager at this point.

Councillor Ashton proposed, and Councillor Dryden seconded, the nomination of Councillor Meftah as Vice Chair.

Councillor Moore proposed, and Councillor Sanders seconded, the nomination of Councillor Pippas as Vice Chair.

Resolved (by 5 votes to 4) that Councillor Pippas be Vice Chair for the remainder of the municipal year.

Members asked for clarification why this item was on the agenda. The Committee Manager responded it had been requested by a Councillor, as possible due to the Queen Ediths’ by-election and procedure rules in the Cambridge City Council Constitution. The by-election meant that South Area Committee (SAC) was back to full membership, and so could elect a Chair and Vice Chair. It was noted this normally happened at the first meeting of the municipal year.

Councillor Ashton asked if all SAC Councillors would be invited to Chair briefings in future. This was not the case before Labour Councillors took the Chair role. The Chair said that all SAC Councillors would be invited to Chair briefings in future.