Protocol on Support for Opposition Groups
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- Introduction
- Group formation
- Facilities for opposition groups
- Spokespeople
- Briefings
- Cabinet, committees and Full Council
- Communications and engagement
1. Introduction
1.1
This protocol sets out the arrangements in place for all political groups on the council which do not form the administration.
1.2
Each such group constitutes an "Opposition Group" for the purposes of this protocol.
1.3
The largest group that is not part of the administration is known as the "Main Opposition Group".
2. Group formation
2.1
The creation and recognition of political groups shall be in line with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990.
3. Facilities for opposition groups
3.1
All opposition groups will be provided with:
- An appropriate room at County Hall, with appropriate facilities for ICT access, storage and meeting space.
- Access to meeting rooms for group meetings.
- Access to meeting rooms for political party business that directly supports the smooth operation of the county council.
3.2
The Leader of the Main Opposition Group on the county council will be provided with PA support and ancillary services such as stationery, printing, and photocopying.
3.3
The Leader of the Main Opposition Group may ask the Chief Executive to authorise for their PA support to be used by other spokespeople or group officers.
3.4
The Leader of the Main Opposition Group may ask the Chief Executive to authorise for their PA to be used by other opposition groups.
4. Spokespeople
4.1
All Opposition Groups may nominate spokespeople.
4.2
A spokesperson is entitled to ask for and receive briefings from the relevant officers, in line with the provisions on briefings set out below.
4.3
If no spokespeople are nominated by a group, then the Leader and Deputy Leader of the group are considered to be the spokespeople for the purposes of the provision of briefings.
4.4
The Main Opposition Group's spokespeople form the "Shadow Cabinet". The Shadow Cabinet should not consist of more members than the authority's Cabinet. The Main Opposition Group may also appoint the same number as Shadow Lead Members as are appointed by the Leader to be authority's Lead Members.
5. Briefings
5.1
Nominated Opposition Group spokespeople are entitled to request and receive regular briefings on issues of Council business to be considered by the Full Council, Cabinet, Cabinet Members, or committees. The briefing should be provided by the appropriate Director or their nominated representative.
5.2 All Opposition Groups
5.2.1
All Opposition Groups are therefore entitled to request briefings on:
- Matters which are due to be considered at a formal meeting of the Council.
- Details of future Key Decisions are published on the "Forthcoming Decisions" section of the intranet.
- Details of the scrutiny workplans for the year which are published with every scrutiny committee agenda.
5.2.2
Opposition Groups should contact the report author, Director or Executive Director to arrange a briefing. Briefings will be carried out by the appropriate Director of their representative.
5.2.3
Briefings will be with Leader / Deputy of the group or other nominated spokespeople.
5.3 Main Opposition Group
5.3.1
In addition to the above, the Main Opposition Group will be entitled to receive a briefing on the Cabinet agenda between the Cabinet agenda dispatch date and meeting date.
5.3.2
This briefing will be supported by Democratic Services and appropriate officers will attend.
5.3.3
Where possible, the Main Opposition Group should identify any specific matters on the agenda where a detailed briefing is required.
5.4 Officer responsibility
5.4.1
Democratic Services will support the Main Opposition Group's Cabinet briefing.
5.4.2
For other briefings requested by opposition group members, these will be coordinated and supported by each directorate.
5.4.3
Opposition Groups should contact Democratic Services if there are any concerns or difficulties with briefing arrangements.
6. Cabinet, committees and Full Council
6.1
The Leader and Deputy Leader of the Main Opposition Group may, as of right, attend Cabinet meetings and participate fully in discussion on all agenda items, but cannot vote, in accordance with the procedural standing orders.
6.2
All Opposition Groups will be entitled to submit question for Councillor Question Time at Full Council, in accordance with the procedural standing orders. Groups may submit more than one question, but any second question from a single group will only be asked once all other groups' first questions have been dealt with.
6.3
Opposition Groups collectively will have at least two slots available on Full Council agendas for Notices of Motion, on a first come first served basis, in accordance with the procedural standing orders.
6.4
At Budget Full Council, amendments to the budget report will be taken in order of group size. Where two groups have the same number of members, they will be asked to agree the order. If they are unable to agree, the Monitoring Officer will determine the order in which they are heard.
6.5
In relation to committee appointments and administration, groups will be dealt with in order of size. Therefore, in relation to committee seat allocations and the requirement to satisfy the pollical balance rules, the preferences of the Main Opposition Group will be considered first, followed by the other groups according to the number of members.
6.6
Where a member of an Opposition Group is included in the membership of a working group or other body that does not fall under the political balance requirements, this will be a member of the Main Opposition Group unless specified otherwise. The Main Opposition Group may decide not to take the place, in which case it will be offered to the other Opposition Groups in order of size.
6.7
Where two groups have the same number of members, they would be asked to agree between themselves the order of priority. Where they are unable to agree, the Monitoring Officer will determine the order.
7. Communications and engagement
7.1
Communication between Democratic Services and groups on matters that relate to the political administration of the authority will generally be through the Opposition Group Leader and Deputy, or, where they are appointed, Whip and Secretary
7.2
Questions about this protocol or its implementation should be referred to the Head of Democratic Services.
7.3
The Monitoring Officer's decision on the interpretation of this protocol is final.