Motion from Councillor Peter Roberts
That Council resolves that the ability to work from home becomes normal practice for Officers and Councillors if they request it and where it is appropriate.
Minutes:
The Chair advised that a minor amendment to the motion from Councillor Peter Roberts had been circulated as part of a Supplementary Agenda to Members.
b) Motion from Councillor Peter Roberts:
That Council resolves that the ability to work from home becomes normal practice for Officers and Councillors if they request it and where it is appropriate.
Councillor Peter Roberts spoke further in support of the motion he had moved, believing that the motion would allow officers and Members better work/life balance than before the Coronavirus pandemic. He felt it would also be better for the environment, cut down staff travel expenses, and ultimately make officers and Members more productive.
Councillor Dan Salt seconded the motion and reserved the right to speak.
Councillor Duncan McGregor spoke on the motion and stated he would not support it because he felt that the substantive motion a) now covered the points in the motion by Councillor Peter Roberts. He added that the review from that substantive motion would seek to include ideas from Members just like the ones in Councillor Peter Roberts’ motion.
Councillor Ross Walker spoke of his support for the motion and hoped Council would carry it.
Councillor Liz Smyth spoke on the motion and stated she would not support it because, as outlined by Councillor Duncan McGregor, the substantive motion a) would cover it. She added that the process for deciding further working from home arrangements would be better served as part of a thorough review process.
Councillor James Watson spoke on the motion and stated he would support it because regardless of the review, the motion would give the public a clear indication that the Council wants to address working from home arrangements.
Councillor Duncan McGregor spoke again on the motion and believed that the review would allow for proper consultation with staff, which the motion would not.
Councillor David Dixon spoke on the motion and stated he would not support it, because he felt the issue required consulting the staff involved.
The Chair stated that he endorsed the comments of Cllr David Dixon and Councillor Liz Smyth, and that any changes should be subject to consultation with all staff and Members. This was to take place as part of the review under the previous item.
AMENDMENT
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.6, Councillor Duncan McGregor moved an amendment to motion b) proposing that this Council has a comprehensive review of the Democratic processes of Bolsover District Council. He explained his belief that the substantive motion a) and the review would cover this, and the review would include working from home arrangements.
Councillor Liz Smyth seconded the amendment and reserved the right to speak.
As mover of the original motion, Councillor Peter Roberts exercised his right to reply. He felt that officers and Members could be consulted right now on working from home arrangements. He believed that Members and officers were already working from home anyway, so consulting them on it should not take long.
The amendment was put to the vote and was carried.
The Chair confirmed that the carried amendment would now become the substantive motion and would now be voted on. The substantive motion was carried.
It was RESOLVED that that this Council has a comprehensive review of the Democratic processes of Bolsover District Council.
(Monitoring Officer)