What are the clerk’s powers to reduce an agenda item to something relatively useless rather than reject it?

Question

Can a clerk alter a submitted agenda item so much that it is unrecognisable?

Answer 1

The only powers a clerk has on submitted agenda items is to ensure that they are legal, clear and understandable and can fit in the time frame allotted for the meeting.

Comments

See my reply to your previous question, Clerks are allowed to dominate too many Councils because Councillors are too afraid to stand up to them
I’ve said in the past that it’s getting to the stage where it would be easier to abolish Councillors and elect a Clerk instead

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Thank you, I think that it also suits the dominant group to foster and allow this dynamic. Anyone who speaks up is considered negative or a trouble maker and is disregarded.

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Thank you for your answer. I am using ‘Local Councils Explained’ to support my belief that they can’t do this. The standing orders say that the clerk has ultimate veto on what goes onto the agenda. That could be interpreted as (and is being interpreted as) they can do whatever they like with your item/motion. Is there any guidance on interpretation anywhere else I can use. I’m not letting this go. Though as a ‘troublemaker’ all my motions get voted against anyway so even if they made it onto the agenda…

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I sympathise with your plight and can only remind you of what being a councillor is all about. Facilitating the needs an will of the community that elected you. Fortunately, a council being being A-political does not mean not acting like a politician. It is your duty to work against bad practice and unacceptable actions by others. To do this requires work on your behalf to use the system to highlight what is wrong and to offer alternatives that are right. This requires you to persuade your fellow councillors that what is happening is wrong or unacceptable. It can be a long and thankless task but needs to be done by winning over people one by one. What unfortunately is reality is that the number of councillors who are prepared to make such a herculean effort are in a minority these days and follow the herd ( or strongest member) fits the modern idiom of "take the easy route" or " throw money at it".
Being a councillor SHOULD be hard work otherwise how can change take place if all councils do is act like the proverbial "happy pigs in brown sticky stuff"?

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It all depends on what support you’ve got
You could insist  that your motion goes on the Agenda or you’ll call a EGM

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Yes, it means that on Saturday while everyone else is enjoying the cricket and the sunshine, I’m trying to figure out ways to help people understand. Someone else said that I have to identify friends or people who could be won over. Unfortunately this doesn’t look like it could be done by facts and argument. The clerk sent us the replies from the local ALC and summarised them as the complete opposite of what they said. Only a couple of us scrutinising them fully, other councillors will just accept what they said. Thanks for your support. Onwards

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It’s completely absurd that a council allows either the ALC or the clerk to perpetuate the myth that the clerk determines the agenda.
Check a motion for appropriateness, for spelling, completeness and legality - sure, no problem.
Dictate what does / does not appear on the agenda - err, no thank you and it is for individuals to stand up and oppose this where it appears.
Noting that the premise of the question is that it has already happened in the case where an original motion is so altered as to be unrecognisable, one option might simply be to let it go this time, wait for the meeting then immediately propose an amendment to take it back to what it was originally intended to be.
Not ideal obviously, but it’s an option if you can’t prevent changes being implemented prior to the meeting.

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I tried to amend it back to mine, but other councillors preferred the clerk’s version. Haha then someone immediately tried to amend it to include something that was in mine. I think that it’s a lack of knowledge and understanding of the legislation and even standing orders on the part of the councillors too. It’s hard work that not everyone wants to put in.

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I absolutely believe that para 9 of the NALC guidelines changed in 2018 to remove the "subject to" condition  works against Councillors trying to deliver change and for hierarchies within PCs. Most opinion seems to suggest that there is no legal basis for this leap of faith.  To date I have written to the CEOs of NALC and the SLCC and three committee members of my local affiliated association as well as NALC members services and not one of them has replied.  Sadly my Councillors colleagues dont see this as relevant or a problem as they would not consider putting forward a motion and mainly sit there and say nothing.  It is totally disheartening