can a non agenda item be voted on

Question

A recent item was placed on the agenda as update and next steps. At that meeting where only one representative of the subcommittee was present they put it to the council that the subcommittee.be replaced which was then voted on.
As the replacement of the subcommittee was not an item on the agenda is that decision lawful?

Answer 1

All decisions of town and parish councils must be made in a properly convened meeting which includes the publication of the agenda three clear days before the meeting takes place.  Your standing orders will identify what type of decisions can be taken without prior notice but I have to say this type of decision does not usually appear on that list.  It isn't exactly unlawful but I'd suggest unenforceable/invalid and should be ratified or reviewed at the next meeting where it can be properly listed on the agenda.

Comments

Thanks I have checked the standing orders which states that the mover has to give written notice to the proper officer at least 10 days before the meeting

Answer 2

It seems to me that would very likely be perfectly legitimate. Most councils have much the same standing orders, and these include a list of motions that can be brought without notice. One of them is "to appoint a committee or sub-committee and their members".

I think you have to take it that that also implies removing members from a committee or shutting down a committee.

Comments

I always understood that a Full Council cannot create a subcommittee of a committee i.e. only the committee itself can only create its own subcommittee.  I assume the same applies to its removal