No vote on budget

Question

Our council held its Jan meeting but failed to vote on any proposals on the agenda - which also included the budget and precept. The chair called for a proposer and seconder but not for a vote or oral confirmation of agreement. The only thing they actually did a show of hands on was a planning application! How do they resolve this? It has been suggested that an Extraordinary Meeting is called to re-run proposals and vote. This seems to me to be the best democratically transparent way forward. Thoughts?

Answer 1

It seems extraordinary that nobody mentioned this at the time. The Chair, every member of the council and the Clerk should all have been aware that something was amiss. Another meeting is the correct way to resolve this, especially on matters as fundamental as the budget and precept, but there also needs to be an honest discussion about how this happened. Not a finger-pointing session, but perhaps a training session on the standing orders and financial regulations would be helpful.

Answer 2

Very bad procedural problem. Bad chairmanship as it is the chais ONKLY jub is to ensure that the meetings follow lad down procedures in code of conduct and standing orders ( backed up by clerk advice)

Also note any deadline for presentation of precept to LA that is in force and also that it is the duty of councillors to ensure that they act in adopting budgets and bidding for precept reqirements as they are RESPONSIBLE for doing so. It is " their job" which they were elected to carry out on behalf of their community.