Plymouth Plus can report that following last week's full council meeting, Councillor Charlotte Holloway's attendance has increased from 50% to 55%.
Last week, Plymouth Plus were the first to report on Cllr Holloway's shockingly low attendance figures with readers dubbing her "Half-a-Job Holloway" and many questioning whether her councillor's allowance should be reduced in line with her attendance. However, with her attendance now brimming over the halfway mark, readers may need to find a new name for Cllr Holloway.
During the last full council meeting, Councillor Holloway spoke on the Armada Way tree felling issue. She mentioned the importance of tone and nuance in council discussions. However, as previously reported, Drake ward Cllr Holloway, along with all other Labour councillors, abstained from a crucial vote in early 2023 that would have halted the tree felling project if they had voted in support.
Politics Desk
Council Procedure
During the full council meeting, there was some confusion regarding council procedural protocol when Cllr Holloway addressed her remarks directly to Councillor Nicholson rather than the Lord Mayor.
According to Section 8.1, Part B of Plymouth City Council's constitution, "when they speak at Council, Councillors must address the Lord Mayor." This protocol ensures meetings are conducted in an orderly manner with the Lord Mayor maintaining proper chairmanship.
When Councillor Nicholson asked if Holloway would take an intervention, some procedural confusion followed. Lord Mayor Councillor Kathy Watkin eventually intervened, asking directly: "Councillor Holloway, do you wish to take the intervention or not?"
Cllr Holloway accepted with "Yes okay, I'm happy to" but remained standing. Councillor Nicholson pointed out: "Thank you Councillor Holloway, you can sit down while I speak."
A confused Cllr Holloway asked "Why am I sitting down?".
The council constitution (Section 8.1, Part B) states that "if more than one Councillor stands, the Lord Mayor will ask one of them to speak and the others must sit down."
After the Lord Mayor explained the procedure, Cllr Holloway eventually sat down, though she appeared surprised by the protocol.
Room for Improvement
With council meetings being the primary forum for democratic debate and decision-making in the city, residents have a right to expect their elected representatives to be both present and prepared to follow established protocols that ensure effective governance.
Perhaps if Cllr Holloway's attendance continues to improve, so too will her grasp of the established etiquette and procedures required in Plymouth's Council House.
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