Agenda item - Review of Political Balance and Committee Allocations

Report of the Chief Executive.

34.1         The Mayor noted that the next item was a report from the Chief Executive detailing the proposed changes to the allocations for committees to reflect the change in the Administration of the Council. He drew Members’ attention to appendix 4 of the report and an officer correction to recommendation 2.2 and the number of councillors appointed to the Community Wealth Building Task & Finish Working Group. The Mayor also noted that there was an amendment to the recommendations from the Conservative Group.

34.2         Councillor Clare moved the recommendations and stated that the Council was being asked to accept the review which confirmed the changes to the make-up of committees to reflect the political balance of the council.

34.3         Councillor Mears moved an amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group which was formally seconded by Councillor Wares.

34.4         The Mayor noted that the amendment had not been accepted and put it to the vote and called on each of the Group Leaders to confirm their position as well as the Groups in turn and each of the Independent Members:

Councillor Mac Cafferty stated that the Green Group were in against the amendment and this was confirmed by the Green Group Members;

Councillor Platts stated that the Labour Group were against the amendment and this was confirmed by the Labour Group Members;

Councillor Wares stated that the Conservative were in favour of the amendment and this was confirmed by the Conservative Group Members;

Councillor Brennan confirmed that she was voting against the amendment.

Councillor Fishleigh confirmed that she wished to abstain from voting on the amendment.

Councillor Knight confirmed that she was voting against the amendment.

34.5         The Mayor confirmed that the amendment had been lost and therefore put the recommendations as detailed in the report together with the officer correction to the vote. He called on each of the Group Leaders to confirm their position as well as the Groups in turn and each of the Independent Members:

Councillor Mac Cafferty stated that the Green Group were in favour of the recommendations as amended and this was confirmed by the Green Group Members;

Councillor Platts stated that the Labour Group were in favour of the recommendation as amended and this was confirmed by the Labour Group Members;

Councillor Wares stated that the Conservative were against the recommendations as amended and this was confirmed by the Conservative Group Members;

Councillor Brennan confirmed that she was voting for the recommendations as amended.

Councillor Fishleigh confirmed that she wished to abstain from voting on the item.

Councillor Knight confirmed that she was voting for the recommendations as the amended.

34.6         The Mayor confirmed that the recommendations as amended by the officer correction had been agreed.

34.7         RESOLVED:

(1)      That the Council appoints/re-appoints its committees with the sizes and allocation of seats between political groups as set out in appendix 1 to the report;

(2)      That the allocation of seats as detailed in the report and in appendix 2 to the report be approved;

(3)      That having received nominations to the committees from the 3 political  groups, as detailed in appendix 2 to the report, such nominations (including a BME Standing invitee to the Policy & Resources Committee when appointed) be agreed, and the committee places filled accordingly;

(4)      That those Members listed as Chair, Deputy Chair and Opposition Spokesperson of the respective committees, sub- committees, project boards and working groups in appendix 2 be appointed to those positions and the changes referred to in paragraph 3.10 to Council Procedure Rules be agreed;

(5)      That having regard to 2.2. above, it be agreed that for the purpose of enabling meetings of the Personnel Sub-Committee Appeals Panel and Licensing Panels to be convened without disproportionate difficulty, the make-up of such panels need not be politically proportionate, although every effort will be taken to achieve it and the Council further agrees:

(i)   Although the Panels have the Members referred to in appendix 2 as their standing Members, the Council agrees that, where any of the 3 Members are not available,

(a)     any Member of the Council who has received appropriate training shall be eligible to sit on the Personnel Appeal Panel; and

(b)     any Member of the Licensing Committee who has received the appropriate training shall be eligible to sit on the Licensing Panel;

(ii)   That the Head of Democratic Services be authorised to set up the Panel(s), as and when needed with the permanent Members or, where any of them is not available, by including any other eligible Member of the Council or Committee as appropriate, having regard to the need, where possible, to secure cross party representation;

(iii) The above arrangements, and those set out in paragraph 2.5 above, are intended to operate as "alternative arrangements" pursuant to section 17 of the Local Government & Housing Act 1989 and Regulation 20 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990.

(6)      That Council appoints Members/representatives to various bodies as listed in appendix 3 to the report.