Issue - meetings

Purpose: To consider the appointment of seats on Outside Bodies for the next Municipal Year.  Where necessary, such appointments must comply with the duty under section 15 of the Local Government Housing Act 1989, to ensure that these reflect the latest political make-up of the Council.

Council considered a report (Agenda Item 14) concerning the appointment of Member to Outside Bodies for the 2026/27 Municipal Year. 

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Vicky Poole and seconded by Councillor Heather Codling: 

“That Council approve the appointments for the Municipal Year 2026/27, of Member representatives to the following outside bodies:

• Royal Berkshire Fire Authority:

-   Councillor Jeff Brooks

-   Councillor Billy Drummond

-   Councillor Owen Jeffery

-   Councillor Dennis Benneyworth

• Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel:

-   Councillor Stephanie Steevenson

-   Councillor Jeremy Cottam (Alternative Member)

• Local Government Association General Assembly:

-   Councillor Jeff Brooks

-   Councillor Heather Codling

-   Councillor Denise Gaines

-   Councillor Ross Mackinnon.”  

Councillor Poole introduced the report and recommended that it be approved by Council.

On a point of clarification, it was noted that the Alternative Member on the Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel effectively acted as a substitute, as only one Member is appointed to this outside body from West Berkshire Council.

In addition, Members noted that it was possible that the next Council election could produce several large parties on the Council. Therefore, the Constitution Review Task Group was encouraged to consider how proportional appointments could be made to these outside bodies should there be upwards of four large parties on the Council.

Overall, as Council were satisfied with the report, they agreed to approve the appointments.

The Motion was put to the meeting and duly RESOLVED.