Agenda item

Following the election on the 4th May 2023, the representation of the respective political parties has changed at the Council. This report is to consider the appointment and allocation of seats on Committees for the next Municipal Year in accordance with the duty under section 15 of the Local Government Housing Act 1989, that reflects the latest political make-up of the Council and to reflect the new Political Administration’s proposed revisions to this allocation.

To agree the Council’s Policy Framework for 2023/24 as set out in paragraph 5.22 of the report, reflective of the Policies reserved for Full Council.

The Council considered the report (Agenda Item 9) regarding the appointment and allocation of seats on Committees for the next Municipal Year in accordance with the duty under section 15 of the Local Government Housing Act 1989, that reflects the latest political make-up of the Council and that reflects the new Political Administration’s proposed revisions to this allocation. A supplementary pack had been circulated to Members proposing the allocation of seats in accordance with political balance.

The report sought agreement of the Council’s Policy Framework for 2023/24 as set out in paragraph 5.22 of the report, reflective of the Policies reserved for Full Council.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Lee Dillon and seconded by Councillor Ross Mackinnon:

“That the Council:

Notes that under paragraph 8 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, notice has been received that the Members set out in paragraph 5.1 are to be regarded as Members of the Liberal Democrat and Conservative Groups respectively.

That the Council agrees to the appointment of the various Committees and to the number of places on each as set out in Table A, at paragraph 5.5.

That the Council agrees to the allocation of seats to the Political Groups in accordance with section 15(5) of the Local Government Act 1989 as set out in Table B at paragraph 5.14 of the report.

That the number of substitutes on each of the Committees and Commissions be as set out in Table C, at paragraph 5.17.

In respect of the District and Area Planning Committees, the substitute Members are all drawn from Members representing wards within the Committee’s area who are not appointed to the Committee. Where substitutes attend the District Planning meeting they need to be drawn from the same Area Planning meeting as the Member they are substituting for.

That the Council approves the appointment of Members to the Committees as set out in Appendix A and notes the appointments set out in Appendix B which are in accordance with the wishes of the Political Groups.

That the Council, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000 as amended, agrees that the Council’s Policy Framework for 2023/24 be as set out in paragraph 5.22 of this report, and that any necessary amendments be made to the Council’s Constitution.

That the Council notes that other plans, policies and strategies requiring approval which are not included in the approved Policy Framework and which are not otherwise reserved by law to Council, will be the responsibility of the Council’s Executive in accordance with the Local Government Act 2000.

That the Council notes that Paragraph 6.2 of Article 6 of the Constitution will be amended to reflect any changes made to the Executive by the Leader of the Council at the Annual Council meeting.

That the appointment of two non-voting co-opted Parish/Town Councillors be made to the Governance Committee as detailed in Appendix A.

To re-appoint three Independent Persons (standards) namely Lindsey Appleton, Mike Wall and Alan Penrith, and to appoint Simon Carey as an Independent Person (Audit) to focus on the risk and audit functions of the Governance Committee.To note the membership of the Health and Wellbeing Board as set out in Appendix A.

That authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer to make any changes required to the Constitution as a result of the changes to the number of Members of the Council and following the appointments to Committees.

Council is asked to note the Council Bodies Rules as detailed at Appendix D.”

The Motion was put to the meeting and duly RESOLVED.