Agenda item

·         The purpose of 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, to ensure that this reflects the latest political make-up of the Council.

·         The election of Councillors to West Berkshire Council usually takes place every four years but the political representation of members on committees needs to be considered on an annual basis.

·         To agree the Council’s Policy Framework for 2024/25 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 10) regarding the appointment and allocation of seats for the next Municipal Year in accordance with the duty under section 15 of the Local Government Housing Act 1989, to ensure that this reflected the latest political make-up of the Council which was an annual consideration.

The report sought agreement of the Council’s Policy Framework for 2024/25 as set out in paragraph 5.22 of the report, reflective of the Policies reserved for Full Council.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Jeff Brooks and seconded by Councillor Denise Gaines. 

·         “That 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 Group, Conservative Group and Minority Opposition Group 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 5.4.

·         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 the appointments to Task Groups and Panels set out in Appendix B which are in accordance with the wishes of the Political Groups. Council notes the Membership of the bodies set out in Appendix C.

·         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 2024/25 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 C.

·         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 Part 6 of the Constitution, that are available via the link at Appendix E”.

Councillor Brooks made the following changes and clarifications to the proposed appointments:

·         Environment Advisory Group: Councillor Vicky Poole would step down as a substitute. Councillor Geoff Mayes would take her place.

·         Corporate Parenting Panel: Councillor Justin Pemberton would replace Councillor Billy Drummond, and the substitute would be Councillor Martha Vickers.

·         The Safer Streets Champion: Councillor Stephanie Steevenson would replace Councillor Vicky Poole.

·         District Planning Committee: Councillor Denise Gaines to replace Councillor Martin Colston.

Councillor Brooks discussed the roles of Member Champions, expressing the need for these roles to be formalised within the Council's Constitution. He praised the work of current Champions, such as Councillor Steevenson (Armed Forces Champion) and Councillor Martha Vickers (Green Champion), but highlighted the lack of job descriptions, terms of reference, and support for these roles. He proposed that these roles should be enshrined in the Constitution, with clear expectations and annual reports on their achievements.

Councillor Ross Mackinnon proposed an amendment:

·         District Planning Committee: Councillor Dennis Benneyworth would step down as a Member, Councillor Howard Woollaston would become a full Member instead of being a substitute, and Councillor Paul Dick would be a substitute.

Councillor Marsh proposed an amendment:

·         Member Development Group: Councillor Clive Taylor to be added.

·         Standing Advisory Commission for Religious Education: Councillor Taylor to be added.

·         Corporate Parenting Panel: Councillor Marsh to be added.

Councillor Marsh expressed support for the new Executive team and the proposal to formalise the Champion roles.

A point of order was raised by Councillor Howard Woollaston regarding the allocation of seats, specifically questioning the proportionate split between the Administration, main opposition and minority parties. The Monitoring Officer explained that the allocations were determined by a sequential test and detailed in the body of the report, ensuring they were in accordance with the approved principles.

Councillor Brooks proposed approval of the recommendations including the amendments proposed to the Committees and this was seconded by Councillor Denise Gaines.

The Motion was put to vote, and Council RESOLVED to adopt the recommendations including the amendments tabled to the Committees and Safer Streets Champion.