Issue - meetings

The Council is asked to consider and approve the review of the political balance of the Council, the allocation of seats on Committees to each political group and the appointment of Councillors on Committees following the change in administration and two resignations from the Poole People and All Group.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Mellor presented a report on the review of the political balance of the Council and the allocation of seats, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Council was asked to consider and approve the review of the political balance of the Council, the allocation of seats on Committees to each political group and the appointment of Councillors on Committees following the change in administration and two resignations from the Poole People and All Group.

The Leader of the Council outlined the proposal that the administration would not have the majority of seats on the Overview and Scrutiny Board.  Members were referred to recommendation (f) and the Leader proposed that Councillor Steve Baron take up the unaligned seat on the Dorset and Wiltshire Joint Fire Authority.  The Leader reported that currently there was no unaligned member identified to take the seat on the Lower Central Gardens Trust Board unless a nomination came forward for the Council to consider this seat would remain vacant.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Broadhead.

Councillor Rice reported that she no longer had a seat on the Dorset Pension Fund Committee following the review of the political balance of the Council but had thoroughly enjoyed her role on the Committee.  In particular she highlighted the influence of Pension Funds and the impact on climate change.  Councillor Brown expressed his concerned about recommendation (e) and the proposed change in the allocation of seats on the Pension Fund.  In doing so he highlighted the significant training required and level of work as a member of the Committee.  He paid tribute to Councillor Rice for her contribution which had been highly significant. Councillor Brown reported that he was not pleased with how this change had been managed in particular with regard to the circulation of papers for an upcoming meeting.

Councillor Earl proposed the following amendment to (c) and (d) of the recommendations in the report which she indicated would better reflect the proportionality of the Council:

Amendment:

(c)   the allocation of seats to each political group, as set out in Table 2, be approved with the following amendments: 

(i)    The Liberal Democrat Group's allocation of seats on Audit & Governance Committee is reduced from three to two.

(ii)   The Conservative Group's seats on Audit & Governance Committee is increased from four to five.

(iii)  The Conservative Group's seats on Overview & Scrutiny Board is reduced from seven to six.

(iv)  The Liberal Democrat Group's allocation of seats on Overview & Scrutiny Board is increased from three to four.

(d)   the appointment of Councillors to Committees and Boards, taking into account the membership, as detailed in Table 3, and any nominations submitted by political groups, be approved apart from those Lib Dem and Conservative seats on Audit & Governance and Overview & Scrutiny Board.

Councillor Earl outlined the reasons for the above amendment taking account of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55