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, appointment of Councillors to Committees and appointments to Outside bodies following Councillors Steve Baron, Nigel Brooks, Daniel Butt and Toby Johnson joining the Conservative Group. 

The Leader of the Council presented a report on the above, 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 recommendations were seconded by Councillor Broadhead.

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, appointment of Councillors to Committees and appointments to Outside bodies following Councillors Steve Baron, Nigel Brooks, Daniel Butt and Toby Johnson joining the Conservative Group.

Councillors commented on the implications of the proposals. Councillor Burton referred to the changes to the Children’s Services O&S Committee and thanked Councillors for their work whilst welcoming new Councillors to the Committee which he highlighted was non-political.

Councillor Broadhead referred to the allocation of seats where a group has the majority of seats on the Council which he indicated was consistent with relevant legislation.

Councillor Farquhar raised a point of order as he took offence to the frivolity of political point scoring, the reference to the two by elections and how they had occurred, and he invited the Member to retract his remark.  Councillor Broadhead clarified his comment.  

RESOLVED that

(a)  the revised political balance of the Council, as set out in Table 1 of this report be approved.

(b)  the allocation of seats to each political group, as set out in Table 2, be approved.

(c)  the appointment of Councillors to Committees and Boards, taking account of the membership as detailed in Table 3, be approved.

(d)  the allocation of seats to each political group on the outside bodies as detailed in Table 4 be approved and the Group Leaders advise the proper officer of their representatives.

(e)  Subject to (c) and (d) above the Council approves the appointment of unaligned Members to Committees, Boards and Outside bodies as follows:

Planning Committee – Councillor Stephen Bartlett

Licensing Committee – Councillor Julie Bagwell

Overview and Scrutiny Board – Councillor Stephen Bartlett

Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Diana Butler

Lower Central Gardens Trust Board – Councillor Stephen Bartlett

Voting: carried by a majority.