Issue - meetings

To seek delegated authority for the Chief Executive to make Orders under Section 91 of the Local Government Act 1972, appointing named persons to be Parish Councillors on a temporary basis (report of the Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer) which sought delegated authority for the Chief Executive to make Orders under Section 91 of the Local Government Act 1972, appointing named persons to be Parish Councillors on a temporary basis.

The Leader introduced the report, noting the following points:

• When a parish council lacked sufficient elected members, it was unable to conduct basic duties such as considering planning applications or authorising routine business.
• The report outlined a practical and lawful approach under Section 91 of the Local Government Act 1972 that enabled the Chief Executive to make temporary appointments to inquorate parish councils.
• The delegated mechanism ensured continuity, protected local governance, and provided stability for parish communities during periods of low membership.
• The intention was not to intervene unnecessarily, but to ensure no parish within South Holland was left unable to function.

Members made the following comments on the report:

• Members queried whether the outlined process would apply where a parish council is inquorate due to a councillor having a long-term illness.
  • The Democratic Services Manager responded that the quorum to conduct business was three members or a third of members, whichever was greater. In such circumstances where the Parish Council becomes inquorate, the Section 91 process would apply.
• Members asked whether more than one temporary member could be appointed to an inquorate Parish Council to ensure stability and broader perspectives.
  • The Leader agreed that appointing more than one temporary member could be beneficial and appointment of those outside of the Parish could also be valuable to provide a more impartial and balanced approach.

DECISION:

That delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive, in consultation with District Ward Member(s) for the parish affected, to make such orders under Section 91 of the Local Government Act 1972, to appoint named persons to be Parish Councillors on a temporary basis, following the procedure set out in Appendix A to the report.