Agenda item

a)    To confirm in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990 the allocation of committee seats to political groups and to agree a reduction in the number of Committee seats subject to a further report to Full Council; b) To confirm in accordance with the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, appointments to committees and outside bodies and to review membership; c) To agree the 2025/26 Schedule of meetings; and d) To appoint a second Independent Person (report of the Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer) enclosed).

(Appendices A and B to follow).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer), the purpose of which was: a) To confirm in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, the allocation of committee seats to political groups and to agree a reduction in the number of Committee seats subject to a further report to Council; b) To confirm in accordance with the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, appointments to committees and outside bodies and to review membership; c) To agree the 2025/26 Schedule of Meetings; and d) To appoint a second Independent Person.

The Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer) presented the report. 

In an amendment to Appendix B, it was clarified that Councillor D Wilkinson would not be proposed as a member of the Policy Development Panel.

Members considered the report and the following issues were raised:

·         Concerns was raised by a number of members regarding the proposal to reduce the number of seats on the Performance Monitoring Panel, Policy Development Panel, Planning; and Licensing Committee/Committee of the Licensing Authority.  Particular concern was raised regarding the reduction in numbers on the Planning Committee and members asked for the reasons behind the proposal.

o   The Leader responded that a reduction in numbers would result in greater flexibility for members as they would not need to be appointed to as many committees, and it would also allow for greater flexibility in appointing members with particular skills to specific committees.  With regard to Planning in particular, ward member could always attend to raise specific issues in their ward.

In accordance with Standing Order 16 (paragraph 16.3) of Part 4A of the Constitution (Procedural Standing Orders), a recorded vote on recommendation 5 was agreed and undertaken.  The vote was as follows:

DECISIONS:

1)    That the Council approves that the following Committees be appointed to in accordance with political proportionality legislation and approves the committee sizes and allocation of seats as detailed in Appendix A:

·         Performance Monitoring Panel;

·         Policy Development Panel;

·         Licensing Committee;

·         Chief Officer Employment Panel

·         Chief Officer Employment Appeals Panel

·         Standards Panel;

2)    That the Council approves that the following Committees be appointed to without being politically balanced and approves the committee sizes and allocation of seats as detailed in Appendix A:

·         Planning Committee;

·         Governance and Audit Committee;

·         Committee of the Licensing Authority;

·         Appeals Panel;

·         Settlements Agreements Sub-Committee;

·         Independent Panel

3)    That the Councillor Development Working Group be re-appointed to, reflecting cross party membership.

4)    That the Council approves the appointments to Committees and Working Groups as nominated by Group Leaders and detailed in Appendix B, with the exception that Councillor D Wilkinson not be appointed as a member of the Policy Development Panel;

5)    That the Council approves a proposal to revise the number of seats to specific committees as detailed at Section 1.12 of this report to take effect from the Full Council Meeting in July 2025 and that it be noted that a further report will be presented to the next meeting of Full Council to approve the committee seat allocations and appointments.

6)    That the Council notes the current appointments to Outside Bodies as detailed in Appendix C and receives nominations for any vacancies.

7)    That the Council approves the Council meeting dates and its’ Committee meeting dates and notes the proposed dates for Cabinet meetings for the Council Municipal Year 2025/26 (Appendix D).

8)    That delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive in consultation with the relevant Chairman to amend or cancel meeting dates as necessary, subject to compliance with any constitutional requirements where an agenda has already been published.

9)    That Mr David Simpson be appointed as the second Independent Person, for the period 14 May 2025 for an initial three year term until the Annual Council Meeting in May 2028.