Agenda item - Review of Committee Allocations

Report of the Chief Executive (copy attached).

21.1       Councillor Oxley formally moved the report and the recommendations relating to the proposed changes to the membership of the committees in question to take account of the change in the political balance of the council following the recent Goldsmid by-election.

21.2       The Mayor noted that the Green Group had submitted an amendment to the recommendations and called on Councillor Randall to move the amendment.

21.3       Councillor Randall formerly moved the amendment and stated that the Green Group felt that there was a need to recognise the change in the overall composition of the council.  As such it was proposed that the Chairs and Deputy Chairs of the Overview & Scrutiny Committees should be allocated on an equal basis between the three main political groups, giving each group 2 Chairs’ and 2 Deputy Chairs’ positions.  He stated that in having to specify the respective Chair and Deputy Chair posts that should be allocated to the Green Group; there was no reflection on the current post holders.  He also suggested that it would be helpful to take each proposal separately.

21.4       Councillor Taylor formerly seconded the proposed amendment.

21.5       Councillor Mitchell stated that the Labour Group recognised the need to take account of the change in proportionality and therefore the overall allocation of seats to each group.  However, it was felt that the appointment of Chairs and Deputy Chairs was something for Annual Council and therefore should not be altered until the next annual council meeting in May 2010.

21.6       Councillor Elgood stated that whilst the Liberal Democrat Group shared the frustration of the Green Group, having not been consulted on the matter they could not support the report’s recommendations or the proposed amendment at this time.  He suggested that the report should be re-examined and brought back to the next council meeting.

21.7       Councillor Taylor stated that over the last 10 years the council, its Chief Executive’s, Leadership and Administration had faced various changes which the council had not shrunk away from.  However, it appeared that the need for change following the result of the by-election was being delayed.

21.8       Councillor Randall stated that he found it to be disappointing that the two other parties were willing to work against the democratic will of the electorate.

21.9       Councillor Oxley noted the comments and stated that the appropriate action was being taken to reflect the change in the political balance of the council and committee membership altered to account for political proportionality.  There was no requirement under the proportionality regulations for the allocation of Chairs and Deputy Chairs and it was felt that this should be addressed at Annual Council in the usual way.

21.10    The Mayor noted that an amendment to the recommendations contained in the report had been moved and put the amendment to the vote which was lost.

21.11    The Mayor then put the recommendations contained in the report of the Chief Executive to the vote which was carried.

21.12    RESOLVED – That the revised memberships of the Council’s Licensing and Health Overview & Scrutiny Committees be agreed as follows:

(a)       Licensing Committee on the basis of 7 Conservative, 3 Labour, 4 Green and 1 Liberal Democrat Member; and

(b)       Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee on the basis of 3 Conservative, 2 Labour and 3 Green Members.

Note:  Councillors Elgood and Watkins wished their names recorded as having voted against the above recommendations.