DEPARTMENT: / BUSINESS SERVICES
11.APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES – PAPER ‘A’
Matter for Consideration
To consider the appointment of Committees for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2005/2006.
Background Information
As Members will be aware, under the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000, the Executive ceased to be a Committee of the Council within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1972 and the requirement for the Executive to be politically balanced in terms of the 1989 Local Government and Housing Act no longer applies.
The Standards Committee is also no longer required to be politically balanced.
All other Committees of the Council fall within the terms of the 1972 Act and there is a requirement for these Committees to be politically balanced. The Council has also previously agreed that the Licensing Committee will be politically balanced.
Attached at Paper ‘A‘ is a schedule setting out details of the appointment of the Committees of the Council and their political balance implications based on the current arrangements. There are no recommendations for change at this stage to the Appointment of Committees, their political make up or terms of reference.
The Public Protection Sub Committee will be re-appointed by the Licensing Committee at an early meeting in the new Municipal Year.
Appointment of Chairmen
The Council may appoint Chairman and Vice-Chairman to all its Committees, or as was the case last year the Council may ask each of its Committees to appoint their own Chairmen and Vice Chairmen.
Financial Considerations
None
Legal Considerations
None
Personnel Considerations
None
Relevant Officer
Head of Legal and Democratic Services
Background Papers
None
Recommendations
(1)That the Committees of the Council be re-appointed with the political balance requirements as set out in Paper ‘A’ and with no change to their terms of reference;
(2)That the Standards Committee be re-appointed and the membership to continue at seven (3 Labour, 1 Conservative and 1 Liberal Democrat) and the two Independent Members previously appointed by the Council (Mr Dennis Ball and Mr Peter McCarthy) also be re-appointed;
(3)Subject to (1), and (2) above, that the Political Group Leaders be requested to notify the Head of Legal and Democratic Services as to their nominations for the Committees as indicated, as soon as possible; and
(4)Members’ views are requested on the appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen to the various Committees of the Council.