To consider and determine the allocation of seats to Committees in accordance with political balance rules set out in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989
Minutes:
Following the election on 6th May 2021, 78 Members were elected to North Northamptonshire Council. The report set out the political balance of the Council. These were 60 Conservative Party, 14 Labour Party, 3 Green Party and 1 Independent.
Since the election it had been confirmed that the Green Members and the Independent Member had agreed to work within a “Green Alliance Group”. This was reflected in the proposals being considered by Council.
The report before Council confirmed the methodology applied to determine the political balance of the Authority. The report also included proposals for the apportionment of seats, following consultation with the recognised political groups, in accordance with the application of the calculations.
Nominations had been sought for both the committee seats allocated and for the relevant positions of Chair and Vice Chair where appropriate. These nominations had been circulated to Members prior to the meeting.
The Monitoring Officer informed Council of amendments to nominations received from the Conservative Group since the agenda papers were circulated. These were noted.
These included –
· Chair of Kettering Area Planning Committee – the nomination of Councillor Dearing as Chair be withdrawn, and the nomination of Councillor Mark Rowley submitted.
· Education, Skills and Employment Executive Advisory Panel membership – the nomination of Councillor Anup Pandey be withdrawn, and the nomination of Councillor Lee Wilkes be submitted.
· Employment Committee membership – the nomination pf Councillor Lee Wilkes be withdrawn, and the nomination of Councillor Anup Pandey be submitted.
· Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) – the additional nomination of Councillor Anup Pandey was submitted.
During debate, an amendment to the proposed recommendations contained in the report was duly MOVED by Councillor Jim Hakewill and SECONDED by Councillor Valerie Anslow. The amendment read “That the position of Vice Chair of the Finance and Resources Scrutiny Committee be offered to the opposition groups”.
Under paragraph 20.3 of the approved Meeting Procedure Rules a recorded vote on the amendment was agreed.
Those FOR the amendment moved by Councillor Hakewill – Councillors Addison, Anslow, Armour, S Brown, Lyn Buckingham, Leanne Buckingham, Colquhoun, Dalziel, Dell, Fedorowycz, Hakewill, Keane, Lee, McEwan, J McGhee, Z McGhee, Pengelly, Rielly & Tubbs.
Those AGAINST the amendment moved by Councillor Hakewill – Councillors Allebone, Binley, D Brackenbury, W Brackenbury, C Brown, Bunday, Carr, Carter, Currall, de Capell Brooke, Dearing, Edwards, Ekins, Hallam, Harrington, H Harrison, K Harrison, L Henson, H Howell, D Howes, P Irwin, B Jackson, I Jelley, B Jenney, D Jenney, Lawal, G Lawman, L Lawman, Levell, Marks, Maxwell, A Mercer, G Mercer, Nichol, North, Pandey, Pentland, Powell, Prentice, Roberts, Rowley, Shacklock, Sims, Smithers, Smith-Haynes, Smyth, Tebbutt, Thurland, Tye, Ward, Waters, Watt, Wetherill & Wilkes.
Those who ABSTAINED on the amendment – Councillor Bell.
The Chair confirmed that the amendment had fallen.
During debate, an amendment to the proposed recommendations contained in the report was duly MOVED by Councillor John McGhee and SECONDED by Councillor Jean Addison. The amendment read “That the position of Chair and Vice Chair of the Corby Area Planning Committee be appointed by the Committee at its first meeting”.
Under paragraph 20.3 of the approved Meeting Procedure Rules a recorded vote on the amendment was agreed.
Those FOR the amendment moved by Councillor J McGhee – Councillors Addison, Anslow, Armour, Lyn Buckingham, Leanne Buckingham, Colquhoun, Dalziel, Dell, Fedorowycz, Hakewill, Keane, Lee, McEwan, J McGhee, Z McGhee, Pengelly, Rielly & Tubbs.
Those AGAINST the amendment moved by Councillor J McGhee – Councillors Allebone, Binley, D Brackenbury, W Brackenbury, C Brown, S Brown, Bunday, Carr, Carter, Currall, de Capell Brooke, Dearing, Edwards, Ekins, Hallam, Harrington, H Harrison, K Harrison, L Henson, H Howell, D Howes, P Irwin, B Jackson, I Jelley, B Jenney, D Jenney, Lawal, G Lawman, L Lawman, Levell, Marks, Maxwell, A Mercer, G Mercer, Nichol, North, Pandey, Pentland, Powell, Prentice, Roberts, Rowley, Shacklock, Sims, Smithers, Smith-Haynes, Smyth, Tebbutt, Thurland, Tye, Ward, Waters, Watt, Wetherill & Wilkes.
Those who ABSTAINED on the amendment – Councillor Bell.
The Chair confirmed that the amendment had fallen.
The recommendations contained in the report were duly MOVED by Councillor Steven North and SECONDED by Councillor Paul Marks. These included the amendments to nominations made by the Conservative Group.
RESOLVED that: -
(i) The allocation of seats for the committees set out in Appendix A to the recognised political groups in accordance with the proportionality provisions in the Constitution be approved;
(ii) The appointments proposed by the recognised political groups to the governance structure as detailed in Appendix B (as amended) be confirmed;
(iii) The nominees detailed in Appendix C (as amended) to the positions of Chair and Vice Chair be approved;
(iv) The Director of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised, in consultation with the relevant group leader, to determine any required adjustment to individual committee allocations in accordance with sections 15 and 16 of the 1989 Act;
(v) A Special Responsibility Allowance of £13,500 be approved to be allocated to the Chair of the Finance and Resources Scrutiny Committee in accordance with the Members Allowance Scheme; and
(vi) It be noted that the Chair of Sub Committees shall be appointed at each meeting by those members who are appointed to the Sub Committee.