Agenda item

The Council will be asked to consider a review of the political balance calculations following the election of three councillors at the recent by elections held on 22^nd May 2014.

Members were aware that following the Annual Council meeting on 12^th May 2014, it had been agreed that following the election of three councillors at the by-election on 22^nd May 2014, a review of the political balance calculations and their effect on committees would be required.

The Council considered proposals for political balance calculations which also took into account the sad death of Councillors Mrs Greenhalgh, and noted that a further review would be required at the September Council meeting, following the Clifton by-election.

Motion:  Councillor Blackburn proposed (and Councillor Jackson seconded):

‘1.  To re-appoint the following committees, in line with the political balance calculations and adjustments at Appendix 10(a) to the Council report.  These are:

·        Scrutiny Committee (membership of fourteen and with a composition of nine Labour and five Conservative)

·        Health Scrutiny Committee (membership of nine and with a composition of sixLabour and three Conservative)

·        Planning Committee (membership of nine and with a composition of six Labour and three Conservative)

·        Appeals Committee (membership of six and with a composition of four Labour and two Conservative)

·        Finance and Audit Committee (membership of seven and with a composition of five Labour and two Conservative).

·        Standards Committee (membership of six and with a composition of four Labour and two Conservative).

·        Chief Officers Employment Committee (membership of six and with a composition of four Labour and two Conservative).

2.  To agree that the powers and duties of the committees remain as set out in the Constitution.

3.  That the Licensing Committee also be re-appointed with the powers and duties as set out in the Constitution (membership of fifteen and a composition of ten Labour, four Conservative and one Liberal Democrat).

4.  That the Licensing Committee be requested to re-appoint the Public Protection Sub-Committee, with the powers and duties, as set out in the Constitution (membership of seven and with a composition of five Labour and two Conservative).

5.  That the Scrutiny Committee be requested to appoint a ‘Call In’ Sub Committee, (membership of nine and with a composition of six Labour and three Conservative), to meet as and when required, with the powers and duties, as set out in the Constitution.

6.  That the Licensing Committee also be re-appointed with the powers and duties as set out in the Constitution (membership of fifteen and a composition of ten Labour, four Conservative and one Liberal Democrat).

7.  To note the appointment of members to Committees as set out in Appendix 10(b) to the Council report. 

8.  To confirm the re-appointment of the Chairmen and Vice Chairmen for those Committees and the six Scrutiny Lead Members identified at Appendix 10(b) to the Council report, based on the above recommendations.

9.  To agree that the Head of Democratic Services be authorised to amend the Constitution accordingly and report back to Council on revised political balance calculations at the September meeting following the Clifton By Election.’

Motion carried:  The motion on being submitted to the Council was carried.

Note:  Councillor Green left the meeting following consideration of the above item.