Agenda item

To consider various issues concerning the Council’s political management structure and the Constitution for 2018/2019.

 

Report attached

Council had before it a report relating to the Member level decision making structure of the Council and the Council’s Constitution for the 2018/2019 Municipal Year which had been circulated on the Supplementary Agenda.

 

The Leader of the Council clarified that Reports of each Scrutiny Body would be submitted to the Council for noting only (paragraph 4.19) and reference to the Leader being having the opportunity to respond should be deleted.

 

It was moved, seconded and RESOLVED:

 

1.         That the Terms of Reference, as detailed in the appendices to this report; and the size and political composition to be agreed in accordance with the rules of proportionality, where appropriate, for 94 of the Committee places, be approved for the following bodies that form the non-Executive Member level decision making structure of the Council:

 

•              Overview and Scrutiny Committee* (Appendix A) – 14 Members (9 Labour Group, 4 Conservative Group,  1 Liberal Democrat Group)

 

•              Community Select Committee* (Appendix B) – 10 Members ( 7 Labour Group, 2 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

 

•              Environment and Economy Select Committee* (Appendix C) – 11 Members (7 Labour Group, 3 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

 

•              Planning & Development Committee* (Appendix D) – 13 Members (8 Labour Group, 4 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

 

•              Licensing Committee (Appendix E) – 14 Members (8 Labour Group, 5 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

 

•              General Purposes Committee* (Appendix F) – 14 Members (8 Labour Group,  5 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

 

•              Appointments Committee* (Appendix G) -  8 Members (6 Labour Group, 1 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

 

•              Standards Committee* (Appendix H) – 8 Members (6 Labour Group, 1 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

 

•              Audit Committee* (Appendix I) – 8 Members (6 Labour Group, 1 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group) + 1 Co-opted non-elected member

 

•              Statement of Accounts Committee* (Appendix J) – 8 Members (6 Labour Group, 1 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

 

*Indicates where those bodies covered by the rules of proportionality for the purposes of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups), Regulations 1990 – total Committee places being 94

 

2.         That the composition of the Executive and the Portfolios, details of which to be circulated at the meeting, be noted.

 

3.         That the various Executive bodies appointed by the Leader, details of which to be circulated at the meeting be noted.  The relevant Terms of Reference for each body are shown at Appendix K.

 

4.         That Council approves the dates for Council meetings for the Municipal Year, as shown at paragraph 4.7 and notes the draft dates for other meetings as shown at Appendix L.

 

5.         That Council appoints 5 Members to the Housing Management Advisory Board (4 Majority Group, 1 Opposition Member).

 

6.         That it be noted that the Leader has given delegated authority to all Members regarding the spend of their £2,500 Local Community Budget and for the Youth Mayor’s £3,300 Youth Community Budget.

 

7.         That Council places on record its thanks to Brian Mitchell who has served as the Independent person on the Audit Committee since it was established in 2006.  The appointment of the new independent person to serve on the Committee will be reported to Council in July.

 

8.         That the proposed change to the Budget & Policy Framework Rules of the Council’s Constitution, as set out in paragraph 4.13 – 4.1.5 be approved.

 

9.         That the proposed additional delegations from the Planning & Development Committee to the Assistant Director (Planning & Regulatory) as set out in paragraphs 4.16 – 4.17 be approved.

 

10.       That Standing Orders for Ordinary meetings of the Council be amended to include provision for the Chairs of Scrutiny Committees to provide a verbal update on their Committees’ activities since the last ordinary meeting (up to 5 minutes per Chair).

 

11.       That it be noted that the Leader has extended a standing invitation to Chairs of Scrutiny Committees to attend meetings of the Executive to present Minutes of their meetings when they appear on agendas.

 

12.       That Members note the proposed arrangements for Executive Portfolio Holder Policy Advisory Groups to seek guidance and comment from relevant Scrutiny Members on policy proposals to be considered by the Executive (paragraphs 4.21 – 4.23 refers).

 

13        That the Executive and members of Executive Bodies are appointed for the 2018/19 Municipal Year as follows:

 

PORTFOLIOS

 

Deputy Leader and Resources - Councillor Mrs J Lloyd

 

Neighbourhoods and Co-operative Working - Councillor R Broom

 

Environment and Regeneration - Councillor J Gardner

 

Children, Young people and Leisure - Councillor R Henry

 

Communities, Community Safety and Equalities - Councillor Hollywell

 

Economy, Enterprise and Transport - Councillor R Raynor

 

Housing, Health and Older People - Councillor J Thomas

 

EXECUTIVE BODIES

 

JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (JCC) (EMPLOYER SIDE)

Councillors -             Mrs J Lloyd (Employer Side Chairman), J Gardner, R Raynor and J Thomas.

 

APPEALS, GRIEVANCES AND LITIGATION COMMITTEE

Councillors -             Mrs J Lloyd (Chairman), J Gardner, R Raynor and                     S Taylor OBE CC.

 

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Councillors -             J Thomas (Chair), R Broom, J Gardner, Mrs J Lloyd and            S Taylor OBE CC.

 

STEVENAGE, NORTH HERTS., EAST HERTS. AND HERTSMERE JOINT CCTV COMMITTEE

Councillors -             J Hollywell (Chair – when appropriate), Mrs J Lloyd and             R Henry.

 

STEVENAGE AND EAST HERTS. JOINT EXECUTIVE REVENUES AND BENEFITS SHARED SERVICE COMMITTEE

Councillors -             Mrs J Lloyd (Chairman – when appropriate), J Thomas,             R Raynor and (J Hollywell – substitute)