Agenda item

To consider various issues concerning the Council’s political management structure and the Constitution for 2020/21.

Council considered various matters relating to the Member level decision making structure of the Council and the Council’s Constitution for the forthcoming Municipal Year.

The Chief Executive referred Members to paragraph 4.6 of the report. He advised that after consulting the Mayor and obtaining his approval, the Council meeting provisionally scheduled for 3 June 2020 would not go ahead.  The Chief Executive drew Members’ attention to a typographical error in the footnote to recommendation 1.1 – the number of Committee places was 98, not ’94’ as quoted.  Members were also informed that a draft calendar of meetings up to the end of September would be circulated by the end of the week.  Where any meetings were not scheduled they would be convened as and when required. 

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 for the following bodies that form the non-Executive Member level decision making structure of the Council be approved subject to the rules of proportionality where appropriate for 98 Committee places where applicable (relevant Committees are identified thus*) -

·      Overview and Scrutiny Committee* (Appendix A to the report) – 14 Members (10 Labour Group, 2 Conservative Group,  2 Liberal Democrat Group)

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

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

·  Planning & Development Committee* (Appendix D to the report) –  13 Members (8 Labour Group, 3 Conservative Group, 2 Liberal Democrat Group)

·  Licensing Committee (Appendix E to the report) – 14 Members (9 Labour Group,  3 Conservative Group, 2 Liberal Democrat Group)

·  General Purposes Committee* (Appendix F to the report) – 14 Members (9 Labour Group,  3 Conservative Group, 2 Liberal Democrat Group)

·  Appointments Committee* (Appendix G to the report) -  8 Members (6 Labour Group, 1 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

·  Standards Committee* (Appendix H to the report) – 8 Members (6 Labour Group, 1 Conservative Group, 1 Liberal Democrat Group)

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

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

·  Joint Consultative Committee* (Appendix K to the report) – 4 Members ( 3 Labour Group, 1 Conservative 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 98

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

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

4          That Council approves the dates for Council meetings for the Municipal Year, as shown at paragraph 4.6 of the report and notes that a calendar of Committee meetings to the end of September 2020 will be circulated shortly to all Members.

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 the temporary amendments to the Constitution to reflect the provisions of the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panels Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 (‘the Regulations’), as shown at Appendix M to the report, be approved for the period during which those Regulations remain in force.

8.         That the protocol for virtual meetings, attached at Appendix N to the report, be noted.     

9.         That the recommended amendments to Standing Orders, as outlined in paragraphs 4.14 of the report be approved.