Agenda item

The appendix to this report, detailing the political balance figures, will be published in a supplementary papers pack to this main agenda.

At the start of consideration of this item, Mr Carpenter returned to the meeting room.

The Council considered a report setting out proposals for changes to the political balance of the Council following changes in the membership of political groups as a result of the recent By-Election held for Sidemoor Ward.

Councillor K. May presented the report and proposed the recommendations. Councillor S. Baxter seconded the recommendations.

In considering this item, Members expressed their sincere thanks and well wishes to former Councillor D. G. Stewart and extended a warm welcome to Councillor J. Clarke.

Following some queries raised, Officers explained and clarified the political balance figures.  It was confirmed that these figures had been discussed with each group leader prior to publication of the report and the figures balanced.

During consideration of this item, questions were raised with regard to the election of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Committees and Boards and how these were distributed amongst representatives of the different political groups.  The suggestion was made that going forward could this be referred to the Constitution Review Working Group (CRWG) to look into in more detail, to inform the process for appointing Chairmen and Vice Chairmen in the 2025/26 municipal year.

Members debated this matter further and it was highlighted that Members nominated and elected the Chairman and Vice Chairman of all Committees and  Boards at the first meetings of those Committees held in a new municipal year.  Therefore, it was down to each individual Committee or Board to determine these positions.

It was also highlighted that the Council’s Constitution had recently been amended to state that the Chairman of the Audit, Standards and Governance Committee and the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board “shall where possible not be a member of the political group represented in Cabinet”.

Following a comment made that Members of Councillor Hunter’s group had refused a position of Chairman, a request was received for it to be noted that none of his political group had refused a position of Chairman,  However, it was noted that the offer of the position of Vice-Chairman of the Electoral Matters Committee had been refused due to the recent removal of Councillor Nicholl as Chairman of the Audit, Standards and Governance Committee.  

Reference was made to the process for the nomination and appointment of Chairman and Vice Chairmen at other Councils.  As part of this, it was noted that some local authorities, including Redditch Borough Council, selected their Chairman and Vice-Chairman for their Boards and Committees at their Annual Council meetings.  

RESOLVED that 

1)          for the remainder of the 2024/25 Municipal Year, the Committees set out in the table in Appendix 1 be appointed and that the representation of the different political groups on the Council on those Committees be as set out in that table until the next Annual Meeting of the Council, or until the next review of political representation under Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, whichever is the earlier; and 

2)          Members be appointed to the Committees and as substitute Members in accordance with nominations made by Group Leaders.