Decision details

The Council considered the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance seeking appointments to vacancies associated with withdrawal from Committees, Working Groups and Outside Bodies by some Members and Councillor K W Jarvis’ resignation as a District Councillor.  These vacancies and any nominations received were detailed in the report.

The Chairman went through the Committee vacancies set out in the report and the following nominations were made:

Performance, Governance and Audit Committee

Councillor Mrs P A Channer nominated Councillors A S Fluker and W Stamp to the Performance, Governance and Audit Committee.  This was duly seconded and there being no other nominations was agreed.

Strategy and Resources Committee

Councillor C Swain nominated Councillors S P Nunn and K M H Lagan to the Strategy and Resources Committee.  Councillor Mrs Channer nominated Councillors S P Nunn, K M H Lagan and A S Fluker to this Committee advising that they were the only three non-aligned Members who could sit on it.  This was duly seconded and there being no other nominations was agreed.

Joint Standards Committee

Councillor Mrs Channer nominated Councillors M W Helm and Mrs M E Thompson to the Joint Standards Committee.  This was duly seconded and there being no other nominations was agreed.

Councillor C Morris returned to the Chamber at this point. 

Councillor Morris referred to a number of public outside and asked the Chairman if there was anything the Council could do to accommodate the viewing of this meeting by respectful members of the public at the back of the chamber.  Councillor A S Fluker commented on the matter raised by Councillor Morris asking the Chairman if he could discuss the matter with the Monitoring Officer and Officers to see if there was a way to accommodate the public at future meetings. 

In response to comments the Monitoring Officer reminded Members of the decision made by the Council in relation to attendance at meetings in light of the recent crisis with covid and keeping everyone (members, officers and the public) safe.  He explained that the Council could change the resolution but at the moment the current decision stood.  It was noted that in addition to the Local Government Act 1972 Access to the Public the Council also had health and safety responsibilities and the government guidance was clear regarding restricting numbers with only essential people being in meetings of this nature. 

A debate ensued.  The Chairman informed Members that it was his view that should members of the public wish to see this meeting it was being broadcast on YouTube.  He further advised that on the advice of the Monitoring Officer and considering health and safety he would on this occasion keep the meeting with this number of people in it.  At this point Councillor Morris advised he would be leaving the meeting.  Further debate ensued, during which the request for the matter to be reviewed was repeated and the Monitoring Officer reminded Members that under Rule 4 of the Council’s Procedure Rules they could consider submitting a notice of motion.

Councillor A S Fluker proposed that the Council deal with the outstanding appointments and discuss the matter raised at another time.  Councillor Mrs Channer raised a Point of Order that the Council move forward.  The Chairman agreed.

Investigating and Disciplinary Panel

Councillor Mrs P A Channer nominated Councillor K M H Lagan to the Investigating and Disciplinary Panel.  This was duly seconded and there being no other nominations was agreed.

Investigating and Disciplinary Committee

Councillor Mrs P A Channer nominated Councillor S P Nunn to the Investigating and Disciplinary Committee.  This was duly seconded and there being no other nominations was agreed.

Licensing Committee

Councillor Mrs P A Channer nominated Councillor R G Boyce to Licensing Committee.  This was duly seconded and there being no other nominations was agreed.

Outside Bodies

The Chairman then moved onto the outside body vacancies set out in the report.  This was duly seconded and agreed by assent.

Working Groups

Moving onto Working Group vacancies, the Chairman proposed that Councillor M R Edwards be nominated to the Corporate Governance Working Group and the Leisure Contract Task and Finish Working Group.  This was duly seconded.

Councillor Mrs Channer proposed that Councillor R G Boyce be nominated to the Corporate Governance Working Group and Councillor S P Nunn to the Leisure Contract Task and Finish Working Group.  This was duly seconded.

In response to a question from the Chairman, Councillor Edwards advised he was happy to give way to those nominations from Councillor Mrs Channer.

Councillor Morris returned to the chamber at this point.

The Chairman put the nominations from Councillor Mrs Channer to the Council and these were duly agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)         That the Committee vacancies as set out in section 3.5 of the report be appointed to as follows:

(ii)        That the Outside Body vacancies as set out in section 3.9 of the report be appointed to as follows:

(iii)       That that Working Group vacancies set out in section 3.13 of the report be appointed to as follows: