Issue - meetings

Leaders and Composition of Political Groups

Meeting: 16/05/2024 - Statutory Annual Council (Item 14)

Leaders and Composition of Political Groups

(i) To consider the report of the Head of Paid Service on the Leaders and composition of each political group (copy to follow).

(ii) That the Council considers the ratification of the Leader-Designate as Leader of the Council.

(iii) To elect the Deputy Leader of the Council.

Additional documents:

14 Leaders and Composition of Political Groups, item 14 PDF 261 KB

Minutes:

The Council considered the report of the Director of Strategy and Resources, circulated prior to the meeting. As required by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the Director of Strategy and Resources had been notified that the composition of the political Groups on the Council were as follows:

Conservative Group	Leader	Councillor S J N Morgan??
Conservative Group	Members	Councillors: D O Bown M F L Durham CC W J Laybourn N R Miller C P Morley R G Pratt M E Thompson L L Wiffen
District Support Group	Leader	Councillor J C Stilts??
District Support Group	Members	Councillors: A S Fluker? L J Haywood K M H Lagan? M G Neall W Stamp CC
Liberal Democrat Group	Leader	Councillor J Driver??
Liberal Democrat Group	Members	Councillors: S J Burwood K Jennings N D Spenceley P L Spenceley N J Swindle?
The Maldon District Independent Group	Leader	Councillor R H Siddall
The Maldon District Independent Group	Members	Councillors: M GBassenger A Fittock J CHughes N G F Shaughnessy E LStephens

It was highlighted that the table in the report had listed Councillor S J N Morgan twice under the Conservative Group in error.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Councillor S J N Morgan was therefore recognised as Leader-designate. At this point, Councillor Morgan advised that he wished to resign as Leader-designate and not put himself forward for the position as Leader of the Council.

The Chairperson then called for nominations for the position of Leader of the Council. Councillor M G Bassenger nominated Councillor R H Siddall and this was duly seconded by Councillor V J Bell.

There being no other nominations, the Chairperson declared that Councillor R H Siddall was duly elected as Leader of the Council.

The Chairperson then moved to recommendation (ii) as set out in the report and sought nominations for Deputy Leader of the Council. Councillor R H Siddall proposed Councillor M G Bassenger and this was duly seconded by Councillor V J Bell.

There being no other nominations, the Chairperson declared that Councillor M G Bassenger was duly elected as Deputy Leader of the Council.

The Chairperson advised that the Council that it now had three Opposition Groups and sought agreement, as decided by the Council last year, that there would be three Opposition Leaders. This was duly agreed.

RESOLVED

(i) that the Councillor R H Siddall be ratified as Leader of the Council for the ensuing Municipal Year;

(ii) that Councillor M G Bassenger be elected as Deputy Leader of the Council for the ensuing Municipal Year.

(iii) That the Leaders of the Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Maldon District Independent Groups be known collectively as the Opposition Leaders.