Agenda item

To appoint Members to serve on Committees, as required by Procedure Rule 15. (Report of the Chief Executive on the nominations of the Leaders of all Groups to the places allocated to their respective Groups, copy to follow).

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive, circulated prior to the meeting.

In response to a question the Director of Legal and Governance explained that in accordance with the Constitution, the Opposition Leadership passed to the leader of the largest political group which was the Liberal Democrats.

In response to the draft regulations set to come in on 30 September 2026 restricting the seats on Planning Committees the report sought Members agreement to appoint 13 members to a new District Planning Committee (new DP) which would take effect from 30 September 2026. The report advised that this would also allow for training of those appointed Members to take place. It was clarified that changes to the Constitution, the Committee Terms of Reference etc. would come through the Performance, Governance and Audit Committee prior to September.

Councillor W Stamp advised the Council that she did not support the proposal to establish from September 2026 a new DP, stating that she felt it was premature. She proposed that the Council did not populate the new DP as it was not definite and had not been confirmed at this stage. This proposal was duly seconded.

In the discussion that followed, the importance of training for Members of the new DP was emphasised. In response to questions, the Director of Legal and Governance advised that, should Members decide not to appoint to the new DP, this would not affect the planning or review of the legislation coming forward. The exact nature of the training had not been confirmed at this stage but was likely to be more than one session held either at the Council offices or online.

The Chairperson then put the proposal in the name of Councillor Stamp not to appoint to the new District Planning Committee at this time. Upon a vote being taken this was duly agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)             That the Council did not appoint Members to the proposed new District Planning Committee which would take effect from 30 September 2026.

The Leader of the Council presented the report, and the Chairperson highlighted a number of Committees to which the Council would need to nominate and appoint non-aligned Councillors. Members were advised that no political group had a majority of 51% and therefore none could request a majority on each Committee. Nominations of non-aligned Members were duly made and considered as follows:

·                Performance, Governance and Audit Committee (one member)

Councillor W Stamp proposed that Councillor U G C Siddall-Norman be nominated as the non-aligned Councillor on this Committee. This proposal was duly seconded and agreed.

·                Strategy and Resources Committee (one member)

Councillor R H Siddall proposed that Councillor A M Lay be nominated as the non-aligned Councillor on the Strategy and Resources Committee. This proposal was duly seconded.

Councillor W Stamp proposed that Councillor U G C Siddall-Norman be nominated as the non-aligned Councillor on this Committee. This proposal was duly seconded.

There being two nominations the Chairperson advised that a vote would be required.

In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor R H Siddall requested a recorded vote. This was duly seconded. The voting was as follows:

For Councillor A M Lay:

Councillors M G Bassenger, V J Bell, S J Burwood, S Dodsley, J Driver, A Fittock, J C Hughes, K Jennings, A M Lay, R H Siddall, N D Spenceley, P L Spenceley, E L Stephens and N J Swindle.

For Councillor U G C Siddall-Norman

Councillors D O Bown, J R Burrell-Cook, M F L Durham, A S Fluker, L J Haywood, K M H Lagan, W J Laybourn, S J N Morgan, C P Morley, M G Neall, R G Pratt, U G C Siddall-Norman, W Stamp, J C Stilts, M E Thompson and L L Wiffen.

The Chairperson declared that Councillor U G C Siddall-Norman was therefore appointed to the Strategy and Resources Committee.

In response to a Point of Order raised by Councillor Siddall, the Chairperson confirmed the number of Councillors that had voted for Councillor Lay and Councillor Siddall-Norman.

·                Licensing Committee (one member)

Councillor S J N Morgan proposed that Councillor A M Lay be nominated as the non-aligned Councillor on the Licensing Committee. This proposal was duly seconded and agreed.

·                Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Overview and Scrutiny Committee (meeting as the Crime and Disorder Committee) (one member)

Councillor R H Siddall proposed that Councillor V J Bell be nominated as the non-aligned Councillor on these Committees. This proposal was duly seconded and agreed.

·                Joint Standards Committee (two members)

Councillor R H Siddall proposed that Councillor A M Lay be nominated as one of the non-aligned Councillors on the Joint Standards Committee. This proposal was duly seconded.

Councillor S J N Morgan proposed that Councillor V J Bell be nominated as the other non-aligned Councillor on this Committee. This was duly seconded.

It was therefore agreed that Councillors V J Bell and A M Lay were appointed to the Joint Standards Committee.

·                Investigating and Disciplinary Committee (two members)

Councillor J C Stilts proposed that Councillor A M Lay be nominated as one of the non-aligned Councillors on the Investigating and Disciplinary Committee. This proposal was duly seconded.

Councillor S J N Morgan proposed that Councillor V J Bell be nominated as the other non-aligned Councillor on this Committee. This was duly seconded.

It was therefore agreed that Councillors V J Bell and A M Lay were appointed to the Joint Standards Committee.

·                Investigating and Disciplinary Panel (two members)

Councillor J C Stilts proposed that Councillor U G C Siddall-Norman be nominated as one of the non-aligned Councillors on the Investigating and Disciplinary Panel. This proposal was duly seconded.

Councillor S J N Morgan proposed that Councillor S White be nominated as the other non-aligned Councillor on this Panel. This was duly seconded.

It was therefore agreed that Councillors V J Bell and S White were appointed to the Joint Standards Committee.

The Chairperson then moved that Appendix A to the report be agreed, subject to the above nominates and without the proposed new District Planning Committee (from September 2026). He advised that the Appointments Board would be appointed at a later point in the meeting. This was duly agreed by assent.

RESOLVED

(i)             that the membership of the Committees of the Council as set out below be agreed: