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ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING			18 May 2019

REVIEW OF ALLOCATION OF SEATS ON COMMITTEES

Final Decision-Maker	Council
Lead Head of Service	Angela Woodhouse, Head of Policy, Communications and Governance
Lead Officer and Report Author	Debbie Snook, Democratic Services Officer
Classification	Public
Wards affected	All

Executive Summary
Following the Borough Council elections on 2 May 2019, a review has been undertaken of the allocation of seats on Committees.� The Council is asked to agree that the allocation of seats on Committees be as set out in Appendix 1 to this report.
Purpose of Report Decision

This report makes the following recommendation to Council:
1. That the allocation of seats on Committees be as set out in Appendix 1 to this report.

Timetable
*Meeting*		*Date*
Annual Council Meeting		18 May 2019

REVIEW OF ALLOCATION OF SEATS ON COMMITTEES

1. CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS

Issue	Implications	Sign-off
Impact on Corporate Priorities	There are no direct impacts on corporate priorities arising from this, but the Committees when in place discharge the functions delegated to them having regard where appropriate to the Council�s strategic objectives.	Democratic Services Officer
Risk Management	See section 5 below.	Democratic Services Officer
Financial	The Committees appointed having regard to the political balance requirements form part of the plan for the committee system of governance and as such there are no additional financial implications.	Section 151 Officer
Staffing	There are no staffing implications.	Democratic Services Officer
Legal	The Council must allocate seats on Committees to the different political groups to reflect the size of each political group � section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Consideration should be given to the matters outlined in the legislation.	Head of Mid-Kent Legal Services
Privacy and Data Protection	No specific issues arise.	Data Protection Officer
Equalities	The review will ensure an equitable political representation in membership of Committees.	Equalities and Corporate Policy Officer
Crime and Disorder	No specific issues arise.	Democratic Services Officer
Procurement	No specific issues arise.	Democratic Services Officer
Cross Cutting Objectives	No specific issues arise.	Democratic Services Officer

2.�� INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

2.1�� The Council has a statutory requirement under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 to ensure political proportionality in the membership of Committees.� Following the Borough Council elections on 2 May 2019, the composition of the Council is as follows:

��

Conservative	24
Liberal Democrat	20
Independent	5
Labour	4
Independent Maidstone	2
Total	55

2.2�� A review has been undertaken of the allocation of seats on Committees taking into account the change in the composition of the Council and the changes arising from the Committee Structure Review to be implemented for the 2019/20 Municipal Year.

3.�� AVAILABLE OPTIONS

3.1�� The allocation of seats on individual Committees which achieves overall political balance is set out in Appendix 1.

3.2�� Section 17 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 provides for exceptions to the political balance requirements.� Essentially, the Council can amend the political balance of a Committee provided that notice of the intention to give such consideration has been given to all Members of the Council and that when the alternative arrangements are put to the vote at the Council meeting, no Member of the Council votes against them.

4.�� PREFERRED OPTION AND REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION

4.1�� Following consultation with Group Leaders, it is proposed that the allocation of seats on individual Committees, which achieves overall political balance, be as set out in Appendix 1.

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5.�� RISK

5.1�� The review of the allocation of seats on Committees will ensure an appropriate political balance in membership of Committees.

6.�� CONSULTATION RESULTS AND PREVIOUS COMMITTEE FEEDBACK

6.1�� Group Leaders have been consulted on the allocation of seats on Committees and the adjustments required.

7.�� NEXT STEPS: COMMUNICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION

7.1�� Once the allocation of seats has been decided upon, there is a duty to give effect to the allocation by making appointments to them in accordance with the wishes of the Group Leaders on behalf of their respective Political Groups.

8.�� REPORT APPENDICES

�� Appendix 1: Review of Allocation of Seats on Committees

9.�� BACKGROUND PAPERS

�� None