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MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL ACTING AS CORPORATE TRUSTEE OF THE CHARITY KNOWN AS THE COBTREE MANOR ESTATE |
18 May 2019 |
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REVIEW OF ALLOCATION OF SEATS ON THE COBTREE MANOR ESTATE CHARITY COMMITTEE |
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Final Decision-Maker |
Maidstone Borough Council acting as Corporate Trustee of the Charity Known as the Cobtree Manor Estate |
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Lead Head of Service |
Angela Woodhouse, Head of Policy, Communications and Governance
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Lead Officer and Report Author |
Debbie Snook, Democratic Services Officer
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Classification |
Public |
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Wards affected |
All |
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Executive Summary |
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Following the Borough Council elections on 2 May 2019, a review has been undertaken of the allocation of seats on the Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee. The Council, acting as Corporate Trustee, is asked to agree the allocation of seats on the Committee.
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Purpose of Report
Decision
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This report makes the following recommendation to Council: |
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1. That the allocation of seats on the Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee as set out below be approved:
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Timetable |
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Meeting |
Date |
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Maidstone Borough Council Acting as Corporate Trustee of the Charity Known as the Cobtree Manor Estate |
18 May 2019 |
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REVIEW OF ALLOCATION OF SEATS ON THE COBTREE MANOR ESTATE CHARITY COMMITTEE |
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1. CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS
Issue |
Implications |
Sign-off |
Impact on Corporate Priorities |
N/A |
Democratic Services Officer |
Risk Management |
See section 5 below |
Democratic Services Officer |
Financial |
The Committee forms part of the original 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.
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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.
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Democratic Services Officer |
Procurement |
No specific issues arise.
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Democratic Services Officer |
Cross Cutting Objectives |
N/A |
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 has changed, and this necessitates a review of the allocation of seats on Committees, including the Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee which comprises five Members.
3. AVAILABLE OPTIONS
3.1 To achieve political balance, the allocation of seats on the Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee would be as follows:
Conservative |
2 |
Liberal Democrat |
2 |
Independent |
1 |
Labour |
0 |
Independent Maidstone |
0 |
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 It is proposed, following consultation with Group Leaders, that the Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee be politically balanced, and that the allocation of seats on the Committee be as set out in paragraph 3.1 above.
5. RISK
5.1 The review of the allocation of seats on the Committee will ensure an appropriate political balance in membership of the Committee.
6. CONSULTATION RESULTS AND PREVIOUS COMMITTEE FEEDBACK
6.1 Group Leaders have been consulted on the proposed allocation of seats on the Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee.
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. The Cobtree Manor Estate Charity Committee has indicated previously that it wishes to retain, as far as possible, the same membership for continuity purposes.
8. BACKGROUND PAPERS
None