150523_allocationofseatsoncttees

MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

 

ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING

 

23 MAY 2015

 

REPORT OF THE HEAD OF FINANCE AND RESOURCES

 

Report Prepared by Debbie Snook

 

1.        ALLOCATION OF SEATS ON COMMITTEES

 

1.1           Following the Borough Council elections on 7 May 2015, the composition of the Council is now as follows:

 

Conservative              25       

           Liberal Democrat         20

           Independent              6

           UKIP                           2

           Labour                        2

 

           Total                           55

          

1.2      This necessitates a review of the allocation of seats on Committees.  The review must take into account the new governance arrangements which will take effect at the Annual Meeting.

                                             

1.3      The allocation of seats on individual Committees, which achieves each Political Group’s overall entitlement, is set out in Appendix A.

 

1.4      The calculation assumes the following as previously agreed:

 

           114 seats on Committees;

                   The Policy and Resources Committee and the Employment Committee comprising representatives of all five Political Groups (with a Political Group defined as consisting of two or more Members);

           The Urgency Committee comprising the Leaders of all five Political Groups (not politically balanced); and

           The Planning Referrals Committee comprising three Members, one from each of the largest three Political Groups (not politically balanced).

 

1.5      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.

 

         It is proposed that the Urgency Committee and the Planning Referrals Committee only are not politically balanced as set out in paragraph 1.4 above.

 

1.6    RECOMMENDED:

 

That the allocation of seats on Committees be as set out in Appendix A to this report.