MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

COUNCIL

16 SEPTEMBER 2015

REPORT OF THE HEAD OF FINANCE AND RESOURCES

Report Prepared by Debbie Snook

1.        REVIEW OF ALLOCATION OF SEATS ON COMMITTEES (IF NECESSARY)

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

Conservative              25       

           Liberal Democrat         20

           Independent              6

           Labour                        2

           UKIP                           2

           Total                           55

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

1.3      The calculation assumed 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).

1.4      Following the death of Councillor Black, the Conservative Group has 24 Members and a by-election will be held on 10 September 2015 to fill the resultant vacancy.  Depending upon the outcome of the by-election, a request may be received for a review to be carried out of the arrangements for the allocation of seats to Political Groups under Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

1.5      If a request is received, the revised allocation of seats on individual Committees which achieves each Political Group’s overall entitlement will be reported at the meeting.  The calculation will be based on the criteria previously agreed and will propose that only the Urgency Committee and the Planning Referrals Committee are not politically balanced as set out in paragraph 1.3 above.

1.6      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.

1.7    RECOMMENDED:

That, if necessary, the allocation of seats on Committees be reviewed and determined.

Background Documents

None.