MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING

15 MAY 2013

REPORT OF THE HEAD OF DEMOCRATIC SERVICES

Report Prepared by Neil Harris

1.        ALLOCATION OF SEATS ON COMMITTEES

1.1           The composition of the Council is now as follows:

Conservative                 30
Liberal Democrat            19
Independent                    5

Labour                             1             

                                                 55

1.1.1      The allocation on individual Committees is set out in Appendix A, whilst Appendix B demonstrates the political balance on the various Committee sizes. 

1.1.2      At the Council Meeting held on 24 April 2013 it was agreed to change the Committee structure to increase the number of Overview and Scrutiny Committees from 3 to 4.  This change has been reflected in Appendix A.

1.1.3      The Planning Referrals Committee is not politically balanced and reflects the membership as set out in the Constitution of 3 Members, with 1 from each political group with a political group defined as consisting of 2 or more Members.  Similarly the Standards Committee is currently also not politically balanced and reflects the membership as set out in the Constitution of 9 Members with 3 from each Political Group.  Section 17 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 provides for exceptions to the Political balance requirements.  In essence 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 Committee and when the alternative arrangements are put to the vote at the Council, no Member of the Council votes against them.

1.2          RECOMMENDED

1.2.1   That the calculation for entitlement on individual Committees and the requisite adjustments as set out in Appendix A be determined.