MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

General Purposes Group

WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2013

REPORT OF HEAD OF POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Report prepared by Caroline Matthews 

1.           Nominations to Outside Bodies

1.1        Issue for Decision

1.1.1   To consider nominations received for Outside Bodies.

1.2        Recommendation of the Head of Policy and Communications

1.2.1   That the nominations set out in the report be considered by the Group.

1.3        Reasons for Recommendation

1.3.1   The nominations to Outside Bodies to be made are listed below.  Copies of the Nomination Forms received are attached at Appendix A and copies of the Job Specifications are attached at Appendix B.

1.3.2   Parking & Traffic Regulation Outside London Adjudication Joint Committee (PATROLAJC)

Vacancy: 1 x Committee Member

The term of office starts with immediate effect until 7^th September 2017

Nominations have been received from Councillors Alistair Black and Peter Parvin.

Recommended: That the Group make an appointment to the vacancy with PATROLAJC.

1.3.3   Action for Communities in Rural Kent

Vacancy: 2 x Committee Members

The term of office starts with immediate effect until 31^st August 2014.

Nominations have been received from Councillors Rodd Nelson-Gracie and Daphne Parvin.

Recommended: That the Group make an appointment to the vacancies with the Action for Communities in Rural Kent.

1.3.4   Maidstone Area Arts Partnership

Vacancy: 2 x Committee Members

The term of office starts with immediate effect until 21^st May 2014.

A nomination has been received from Councillor Jenni Paterson.

Recommended: That the Group make an appointment to one of the vacancies with the Maidstone Area Arts Partnership.

1.3.5   Voluntary Action Maidstone

Vacancy: 2 x Committee Members

The term of office starts with immediate effect until 6^th September 2015.

Nominations have been received from Councillors Bryan Vizzard and Richard Ash.

Recommended:  That the Group make an appointment to the vacancies with the Voluntary Action Maidstone.

1.3.6   Other Vacancies

Members of the Group will note that there are currently fourteen organisations and seventeen vacancies.  Should the Group make appointments to all of those detailed above, then there will still be eleven vacancies. 

1.4        Alternative Action and why not Recommended

1.4.1   The Group could decide not to appoint to Outside Bodies but this is not recommended as representation within the Community is an important role.

1.5        Impact on Corporate Objectives

1.5.1   Appointing to the Outside Bodies in the report will allow Councillors to act as advocates for community issues and represent the Council on bodies that make a difference to the local community.  This supports the corporate priority of corporate and customer excellence and, in particular, the outcome, to ensure vulnerable people are assisted.

1.6        Risk Management

1.6.1   The Group will need to consider the potential risk to the Council’s reputation when making appointments to the bodies listed.  A Scrutiny Review of Outside Bodies identified the importance of monitoring appointments and ensuring Members are fully aware of the role required.

1.7        Other Implications

1.7.1    

1.8        Relevant Documents

1.8.1   Appendices

Appendix ‘A’ – Copies of Nomination Forms Received

Appendix ‘B’ – Copies of Job Specifications for those Outside Bodies to be appointed to. 

1.8.2   Background Documents

None

IS THIS A KEY DECISION REPORT?                  THIS BOX MUST BE COMPLETED   X     Yes                                               No     If yes, this is a Key Decision because: ……………………………………………………………..   …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….     Wards/Parishes affected: …………………………………………………………………………………..   ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..