MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

General Purposes Group

9 SEPTEMBER 2014

REPORT OF THE 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 as Appendix A and copies of the Job Specifications are attached as Appendix B to this report.

1.3.2   Town Centre Management Board

Vacancy: 1 x Director

There is no term of office, the position would be until the Member resigns or is no longer a serving Councillor.

Nominations have been received from Councillors Dennis Collins and Clive English.

Recommended:  That the Group make an appointment to the vacancy with the Town Centre Management Board.

1.3.3   Town Centre Management Liaison Group

Vacancy: 3 Members (although one should be a High Street Ward Member)

The term of office is 1 year.

A nomination has been received from Councillor Martin Round and Councillor Mrs Fran Wilson has indicated that she would like to be the High Street Ward Member representative.

Recommended: That the Group:-

(a)     make an appointment to one of the vacancies with the Town
          Centre Management Liaison Group;

(b)     note that Councillor Mrs Wilson wishes to take up the position of
         High Street Ward Member on this Group; and

(c)     that Officers continue to seek nominations for the other vacant
         seat.

1.3.4   Maidstone YMCA

Vacancy: 2 x Committee Members

The term of office is 1 year.

A nomination has been received from Councillor Derek Mortimer.

Recommended: That the Group make an appointment to one of the vacancies and that Officers continue to seek nominations for the other vacant seat.

1.3.5   Mid Kent Downs Steering Group

Vacancy: 1 x Committee Member and 1 Substitute Member

The term of office is 1 year.

Nominations have been received from Councillors Richard Ash and Daphne Parvin.

Recommended: That the Group make an appointment to the vacancies.

1.3.6   K.C.C. Youth Advisory Group

Vacancy: 1 x Committee Member

The term of office is 4 years.

Nominations have been received from Councillors Paul Harper and Martin Round.

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

1.3.7   Action with Communities in Rural Kent

Vacancy: 2 x Committee Members

The term of office is 1 year

A nomination has been received from Councillor Martin Round.

Recommended: That the Group make an appointment to one of the vacancies and that Officers continue to seek nominations for the other vacancy.

1.3.8   Maidstone Area Arts Partnership

Vacancy: 2 x Committee Members

The term of office is 1 year

Nominations have been received from Councillors Jenni Paterson and Paul Harper.

Recommended: That the Group make an appointment to the vacancies.

1.3.9   Youth and Community Charity

Vacancy: 1 x Committee Member

The term of office is 4 years

A nomination has been received from Councillor Paul Harper.

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

1.3.10                Kent County Playing Fields Association

Vacancy: 1 x Committee Member

The term of office is 2 years

Nominations have been received from Councillors David Naghi, Martin Round and Paul Harper.

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

1.3.11                Kent Downs AONB Joint Advisory Committee

Vacancy: 1 x Committee Member

The term of office is 1 year

Nominations have been received from Councillors Daphne Parvin and Val Springett.

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

1.3.12                Maidstone/Beauvais Twinning Association

Vacancy: 4 x Committee Members

The term of office is 1 year

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

Recommended: That the Group make an appointment to three of the vacancies and that Officers continue to seek nominations for the other vacancy.

1.3.13                Upper Medway Internal Drainage Board

Vacancy: 2 x Committee Members

The term of office is 2 years

Nominations have been received from Councillors Martin Round and Peter Parvin.

Recommended: That the Group make an appointment to the vacancies.

1.3.14                Police and Crime Panel

An appointment to this body is made by the Leader.  The Leader has therefore indicated that it is her intention to remain as the Council’s representative on the Police and Crime Panel which discusses the Police Crime Commissioner’s recent decisions and actions.

Recommended:  That the decision be noted.

1.3.15                West Kent Health and Wellbeing Board

An appointment to this body is made by the Leader.  The Leader has therefore indicated that it is her intention to continue to be the Council’s representative on the West Kent Health and Wellbeing Board.

Recommended:  That the decision be noted.

1.3.16                Other Vacancies

No other nomination forms have been received for the other vacancies advertised to Members.  The current situation, including vacancies, is attached at Appendix ‘C’.

Recommended:  That Officers continue to seek nominations for the vacancies.

1.4        Insurance Cover

1.4.1   It has recently become apparent that the Council’s insurance policy covers only those Members who are nominated by the Council to serve on any of the outside bodies who are specifically a Not for Profit Organisation (NFPO).  If the body is not a NFPO, there is an expectation that the company would have their own insurance cover for those Members and we will be pursuing this with the individual organisations concerned to seek confirmation.

Recommended:  That Members:

(i)    note the action being taken; and

(ii)   that Officers advise individual Members accordingly of their
       insurance status when representing the Council on outside
       bodies.

1.5        Alternative Action and why not Recommended

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

1.6        Impact on Corporate Objectives

1.6.1   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.

1.7        Risk Management

1.7.1   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.   This is achieved by Members completing an annual review form to ensure that the roles are effective.  Members are also given a job specification of the roles to ensure that they can assess the aims and objectives of the organisations concerned.

1.8        Other Implications

1.8.1    

1.9         Relevant Documents

1.9.1   Appendices

Appendix A – Nomination forms
Appendix B – Job Specifications
Appendix C – Current Situation

1.9.2   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: …………………………………………………………………………………..   ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..