Decision details

RESOLVED:

(1)   That the amendments as set out within this report to Standing Order 4.2 contained within Appendix 1 Annex A of the HGB Standing Orders, in Section 11 of the NHC Constitution were approved.

(2)   That the Council delegated authority to the Monitoring Officer to undertake any necessary amendments to the Constitution, in respect of the Service Director: Regulatory and the Service Director: Housing & Environment (to take effect on successful appointment/ commencement).

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)   Section 11 of the Constitution contains the Standing Order 4.2 contained within Appendix 1 Annex A the Hertfordshire Growth Board Standing Orders deals with the re-appointment of the Chair and states:

“The appointment of the Chair described in 4.1 shall be for a term up to the first meeting of the HGB that follows both the 2021 local elections and the 2021 Annual Meetings of the constituent Councils (the Post-Election Meeting). At the Post Election Meeting, the Board may either re-appoint the same member as Agenda Item 12 Chair or appoint a new Chair for a term of two years. Save in the above case, the Chair shall serve a single consecutive term of two years.”

(2)   It has been identified that the wording of Standing Order 4.2 is ambiguous and unclear in relation to the term of Chairs and the re-election of Chairs for periods exceeding two years. Therefore, each member council has been consulted on amendments to Standing Order 4.2, which will make it clearer, and which will allow for the re-election of the current Chair. The Hertfordshire County Council’s Monitoring Officer has requested that this be brought to the Council meeting in July.

(3)   It is therefore recommended that 4.2 is amended to:

“With effect from the Annual General Meeting 2023 the appointment of the Chair and Vice Chair shall be decided annually as the first substantive item of business at the AGM.”

(4)   To ensure that effective delegations can be put in place in time for any new (temporary) appointment.