Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SERVICES MANAGER

To inform the Council of the appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs for 2025/26.

RESOLVED: That the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of Committees (except Community Forums) for 2025/26 be appointed in accordance with the details set out in Appendix A to the report, provided as a supplement, as amended, with the addition of:

·       Councillor Claire Winchester as the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

·       Councillor Jon Clayden as the Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

·       Councillor Emma Fernandes as the Vice-Chair of the Planning Control Committee

·       Councillor Keith Hoskins as the Chair of the Employment Committee.

REASON FOR DECISION: To comply with the provisions of Standing Order 4.8.1(a)(ix) of the Council’s Constitution.

Audio recording – 51 minutes 38 seconds

 The Chair noted that the Liberal Democrat Group Leader had advised of the following appointment, subsequent to those published:

·       Councillor Keith Hoskins as Chair of the Employment Committee.

The Conservative Group Leader made a request to nominate Councillor Elizabeth Dennis as Chair of the Planning Control Committee and this was seconded by Councillor Martin Prescott.

Councillor Daniel Allen advised that this would be not possible as Cllr Dennis was not a member of the Planning Control Committee.

The Chair confirmed that Councillor Elizabeth Dennis could not be nominated for Chair of the Planning Control Committee as she was not a member of that committee.

In response to a question from Councillor Matt Barnes, the Director – Governance advised that there was no reason to preclude a Member from being Chair of the Planning Control Committee if they were married to the Executive Member for Place (ie Planning).  Both should conduct themselves in a professional manner, and in respect of the Chair of Planning Control Committee – that was a quasi-judicial Committee, so each planning case should be dealt with in an open and transparent manner and considered on its individual merits.

The Chair invited Councillor Daniel Allen, Leader of the Council to move the report regarding the appointment of Chair and Vice-Chairs of Committees for the Civic Year 2025-26.

A vote was taken as two nominations had been received for the position of the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Councillors Ralph Muncer and Claire Winchester. Councillor Martin Prescott proposed Councillor Muncer and Councillor Steven Patmore seconded. Councillor Ruth Brown proposed Councillor Winchester and Councillor Chris Lucas seconded.

A vote was taken as two nominations had been received for the position of the Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Councillors Martin Prescott and Jon Clayden. Councillor Ralph Muncer proposed Councillor Prescott and Councillor David Barnard seconded. Councillor Chris Lucas proposed Councillor Clayden and Councillor David Chalmers seconded.

A vote was taken as two nominations had been received for the position of the Vice-Chair of the Planning Control Committee - Councillors Martin Prescott and Emma Fernandes. Councillor Ralph Muncer proposed Councillor Prescott and Councillor David Barnard seconded. Councillor Daniel Allen proposed Councillor Fernandes and Councillor Val Bryant seconded.

Councillor Val Bryant proposed as amended and Councillor Daniel Allen seconded and, following at vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of Committees (except Community Forums) for 2025/26 be appointed in accordance with the details set out in Appendix A to the report, provided as a supplement, as amended, with the addition of:

·       Councillor Claire Winchester as the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

·       Councillor Jon Clayden as the Vice-Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

·       Councillor Emma Fernandes as the Vice-Chair of the Planning Control Committee

·       Councillor Keith Hoskins as the Chair of the Employment Committee.

REASON FOR DECISION: To comply with the provisions of Standing Order 4.8.1(a)(ix) of the Council’s Constitution.