Agenda item

To consider the appointment of Committees/Sub Committees; the allocation of seats on Committees/Sub Committees to Political Groups; the appointment of Chairs and Deputy Chairs of Committees/Sub Committees; and the appointment of representatives to serve on outside bodies that exercise non-executive functions for the 2022/23 Municipal Year.

The Council was requested to consider the appointment of committees and sub committees, Chairs and Deputy Chairs of those committees/sub committees, the allocation of seats to political groups on those committees/sub committees, the appointment of co-opted members on the Audit Committee and the appointment of representatives to serve on outside bodies that exercised non-executive functions for the 2022/23 Municipal year.

It was moved by the Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn and seconded by Councillor C Johnson that:

1.     The following committees/sub committees be appointed for the 2021/22 municipal year on the basis of the number of seats indicated

2.     The allocation of seats on committees and sub committees, and also the Constitution Task Group and the Members Support Group, and the monitoring officer be informed of nominations of members to each by 12 noon on Friday 20 May 2022.

3.     the following nomination of chairs and deputy chairs of committees/sub committees for the 2022/23 municipal year be approved:

4.     In accordance with the Authority’s practice, the Elected Mayor is Chair of the Appointments and Disciplinary Committee.

5.     The Authority’s Constitution requires that the two co-opted members of the Audit Committee shall fulfil the roles of Chair and Deputy Chair of the Committee. Mr Kevin Robinson currently serves as Chair of the Committee, with Mr Malcolm Wilkinson serving as Deputy Chair.

6.     In accordance with the Audit Committee’s terms of reference, the terms of office of Mr Robinson and Mr Wilkinson are due to expire in September 2023.  The appointment of co-opted members is a matter reserved to the full Council, on the recommendation of the Chief Executive (and Section 151 Officer if the post holder is other than the Chief Executive). It is considered that Mr Robinson and Mr Wilkinson are suitably skilled and experienced persons who are knowledgeable in audit matters and have enhanced the work of the Audit Committee since their initial appointment in September 2013. The Council is therefore requested to approve the appointment of Mr Robinson and Mr Wilkinson.

7.     The Council is requested to note the appointment of Reverend Michael Vine as the Church of England Diocesan representative and Mr. Stephen Fallon as the Roman Catholic Diocesan representative on the Overview, Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee. The Council is also requested to consider and determine whether or not it is appropriate to appoint any representative of other faiths/denominations to serve on the Committee.

8.     The Council is requested to appoint representatives to serve on those outside bodies which do not exercise executive functions for the 2022/23 municipal year, as set out in Appendix 2 to this report.

An amendment was moved by Councillor L Bones and seconded by Councillor C Johnston as follows:

Alternative nominations for Chairs and Deputy Chairs of committees/sub committees for the 2022/23 municipal year:

       i.          Chair for Overview, Scrutiny & Policy Development Committee proposed Councillor Liam Bones and

     ii.          Deputy Chair of Children, Education & Skills sub-committee proposed Councillor Christopher Johnston.

The amended Motion, on being put to the meeting, was defeated 48 votes to 3 votes.

The substantive motion, on being put to the meeting, was approved by 48 votes to 0 votes.