Agenda item

To consider a report of the Head of Democratic and Legal Support Services.

The Head of Democratic and Legal Support Services submitted a report reviewing the Council’s decision-making structure.  He advised that Council was required to approve the size of the proposed committees and the allocation of seats to political groups.  Council noted that three political groups had been formed and their nominations to the seats on committees were detailed in the report now submitted. 

He also advised that a further review of the allocation of seats would be required once the current vacancy on the Council was filled.

Various Members questioned the proposed membership of the Development Management Committee in that only two Members of the Committee represented Bishop’s Stortford.  

The Executive Member for Community Safety and Environment commented that the Committee operated for the whole District and that including substitutes, there were four Bishop’s Stortford Members.

Council approved the proposals as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) the following Scrutiny Committees, Regulatory Committees and Joint Committee be appointed, with the number of voting Members stated:

(B)      the allocation of seats to political groups be as set out in Essential Reference Paper ‘C’ of the report now submitted;

(C)      the membership of Scrutiny Committees, Regulatory Committees and the East Herts Council and Stevenage Borough Council Joint Revenues and Benefits Committee be as set out in Essential Reference Paper ‘D’ of the report submitted, with Members being appointed in accordance with the wishes of the political groups to whom the seats on these bodies have been allocated;

(D)      the intention of the Leader of the Council to appoint 6 Members to the Executive (in addition to the Leader) with the portfolio responsibilities as detailed at Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report submitted, be noted;

(E)      the programme of Council meetings, as detailed at paragraph 5.1 of the report submitted, be approved;

(F)       the Director of Finance and Support Servicesbe authorised to make changes in the standing membership of committees and joint committee in (A) above, in accordance with the wishes of the political groups to whom seats on these bodies have been allocated, and

(G)      the action to be taken by the Director of Finance and Support Services, in consultation with the Leader, under delegated authority, concerning the appointment of representatives to outside bodies, be noted.