Issue - meetings

Report of the Assistant Director of Scrutiny and Democratic Services attached.

The Council considered a report of the Assistant Director of Scrutiny and Democratic Services that sought approval to make appointments to the Council’s Committee’s and Working Groups.

The Leader of the Council explained that it was only down to the circumstances surrounding Councillor Ken Jone’s illness, that he was having to make these changes and asked for the Leader of the Opposition not to take this opportunity to try to seek an amendment to the political composition of the Committee’s.

It was proposed by Councillor Paul Foster, seconded by Councillor Mick Titherington that

1.    Councillor James Flannery replace Councillor Ken Jones on the Licensing and Public Safety Committee;

2.    Councillor James Flannery be appointed the Chair of the Licensing and Public Safety Committee;

3.    Councillor Colin Sharples replace Councillor Ken Jones on the Governance Committee;

4.    Councillor Colin Sharples be appointed the Vice Chair of Governance Committee;

5.    Councillor Keith Martin replaces Councillor Ken Jones as the Chair of the Climate Emergency Task Group

Whilst the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Margaret Smith had every sympathy with Councillor Jones’s situation, she felt that the report before her had to be dealt with and said that she did intend to propose an amendment.

Councillor Smith explained that Councillor Damian Bretherton was appointed to the Governance Committee in May and had since become an active member, attending every meeting and attending various conferences. The Local Government Association’s best practice guidance was for the Vice Chair of the Committee to be a member of the opposition, as was evidenced at Chorley Council.

An amendment to the motion was proposed by Councillor Margaret Smith, seconded by Councillor Phil Smith, to appoint Councillor Damian Bretherton to Vice Chair of Governance Committee.

Upon being put to the vote, the amendment to the motion was lost (Yes: 23, No: 24).

A vote on the substantive motion was then taken and was subsequently

RESOLVED (Yes: 24:, No: 23) that the recommendations be approved.