Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director of Scrutiny and Democratic Services attached

The Council considered the report of the Assistant Director of Scrutiny and Democratic Services which provided details of the allocation of Committee Places in accordance with the Political Balance Rules and the proposed Membership of the Committees for 2018/19. An amended copy of the appendix to the report, setting out the revised appointments to the various committees for 2018/19 was circulated at the meeting.

It was moved by Councillor Mary Green, seconded by Councillor Caroline Moon:

That

(1)       the allocation of Committee Places in accordance with the Political Balance Rules, as set out in the report be noted;

(2)       the Members, Chairs and Vice-Chairs for the Committees as set out in the revised appendix to the report be appointed for a period of twelve months until the First Business Meeting of the Council to be held in May 2019; and

(3)       the Interim Monitoring Officer be authorised to amend the Constitution to take into account the changes to the number of members on the Committees referred to in Paragraph 7.5 of the report.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Paul Foster, (Leader of the Opposition), seconded by Councillor David Wooldridge that the vote on the Chairs and Vice Chairs of the General Licensing Committee and Licensing Act Committee be taken separately.

Councillor Peter Mullineaux asked for a short recess. Councillor Mary Green (Leader of the Council) indicated that she did not feel that was necessary and the Mayor subsequently refused the request.

Following debate and in accordance with Rule 16.4 in Part 4 of the Constitution, the voting on the amendment was recorded and the Members of Council present at the time, voted as follows:

FOR THE AMENDMENT:

Councillors Jane Bell, David Bird, Renee Blow, Mal Donoghue, Bill Evans, Derek Forrest, Paul Foster, Harold Hancock, Mick Higgins, David Howarth, Ken Jones, Susan Jones, Keith Martin, Elizabeth Mawson, Mike Nelson, James Patten, Caleb Tomlinson, Ian Watkinson, David Watts, Jonathan Woodcock and David Wooldridge.

AGAINST AMENDMENT:

Councillors Warren Bennett, Mary Green, Michael Green, Claire Hamilton, Jon Hesketh, Cliff Hughes, Caroline Moon, Jacqui Mort, Barbara Nathan, Mike Nathan, Rebecca Noblet, Alan Ogilvie, John Rainsbury, Susan Snape, David Suthers, Paul Wharton and Linda Woollard

ABSTENTION

Councillors Carol Chisholm, Colin Coulton, Jim Marsh, Peter Mullineaux, Graham Walton and Karen Walton

The Mayor declared that the amendment was carriedby 21 votes to 17 with 6 abstentions.

Councillor Foster addressed Council and indicated that the Labour Group did not consider Councillor Paul Wharton to be a “fit and proper person” to take the Chair of both Licensing Committee’s and felt that they could not support the proposal of the Leader of the Council.

Councillor Mary Green (Leader of the Council) responded by saying that it was unprecedented for the Council to vote against the Leader’s proposed appointments and urged members to consider this when voting as it could set a dangerous precedent for the future.

The Leader of the Council stated that she had submitted the appointments based upon the abilities, skills and preferences of the people concerned and had not taken any decision lightly, and that the Councillors were considered to be the best candidate for each position. Along with the Leader, Cabinet Members, Councillors Michael Green, Caroline Moon, Warren Bennett and a member of the public spoke in support of the proposal to appoint Councillor Paul Wharton as Chair of the two Licensing Committee’s, whilst Councillors David Wooldridge and David Howarth spoke against. Councillors Peter Mullineaux and Colin Coulton both stated that they were struggling with which way to vote.

Following the debate, the vote on the proposal that Councillor Paul Wharton be appointed as Chair for the General Licensing Committee and Licensing Act Committee, Councillor Barbara Nathan be appointed as Vice Chair of the General Licensing Committee and Councillor Jacqui Mort be appointed as Vice Chair of the Licensing Act Committee was taken.

The Mayor declared that the proposal was lost by 21 votes to 18 with 5 abstentions.

Following a request from Councillor Mary Green (Leader of the Council) the Mayor agreed to adjourn the meeting for 20 minutes.

Upon recommencement of the meeting Councillor Graham Walton alleged  that outside of the meeting, he had been subjected to a defamatory comment by Councillor Paul Wharton and stated that he would be submitting a complaint to the Standards Committee.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Mary Green, seconded by Councillor Moon that:

Councillor David Suthers be appointed as the Chair and Councillor Jaqueline Mort as the Vice Chair of the General Licensing Committee, and that Councillor David Suthers be appointed as the Chair and Councillor Barbara Nathan as the Vice Chair of the Licensing Act Committee.

A vote on the amendment was taken and it was carried unanimously.

A vote on the Substantive Motion was then taken and it was

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That

(1)       the allocation of Committee Places in accordance with the Political Balance Rules, as set out in the report be noted;

(2)       the Members of all Committees, Chairs and Vice-Chairs for the remaining Committees as set out below be appointed for a period of twelve months until the First Business Meeting of the Council to be held in May 2019:

(3)       the Interim Monitoring Officer be authorised to amend the Constitution to take into account the changes to the number of members on the Committees referred to in Paragraph 7.5 of the report.