Agenda item

To receive nominations and appoint a Chairman to each of the under-mentioned bodies.  In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Part 3, Sections 12 and 13, only non-Executive Members are entitled to vote on (a) and (b) below:

(a)        Overview and Scrutiny Committee - shall not be a member of the largest political group represented on Cabinet

(b)        Budget and Performance Panel - shall not be a member of the largest political group represented on Cabinet

(c)        Licensing Regulatory Committee

(d)        Licensing Act Committee

(e)        Planning and Highways Regulatory Committee

(f)          Personnel Committee

(g)        Appeals Committee

(h)        Audit Committee – may not be a Member of Cabinet or Overview & Scrutiny

(i)          Appraisal Panel – may not be the Leader

(j)          Standards Committee – Council is requested to note the re-appointment of Mr. Stephen Lamley as Chairman for period of 3 years from May 2008 agreed by Council on 20^th June 2007 (Minute No. 37 refers)

(k)        Council Business Committee

The Mayor requested nominations for a Chairman for each of the Council’s Regulatory and Standing Committees and for the Overview and Scrutiny bodies.  He again reminded Members that in accordance with the Council’s Constitution only non-Executive Members were entitled to vote on the Chairmen proposed for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Budget and Performance Panel.

In relation to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor John Gilbert was nominated by Councillor Kirkman and seconded by Councillor Day. 

There being no further nominations, the Mayor declared Councillor Gilbert Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

In relation to the Budget and Performance Panel, Councillor Roger Sherlock was nominated by Councillor Clifford and seconded by Councillor Hanson.  Councillor Sarah Fishwick was nominated by Councillor Bray and seconded by Councillor Williamson. 

On being put to the vote there were 25 votes for Councillor Sherlock and 10 votes for Councillor Fishwick, whereupon the Mayor declared Councillor Sherlock Chairman of the Budget and Performance Panel.

In relation to the Licensing Regulatory Committee, Councillor Chris Coates was nominated by Councillor Trolinger and seconded by Councillor Heath.  Councillor Tony Wade was nominated by Councillor Knight and seconded by Councillor Ashworth.

On being put to the vote there were many votes for Councillor Wade, whereupon the Mayor declared Councillor Wade Chairman of the Licensing Regulatory Committee.

In relation to the Licensing Act Committee, Councillor Joyce Taylor was nominated by Councillor Knight and seconded by Councillor Burns. 

There being no further nominations, the Mayor declared Councillor Taylor Chairman of the Licensing Act Committee.

In relation to the Planning and Highways Regulatory Committee, Councillor Anne Chapman was nominated by Councillor Trolinger and seconded by Councillor Heath.  Councillor Eileen Blamire was nominated by Councillor Clifford and seconded by Councillor Denwood.  Councillor Helen Helme was nominated by Councillor Fishwick and seconded by Councillor Bray.  Councillor Keith Budden was nominated by Councillor Knight and seconded by Councillor Kerr.

On being put to the vote there were 10 votes for Councillor Chapman, 16 for Councillor Blamire, 10 for Councillor Helme and 20 for Councillor Budden.

Since this did not represent a majority for the leading nomination the Mayor advised that, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 19.4, a further vote would be taken, having discounted the nomination with the least votes.   There was however a tied vote in relation to the nominations with the least votes and the Mayor declared that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 19.6 a second vote would therefore be taken.

There were then 10 votes for Councillor Chapman, 15 for Councillor Blamire, 10 for Councillor Helme and 20 for Councillor Budden.

Since the votes remaining tied after this second vote, the Mayor declared that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 19.6, determination of the nomination with the least votes would now be settled by the drawing of lots.

This was undertaken by the Chief Executive and Head of Democratic Services, whereupon, the Mayor declared that Councillor Helme would now be discounted and a further vote was taken on the remaining 3 nominations.

There were then 10 votes for Councillor Chapman, 22 for Councillor Blamire and 22 for Councillor Budden.

Since this did not represent a majority for any nomination the Mayor advised that, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 19.4, a further vote would be taken, having discounted the nomination with the least votes on this occasion, being Councillor Chapman.  There were then 22 votes for Councillor Blamire and 33 votes for Councillor Budden, whereupon the Mayor declared Councillor Budden Chairman of the Planning and Highways Regulatory Committee.

In relation to the Personnel Committee, Councillor Susan Bray was nominated by Councillor Williamson and seconded by Councillor Rogerson.  Councillor Keran Farrow was nominated by Councillor Knight and seconded by Councillor Dennison.

On being put to the vote there were 23 votes for Councillor Bray and 27 votes for Councillor Farrow, whereupon the Mayor declared Councillor Farrow Chairman of the Personnel Committee.

In relation to the Appeals Committee, Councillor Sheila Denwood was nominated by Councillor Clifford and seconded by Councillor Hanson.  Councillor Shirley Burns was nominated by Councillor Knight and seconded by Councillor Kerr.

On being put to the vote there were 31 votes for Councillor Denwood and 20 votes for Councillor Burns, whereupon the Mayor declared Councillor Denwood Chairman of the Appeals Committee.

In relation to the Audit Committee, Councillor Tony Johnson was nominated by Councillor Bray and seconded by Councillor Charles.  Councillor Janice Hanson was nominated by Councillor Bryning and seconded by Councillor Smith.  Councillor Roger Dennison was nominated by Councillor Knight and seconded by Councillor Archer.

On being put to the vote 16 Members voted for Councillor Johnson, 17 for Councillor Hanson and 19 for Councillor Dennison. 

Since this did not represent a majority for the leading nomination the Mayor advised that, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 19.4, a further vote would be taken, having discounted the nomination with the least votes, being Councillor Johnson.  There were then 27 votes for Councillor Hanson and 24 for Councillor Dennison, whereupon the Mayor declared Councillor Hanson Chairman of the Audit Committee.

In relation to the Appraisal Panel, Councillor Evelyn Archer was nominated by Councillor Knight and seconded by Councillor Greenall.  Councillor Roger Mace was nominated by Councillor Charles and seconded by Councillor Bray.

On being put to the vote there were 23 votes for Councillor Archer and 24 votes for Councillor Mace, whereupon the Mayor declared Councillor Mace Chairman of the Appraisal Panel.

In relation to the Standards Committee, Members were reminded that the re-appointment of the current Chairman, Mr. Stephen Lamley for a further period of 3 years from May 2008 had been approved by Council in June 2007. (Minute No. 37(2007/08) refers.)

In relation to the Council Business Committee, Councillor Smith was nominated by Councillor Clifford and seconded by Councillor Denwood.  Councillor Bray was nominated by Councillor Fishwick and seconded by Councillor Helme.  Councillor Dennison was nominated by Councillor Knight and seconded by Councillor Kerr.  Councillor Trolinger was nominated by Councillor Heath and seconded by Councillor Coates.

On being put to the vote, 19 Members voted for Councillor Smith, 10 for Councillor Bray, 16 for Councillor Dennison and 10 for Councillor Trolinger.

Since this did not represent a majority for the leading nomination the Mayor advised that, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 19.4, a further vote would be taken, having discounted the nomination with the least votes.   There was however a tied vote in relation to the nominations with the least votes and the Mayor declared that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 19.6 a second vote would therefore be taken.

There were then 19 votes for Councillor Smith, 10 for Councillor Bray, 16 for Councillor Dennison and 9 for Councillor Trolinger.

The Mayor then declared that as the nomination with the least votes, Councillor Trolinger would be discounted at this point.

A vote was then taken on the remaining nominations when there were 26 votes for Councillor Smith, 10 for Councillor Bray and 16 for Councillor Dennison.

Since this did not represent a majority for the leading nomination the Mayor advised that, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 19.4, a further vote would be taken, having discounted the nomination with the least votes, being Councillor Bray on this occasion.  There were then 37 votes for Councillor Smith whereupon the Mayor declared Councillor Smith Chairman of the Council Business Committee.

Resolved:-

That the following be appointed Chairmen of the undermentioned Committees for 2009/10: