Agenda item

To receive nominations and appoint Chairs to each of the under-mentioned bodies noting that, in accordance with the terms of reference in the Council’s Constitution, only non-Cabinet Members are entitled to vote on (a) and (b) below:-

(a)        Overview and Scrutiny Committee – shall not be a member of any political group which has Councillors on the Cabinet (except where no nominations from non-Cabinet groups are received).

(b)        Budget and Performance Panel – shall not be a member of any political group which has Councillors on the Cabinet (except where no nominations from non-Cabinet groups are received).

(c)        Planning Regulatory Committee

(d)        Licensing Committee

(e)        People and Organisational Development Committee - recommended to include at least one Cabinet Member

(f)         Appeals Committee

(g)        Audit Committee – shall not be a Member of Cabinet or Overview and Scrutiny

(h)        Standards Committee

(i)         Council Business Committee

(j)         Local Government Reorganisation Working Group

The Mayor requested nominations for Chairs for the Overview and Scrutiny bodies, for each of the Council’s Regulatory and Standing Committees and for the LGR Working Group. 

The Mayor reminded Members that in accordance with the Council’s Constitution only non-Cabinet Members were entitled to vote on the Chairs proposed for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Budget and Performance Panel. Nominations for those roles were to be from groups who did not have Councillors on the Cabinet, unless no nominations from non-Cabinet groups were received.

In relation to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Gawith was nominated by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Parr. There were no further nominations and  Councillor Gawith was appointed Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

For the Budget and Performance Panel, Councillor Hanna was nominated by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Parr. Councillor Budden was nominated by Councillor Gardiner, seconded by Councillor Newton.  26 votes were cast for Councillor Hanna; 8 votes were cast for Councillor Budden. The Mayor declared Councillor Hanna Chair of the Budget and Performance Panel.

For the Planning Regulatory Committee, Councillor Thornberry was nominated by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Parr. There were no further nominations and  Councillor Thornberry was appointed Chair of the Planning Regulatory Committee. 

Two nominations were made for Chair of the Licensing Committee. Councillor Tynan was nominated by Councillor Metcalf-Riener, seconded by Councillor Dowding. Councillor Pattison was nominated by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Parr.

On being put to the vote Councillor Tynan received 29 votes and Councillor Pattison received 24 votes, therefore Councillor Tynan was appointed Chair of the Licensing Committee.

Next, Councillor Wood was proposed by Councillor Harris, seconded by Councillor Parr, for the Chair of the People and Organisational Development Committee. No further nominations were made and the Mayor declared Councillor Wood appointed.

In relation to the Appeals Committee, Councillor McGowan was nominated by Councillor Metcalf-Riener, seconded by Councillor Dowding. Councillor Armistead was nominated by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Parr.

Councillor McGowan received 29 votes, Councillor Armistead received 19 votes. The Mayor declared Councillor McGowan appointed Chair of the Appeals Committee.

For the Audit Committee, Councillor Hartley was nominated by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Parr. Councillor Stubbins was nominated by Councillor Metcalf-Riener, seconded by Councillor Brookes. With 30 votes for Councillor Stubbins and 19 votes for Councillor Hartley, Councillor Stubbins was appointed Chair of the Audit Committee.

Next, Councillor Phil Black was proposed by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Parr, for the Chair of the Standards Committee. Councillor Hamish Mills was nominated by Councillor Metcalf-Riener, seconded by Councillor Lenox. Councillor Hamish Mills was appointed, having received 28 votes to Councillor Black’s 24 votes.

In relation to the Council Business Committee, Councillor Parr was nominated by Councillor Wood, seconded by Councillor Phil Black. Councillor Hunter was proposed by Councillor Peter Jackson, seconded by Councillor Greenwell. With 19 votes for Councillor Parr and 29 votes for Councillor Hunter, the Mayor  declared Councillor Hunter Chair of the Council Business Committee.

Finally, for the LGR Working Group, Councillor Caroline Jackson was nominated by Councillor Metcalf-Riener, seconded by Councillor Deery. There were no further nominations, therefore Councillor Caroline Jackson was appointed.

Resolved:-

That the following Councillors be appointed Chairs of the undermentioned bodies for 2025/26: