Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director of Resources and Governance

The Executive Director of Resources and Governance submitted a report (previously circulated) to advise Council of the outcome of a review to the political balance of the Authority resulting from a change to the membership of a political group and the recalculation of the percentage number of seats each political party/non-aligned Independents are entitled to.

The submitted report stated that since the last review of the political balance of the Council in September 2024, there had been a change to the political make-up of the Council following Councillor Robinson no longer being a Member of the Green Group on the Council. The submitted report clarified that Councillor Robinson will remain on the Council as an Independent Member.

Members were advised that Political Groups are allocated seats on the committees in accordance with political balance rules, which were set out in the report, and that, as a result of the change to the political balance, the Council was now required to review the allocation of seats to political groups.

RESOLVED – (a) That the change to the political balance of the Council be noted.

(b)       That the Green Group lose one seat from the following Committees:

a)                  Adults Scrutiny Committee

b)                  Health and Housing Scrutiny Committee, and

c)                  LEA Governors Committee.

(c)       That Councillor Robinson ceases to be a member of Planning Applications Committee and Licensing Committee;

(d)       That Councillor Coe ceases to be a member of the Climate Change Working Group;

(e)       That Councillor Robinson be appointed to the LEA Governors Committee and the Climate Change Working Group;

(f)        That it be noted that the Adults Scrutiny Committee and the Health and Housing Scrutiny Committee will have one seat each that is unallocated at this time.

REASON - To reflect the changed political balance of the Council and to comply with legislation.