To consider a report that seeks to appoint the Council’s committees, working parties, Chairmen/women and Vice-Chairmen/women, outside organisations and other groups.

The Council considered the submitted report on the appointment of committees, working parties, Chairman/women and Vice-Chairman/women and representatives on other Outside Bodies, in light of the political balance of the Council.  A revised officer recommendation had been circulated prior to the meeting.

 

Councillor David Thomas proposed and Councillor Chris Lewis seconded a motion, as set out below:

 

1.         that the overall political balance of the committees as set out at Appendix 1 to the submitted report be approved;

 

2.         that, in accordance with the Local Protocol for Working Parties, the overall political balance of working parties as set out in Appendix 2 to the submitted report be approved;

 

3.         that, subject to 1. and 2. above, the Terms of Reference and membership for the Council’s Committee’s, Sub-Committees and working parties be approved as set out in Appendix 3 to the submitted report;

 

4.         that, subject to 3. above being approved, nominations from Group Leaders be received to fill the seats on the committees (as circulated on 25 May 2023);

 

5.         that, subject to 3. above, the Chairmen/women and Vice-Chairmen/women of those Committee’s be approved as set out in Appendix 4 to the submitted report (as circulated on 25 May 2023);

 

6.         that the Licensing Sub-Committee be exempted from the rules of committee proportionality as defined in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and supporting regulations;

 

7.         that the Head of Governance Support be authorised to empanel Members from the Licensing Committee to serve on the Licensing Sub-Committee as and when required;  and

 

8.         that, subject to the inclusion of the Cabinet Member for Culture or their nominee being the Council’s representative on Torbay Local Heritage Grant Scheme, the outcome of the review and proposed appointments to the outside bodies and other groups for 2023 to 2027 set out in Appendix 5 to the submitted report be approved.

 

During the debate Councillor Steve Darling proposed and Councillor Long seconded an amendment to the motion as follows:

 

1.         that the overall political balance of the committees as set out at Appendix 1 be approved;

 

2.         that, in accordance with the Local Protocol for Working Parties, the overall political balance of working parties as set out in Appendix 2 below be approved;

 

 

 

 

3.         that, subject to 1. and 2. above, the Terms of Reference and membership for the Council’s Committee’s, Sub-Committees and working parties be approved as set out in Appendix 3 with the additional Working Parties being appointed as follows:

 

Affordable Housing Delivery Working Party

 

Terms of Reference:

 

1.         To ensure the Council’s response to the Housing Crisis is appropriately aligned to the level of need and the Housing Strategy continues to meet need; with recommendations being made to Council as to appropriate changes to the Strategy as required.

 

2.         To ensure that the maximum amount of affordable housing is achieved through Council funded schemes and other opportunities, with either private sector or registered providers, as they arise.

 

3.         To consider recommending to Council additional budget allocation to ensure delivery of the Housing Strategy.

 

Cost of Living Response Working Party

 

Terms of Reference:

 

1.         To ensure that the Council’s policy and strategy to support people with the Cost of Living Crisis and current spend is sufficient to meet demand, and make recommendations to Council for additional funding where needed.

 

2.         To keep under review the Council Tax Support Scheme and its impact on the collection fund and make recommendations to Council on any budget or strategy changes required.

 

Town Centres and Premier Resort Regeneration Working Party

 

Terms of Reference:

 

1.         To ensure delivery of capital projects which will continue to enhance Town Centres and deliver the Premier Resort objectives and to make recommendations to Council for additional funding to ensure Government’s funding allocations are not lost.

 

2.         To identify additional funding and make recommendations to Council to support opportunities for inward investment.

 

4.         That, subject to 3. above being approved, nominations from Group Leaders be received to fill the seats on the committees;

 

5.         That, subject to 3. above, the Chairmen/women and Vice-Chairmen/women of those Committee’s be approved as set out in Appendix 4;

 

6.         That the Licensing Sub-Committee be exempted from the rules of committee proportionality as defined in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and supporting regulations;

 

7.         That the Head of Governance Support be authorised to empanel Members from the Licensing Committee to serve on the Licensing Sub-Committee as and when required;

 

8.         That, the outcome of the review and proposed appointments to the outside bodies and other groups for 2023 to 2027 set out in Appendix 5 to the submitted report be approved.

 

The amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.

 

Councillor David Thomas’ and Councillor Chris Lewis’ original motion was then considered by the Council which was agreed, as set out below:

 

1.         that the overall political balance of the committees as set out at Appendix 1 to the submitted report be approved;

 

2.         that, in accordance with the Local Protocol for Working Parties, the overall political balance of working parties as set out in Appendix 2 to the submitted report be approved;

 

3.         that, subject to 1. and 2. above, the Terms of Reference and membership for the Council’s Committee’s, Sub-Committees and working parties be approved as set out in Appendix 3 to the submitted report;

 

4.         that, subject to 3. above being approved, nominations from Group Leaders be received to fill the seats on the committees (as circulated on 25 May 2023);

 

5.         that, subject to 3. above, the Chairmen/women and Vice-Chairmen/women of those Committee’s be approved as set out in Appendix 4 to the submitted report (as circulated on 25 May 2023);

 

6.         that the Licensing Sub-Committee be exempted from the rules of committee proportionality as defined in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and supporting regulations;

 

7.         that the Head of Governance Support be authorised to empanel Members from the Licensing Committee to serve on the Licensing Sub-Committee as and when required;  and

 

8.         that, subject to the inclusion of the Cabinet Member for Culture or their nominee being the Council’s representative on Torbay Local Heritage Grant Scheme, the outcome of the review and proposed appointments to the outside bodies and other groups for 2023 to 2027 set out in Appendix 5 to the submitted report be approved.

 

Following the vote, the nominations for members to serve on each committee and other bodies were confirmed by the Leaders of the Conservative, Independent and Liberal Democrat Groups as set out in Appendix 3 to the submitted report.