Agenda item

To note the results of two by-elections held on 28 October 2021 and provide Political Group Leaders with an opportunity to review and recommend changes to their respective membership of Committees. The report also provides Council with an opportunity to establish a working group to oversee the Community Governance Review in respect of a Town Council for Grantham.

A report on the Membership of Committees was presented to Members by the Leader of the Council.

The report noted the results of two by-elections (Grantham Arnoldfield Ward and Stamford All Saints Ward), which were held on 28 October 2021. Also noted within the report were changes that had been made to the Council’s Political Balance as a consequence of the results of the by-election and other changes in political affiliation by individual Members and recommended changes to the membership of Committees.

The Independent Group Leader proposed that Councillor Paul Fellows would be appointed on to the Licensing Committee in accordance with the Group’s new allocation based on the revised political proportionality.

The Leader stated the following changes to Committee memberships in respect of the Conservative Group:

·         Councillor Rosemary Kaberry-Brown to be removed from the Licensing Committee. 

·         Councillor Gloria Johnson and Councillor Susan Sandall to be appointed to the Finance, Economic Development and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

·         Councillor Kaffy Rice-Oxley and Councillor Jill Thomas to be appointed to the Companies Committee.

·         Councillor Kaffy Rice-Oxley to be appointed to the Governance and Audit Committee.

·         The vacancy on the Rural and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee to be deferred until after the by-election for the Isaac Newton Ward.

Members voted on the appointments to Committees as proposed by the Leader of the Council and Leader of the Opposition and NOTED that:

1.         Councillor Kathleen Rice-Oxley was elected to the Grantham Arnoldfield Ward following a By-Election on 28 October 2021 and had given notice that she would join the Conservative Group.

2.      Councillor Richard Cleaver was elected to the Stamford All Saints Ward following a By-Election on 28 October 2021 and had given notice that he would join the Independent Group.

3.      Councillor Ian Stokes had changed his political affiliation to Independent (non-aligned).

4.      Councillor John Cottier has changed his political affiliation to Independent (aligned to the Conservative Group).

5.      The political proportionality of the Council had been revised and changes to the allocation of seats to political groups on the Council’s Committees had changed.

DECISION:

That the changes in the membership of Committees submitted by Political Group Leaders, be approved as follows:

·                That Councillor Rosemary Kaberry-Brown be removed from the Licensing Committee and be replaced by Councillor Paul Fellows.

·                That Councillor Rosemary Kaberry-Brown be removed from the Alcohol, Entertainment & Late-Night Refreshment Licensing Committee and be replaced by Councillor Paul Fellows.

·                That Councillors Kaffy Rice-Oxley and Jill Thomas be appointed to the Companies Committee.

·                That Councillors Gloria Johnson and Susan Sandall be appointed to the Finance, Economic Development and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

·                That Councillor Kaffy Rice-Oxley be appointed to the Governance and Audit Committee.

·                That the appointment of a Member to the Rural and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee be deferred until after the by-election for the Isaac Newton Ward.

·                That a Working Group be established to oversee the Community Governance Review, in respect of a Town Council for Grantham, membership of the Working Group to be all the Grantham Charter Trustees.

Discussion on the chairmanship of the Governance and Audit Committee then followed in terms of whose responsibility it was to decide upon the Chairmanship. References were made to sections within the Constitution at both ordinary and annual Council meetings.

The Vice-Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee, Councillor Paul Wood was proposed and seconded and reasons for his appointment specified. Councillor Mark Whittington was also proposed and seconded and reasons for his appointment were also presented.  

A vote was taken on each Councillor nominated following which Councillor Mark Whittington was appointed to the position of Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee.

DECISION:

That Councillor Mark Whittington be appointed as the Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee.