Agenda Item No. 6

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Council: 1st March, 2017

Report of the Managing Director

Allocation of Seats on Committees

Purpose of the Report

1. To agree a revised allocation of seats on Committees in order, so far as is practicable, to maintain overall political balance in the light of the recent resignation of Councillor Clive Williams from the Conservative Group.

Recommendation

That Council determine the allocation of seats on Committees, taking into account the political balance calculations attached as Appendix A to the report.

Reason for the Recommendation

To comply with the requirements of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 in terms of political balance.

Background

2. Section 15(5) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 requires that the total number of seats across all Committees should, as far as practicable, reflect the political balance of the Council.

Relevant Issues and Options

3. Members will be aware from the last two Annual Meetings of the procedure agreed by Full Council to determine the allocation of seats across Committees. This includes giving specific consideration initially to the allocation of seats across the five Scrutiny Committees.
4. Attached as Appendix A is the calculation relating to the political balance requirements for Committees in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, following the resignation of Councillor Clive Williams from the Conservative Group. The Conservative Group's overall entitlement to seats across Committees reduces by a total of five. It is important to note that (given the procedure referred to above regarding dealing with Scrutiny Committee memberships initially), one of those five seats that the Conservative Group is required to give up comes from within their overall allocation of seats across Scrutiny Committees. Subject to the approval of Full Council, that seat would then fall to Councillor Clive Williams. Of the remaining four seats, one would fall to the Llantwit First Independent Group and the remaining three to Councillor Williams
5. As an Independent member of the Council, Councillor Williams' entitlement to seats on Committees is a matter for Full Council to consider and determine.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

6. There are no direct implications arising from the report.

Sustainability and Climate Change Implications

7. There are no direct implications arising from the report.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

8. The Council, as far as practicable, is required to comply with the requirements of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 in terms of political balance requirements.

Crime and Disorder Implications

9. There are no direct implications arising from the report.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

10. There are no direct implications arising from the report.

Corporate/Service Objectives

11. Not applicable.

Policy Framework and Budget

12. Changes to the composition, membership and the terms of reference for Committees, and any consequential changes to the Constitution, are matters for Council to determine.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

13. This is an internal matter and, therefore, no external consultation procedure is necessary.

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

14. Corporate Performance and Resources

Background Papers

Report to Annual Meeting: 11th May, 2016

Contact Officer

Jeff Wyatt, Head of Democratic Services, tel: (01446) 709408

Officers Consulted

Managing Director

Monitoring Officer

Responsible Officer:

Rob Thomas, Managing Director