PAPER C

COUNCIL - 21 NOVEMBER 2001

SEATS ON COMMITTEES - MR BUCKLE CC

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR CORPORATE AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES

To reconsider the position of seats on Committees available to Mr Buckle CC following the last meeting of the Council.

BACKGROUND

At its last meeting the Council agreed a new scheme for the re-distribution of Committee Seats among the political parties following Mr Buckle's resignation from the Labour Group.

Under the Political Proportionate rules Mr Buckle is entitled to be offered two committee seats and there are vacancies on the Licensing Panel and Regulatory Committee. It was agreed that a decision on appointing Mr Buckle to these seats should be deferred to seek Mr Buckle's views on the proposal.

Mr Buckle has now been consulted and he does not wish to sit on these Committees.

Given Mr Buckle's expressed view, and that the legislation requires the Council to allocate at least two seats to Mr Buckle, the only option available to the Council is not to appoint Mr Buckle and therefore leave these seats vacant. The legislation does not permit these seats to be filled by another political group on the Council.

Given that the Licensing Panel has a number of standing deputies, and that the Regulatory Committee only needs 3 of its 15 members to meet, it is felt that leaving these seats vacant is unlikely to cause any administrative issues.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That the vacancies on the Licensing Panel and Regulatory Committee be left unfilled.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Contact Point : Chris Mathews,  823280

MIKE FISHER

Strategic Director

Corporate and Environment Services