Agenda item

To make a decision on the Council's political structures and appointments.

(a)         Political and Constitutional Structures

The Leader of the Council introduced the report and commented that no changes were proposed to the existing Committee and scrutiny structures.

The recommendation in paragraph 1 on page 3 of the agenda papers was moved by Cllr Simon Geraghty and seconded by Cllr Adrian Hardman.

RESOLVED: that

a)     the political structures established under the previous Council and set out in the Constitution (summarised in this report) be confirmed;

b)     the size of the Council’s ordinary committees and proposed allocation of seats between the political Groups on those committees and on Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Authority be agreed as set out in Appendix 1 attached to these Minutes;

c)     the individual members be appointed to those committees in accordance with the nominations from time to time of the respective political Groups in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, and the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance be required to give effect to such wishes expressed by the political Groups;  and

d)     the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance be authorised to settle any outstanding details relating to the political structures and to make changes as necessary to the Council's Constitution (Articles and Appendices) to give effect to the Council's decisions and any other revisions necessary to reflect needs or circumstances.

(b)        Constitutional and Other Appointments

The recommendation in paragraph 22 on page 6 of the agenda papers was moved by Cllr Simon Geraghty and seconded by Cllr Adrian Hardman.

The nomination of Cllr Richard Udall for Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board was moved by Cllr Mel Allcott and seconded by Lynn Denham.

It was then proposed by Cllr Matt Jenkins and seconded by Cllr Beverley Nielsen that Cllr Tom Wells be appointed Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board.

On being put to the vote, Cllr Tom Wells was appointed Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board.

The nomination of Luke Mallett for Vice-Chairman of Waste Credit Governance Committee was moved by Cllr Mel Allcott and seconded by Cllr Lynn Denham.

It was then proposed by Cllr Matt Jenkins and seconded by Cllr Natalie McVey that Cllr Matt Jenkins be appointed Vice-Chairman of Waste Credit Governance Committee.

On being put to the vote, Cllr Luke Mallett was appointed Vice-Chairman of Waste Credit Governance Committee.

RESOLVED: that

a)   the Constitutional Appointments be made as set out in Appendix 2 attached to these Minutes; and

b)   the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance be authorised to finalise appointments to outside bodies in consultation with Group Leaders as set out in the report.

(c)         Council Meeting Dates 2022

County Council meeting dates were currently scheduled up to November 2021. To enable the 2022 meetings programme to be produced and help members plan their commitments, the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance suggested that further meetings of the Council be now scheduled for 2022.  In accordance with the usual practice and pattern of meetings, further meetings (Cabinet, Committees and Panels) would be arranged in the light of the Council dates and members notified in due course.

RESOLVED that the Council approves its programme of meetings for 2022 as follows:

13 January 2022

17 February

19 May

14 July

08 September

10 November