Agenda item

(i)        Appointment of Committees

 

That Council appoints the following Committees for 2024/25:

 

Appeals Committee

Climate Change Committee

Clwyd Pension Fund Committee

Constitution and Democratic Services Committee

Governance & Audit Committee

Grievance Committee

Grievance Appeals Committee

Investigation and Disciplinary Committee

Joint Governance Committee (for Pensions)

Licensing Committee

Overview & Scrutiny Committees as follows:

·         Community & Housing

·         Corporate Resources

·         Education, Youth & Culture

·         Environment & Economy

·         Social & Healthcare

Planning Committee

Standards Committee

 

(ii)        Size of Committees

 

That the size of each Committee be as set out in paragraph 1.03 of the report.

 

(iii)       Terms of Reference of Committees

 

That the Terms of Reference for each Committee be approved, as set out in the Constitution, subject to a review of the Terms of Reference for the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Climate Change Committee.

 

(iv)       Appointment of Chairs of Standing Committees

 

(a)       That the Chairs of the following Committees be appointed (noting any restrictions on eligibility):

 

·             Climate Change Committee - Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson

·             Clwyd Pension Fund Committee - Councillor Dan Rose

·             Constitution & Democratic Services Committee - Councillor Rob Davies

·             Licensing Committee - Councillor Mike Peers

·             Planning Committee - Councillor Richard Lloyd

 

(b)       That the Grievance Committee, the Grievance Appeals Committee and Investigation & Disciplinary Committee should each appoint their own Chair from amongst their respective memberships.

 

(v)        Political Balance

 

(a)       That seats be allocated in accordance with political balance as set out in the revised spreadsheet and the rules on membership of the Committees as set out within the report; and

 

(b)       That the seats on the Grievance, Grievance Appeals and Investigation and Disciplinary Committees be allocated to give a broad political spread of membership.

 

(vi)       Appointment of Chairs of Overview & Scrutiny Committees

 

That the Chairs of Overview & Scrutiny Committees be allocated as follows:

 

Overview & Scrutiny Committee:                Group to choose Chair:

Community & Housing                                 Independent

Corporate Resources                                   Independent

Education, Youth & Culture                        Labour

Environment & Economy                             Labour

Social & Healthcare                                      Flintshire People’s Voice

 

(vii)      Approval of the Constitution

 

That the rules, procedures, delegations and codes/protocols within the Constitution be approved.

 

(viii)    Nominations to Internal Bodies

 

That the make-up of the Appointments Committee be approved.

 

(ix)       Standards Committee

 

That Councillor Ian Hodge be appointed as a third Councillor to serve on the Standards Committee for the remainder of this term.

 

(x)        Appointments to Outside Bodies

 

That Council delegates authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with Group Leaders, to make any amendments to appointments to outside bodies as required.

The Council considered the report of the Chief Officer (Governance) which dealt with matters that required decision at the Annual Meeting, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 1.1 (vii) - (xiv).  The report also dealt with the appointment of other Committees and Chairs and other issues such as allocation of seats under political balance.  The report was split into sections, each one dealing with one decision that needed to be made and the relevant issues for consideration.

 

Councillor Ian Roberts moved recommendations 1, 2 and 3 (subject to a review of the Terms of Reference for the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee and the name and responsibilities of the Climate Change Committee).  The motion was seconded by Councillor Ted Palmer and on being put to the vote, was carried.

 

(i)        Appointment of Committees

 

RESOLVED:

 

That Council appoints the following Committees for 2024/25:

 

Appeals Committee

Climate Change Committee

Clwyd Pension Fund Committee

Constitution and Democratic Services Committee

Governance & Audit Committee

Grievance Committee

Grievance Appeals Committee

Investigation and Disciplinary Committee

Joint Governance Committee (for Pensions)

Licensing Committee

Overview & Scrutiny Committees as follows:

·         Community & Housing

·         Corporate Resources

·         Education, Youth & Culture

·         Environment & Economy

·         Social & Healthcare

Planning Committee

Standards Committee

 

(ii)        Determination of the size of Committees

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the size of each Committee be as set out in paragraph 1.03 of the report.

 

(iii)       Terms of Reference of Committees

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the Terms of Reference for each Committee be approved, as set out in the Constitution, subject to a review of the Terms of Reference for the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Climate Change Committee.

 

At this point, there was an adjournment to consider changes to political balance due to the formation of the new political group.  Upon reconvening, the Chief Officer (Governance) suggested a change in the order of items as the appointment of Committee Chairs would help to inform Political Balance on which two revised options were shared.  On being put to the vote, this was agreed.

 

(iv)      Appointment of Chairs of Standing Committees

 

The Chief Officer (Governance) explained that Committee Chairs were appointed by different bodies as set out in paragraph 1.17, noting restrictions on eligibility.  Whilst Overview & Scrutiny Committees were chosen by the political groups based on the strength of the various groups and which had seats on the Cabinet, Council was required to appoint Chairs for five of the Committees.

 

For Chair of the Climate Change Committee, Councillor Helen Brown’s nomination for Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson was duly seconded as was Councillor David Healey’s nomination for Councillor Geoff Collett.

 

Councillor David Healey suggested that the review of the Terms of Reference give more focus to the protection of nature through diversity.

 

A recorded vote was requested to which the requisite number of Members stood in support.

 

The following voted for Councillor Collett:

Councillors: Sean Bibby, Chris Bithell, Mel Buckley, Teresa Carberry, Tina Claydon, Geoff Collett, Paul Cunningham, Ron Davies, Chris Dolphin, Rosetta Dolphin, Mared Eastwood, David Evans, David Healey, Gladys Healey, Dave Hughes, Ray Hughes, Paul Johnson, Christine Jones, Simon Jones, Fran Lister, Richard Lloyd, Gina Maddison, Hilary McGuill, Ryan McKeown, Billy Mullin, Ted Palmer, Michelle Perfect, Vicky Perfect, Ian Roberts, Kevin Rush and Linda Thomas.

 

The following voted for Councillor Ibbotson:

Councillors: Mike Allport, Glyn Banks, Pam Banks, Marion Bateman, Gillian Brockley, Helen Brown, David Coggins Cogan, Steve Copple, Bill Crease, Rob Davies, Adele Davies-Cooke, Chrissy Gee, Ian Hodge, Andy Hughes, Dennis Hutchinson, Alasdair Ibbotson, Richard Jones, Dave Mackie, Roz Mansell, Allan Marshall, Debbie Owen, Andrew Parkhurst, Mike Peers, Carolyn Preece, David Richardson, Dan Rose, Dale Selvester, Jason Shallcross, Sam Swash, Linda Thew, Ant Turton, Roy Wakelam and Antony Wren.

 

On being put to the vote, Councillor Ibbotson was appointed Chair of the Climate Change Committee.

 

For Chair of the Clwyd Pension Fund Committee, Councillor David Coggins Cogan’s nomination for Councillor Dan Rose was duly seconded as was Councillor Sean Bibby’s nomination for Councillor Ted Palmer.  A recorded vote was requested to which the requisite number of Members stood in support.

 

The following voted for Councillor Palmer:

Councillors: Sean Bibby, Chris Bithell, Mel Buckley, Teresa Carberry, Tina Claydon, Geoff Collett, Paul Cunningham, Ron Davies, Chris Dolphin, Rosetta Dolphin, Mared Eastwood, David Evans, David Healey, Gladys Healey, Dave Hughes, Ray Hughes, Paul Johnson, Christine Jones, Simon Jones, Fran Lister, Richard Lloyd, Gina Maddison, Hilary McGuill, Ryan McKeown, Billy Mullin, Ted Palmer, Michelle Perfect, Vicky Perfect, Ian Roberts, Kevin Rush and Linda Thomas.

 

The following voted for Councillor Rose:

Councillors: Mike Allport, Glyn Banks, Pam Banks, Marion Bateman, Gillian Brockley, Helen Brown, David Coggins Cogan, Steve Copple, Bill Crease, Rob Davies, Adele Davies-Cooke, Chrissy Gee, Ian Hodge, Andy Hughes, Dennis Hutchinson, Alasdair Ibbotson, Richard Jones, Dave Mackie, Roz Mansell, Allan Marshall, Debbie Owen, Andrew Parkhurst, Mike Peers, Carolyn Preece, Dan Rose, Dale Selvester, Jason Shallcross, Sam Swash, Linda Thew, Ant Turton, Roy Wakelam and Antony Wren.

 

On being put to the vote, Councillor Rose was appointed Chair of the Clwyd Pension Fund Committee.

 

For Chair of the Constitution & Democratic Services Committee, Councillor Helen Brown’s nomination for Councillor Rob Davies was seconded by Councillor Mike Peers.  There were no further nominations and on being put to the vote, this was carried.

 

For Chair of the Licensing Committee, Councillor Ibbotson’s nomination for Councillor Peers was duly seconded as was Councillor Sean Bibby’s nomination for Councillor Rosetta Dolphin.  A recorded vote was requested to which the requisite number of Members stood in support.

 

The following voted for Councillor Peers:

Councillors: Mike Allport, Glyn Banks, Pam Banks, Marion Bateman, Gillian Brockley, Helen Brown, David Coggins Cogan, Steve Copple, Bill Crease, Rob Davies, Adele Davies-Cooke, Chrissy Gee, Ian Hodge, Andy Hughes, Dennis Hutchinson, Alasdair Ibbotson, Richard Jones, Dave Mackie, Roz Mansell, Allan Marshall, Debbie Owen, Andrew Parkhurst, Mike Peers, Carolyn Preece, Dan Rose, Dale Selvester, Jason Shallcross, Sam Swash, Linda Thew, Ant Turton, Roy Wakelam and Antony Wren.

 

The following voted for Councillor Rosetta Dolphin:

Councillors: Sean Bibby, Chris Bithell, Mel Buckley, Teresa Carberry, Tina Claydon, Geoff Collett, Paul Cunningham, Ron Davies, Chris Dolphin, Rosetta Dolphin, Mared Eastwood, David Evans, David Healey, Gladys Healey, Dave Hughes, Ray Hughes, Paul Johnson, Christine Jones, Simon Jones, Fran Lister, Richard Lloyd, Gina Maddison, Hilary McGuill, Ryan McKeown, Billy Mullin, Ted Palmer, Michelle Perfect, Vicky Perfect, Ian Roberts, Kevin Rush and Linda Thomas.

 

On being put to the vote, Councillor Mike Peers was appointed Chair of the Licensing Committee.

 

For Chair of the Planning Committee, Councillor Richard Jones nominated Councillor Richard Lloyd.  There were no further nominations and on being put to the vote, this was carried.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)       That the Chairs of the following Committees be appointed (noting any restrictions on eligibility):

 

·             Climate Change Committee - Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson

·             Clwyd Pension Fund Committee - Councillor Dan Rose

·             Constitution & Democratic Services Committee - Councillor Rob Davies

·             Licensing Committee - Councillor Mike Peers

·             Planning Committee - Councillor Richard Lloyd

 

(b)       That the Grievance Committee, the Grievance Appeals Committee and Investigation & Disciplinary Committee should each appoint their own Chair from amongst their respective memberships.

 

(v)       Political Balance

 

The report set out the basis of the statutory requirement for allocating committee seats to political groups as well as separating out the ‘employment’ committees to ensure that smaller groups were not disadvantaged; a practice which required specific agreement from all Members.  The rules did not apply to Cabinet or Standards Committee.

 

The Chief Officer (Governance) referred to the two additional options which had been circulated and advised that option 5 did not align with the Committee Chairs determined in the previous item.  His recommendation that the second (untitled) option be adopted was put to the vote and carried.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)       That seats be allocated in accordance with political balance as set out in the revised spreadsheet and the rules on membership of the Committees as set out within the report; and

 

(b)       That the seats on the Grievance, Grievance Appeals and Investigation and Disciplinary Committees be allocated to give a broad political spread of membership.

 

(vi)      Appointment of Chairs of Overview & Scrutiny Committees

 

The Chief Officer (Governance) explained the requirements for the appointment of Chairs of Overview & Scrutiny Committee taking into account the strength of the various political groups and those with seats on Cabinet.  In conclusion, the Labour and Independent groups were each entitled to two seats and the newly formed Flintshire People’s Voice group were entitled to one seat.

 

Councillor Richard Jones proposed that the Independent group retain the Chairs of Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Community & Housing Overview & Scrutiny Committee.  He also proposed that the Flintshire People’s Voice group nominate the Chair of the Social & Health Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee, with the Labour group nominating chairs for the two remaining committees.  This was duly seconded and on being put to the vote, was carried.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the Chairs of Overview & Scrutiny Committees be allocated as follows:

 

Overview & Scrutiny Committee:            Group to choose Chair:

Community & Housing                                 Independent

Corporate Resources                                   Independent

Education, Youth & Culture                        Labour

Environment & Economy                             Labour

Social & Healthcare                                      Flintshire People’s Voice

 

(vii)     Approval of the Constitution

 

The Chief Officer (Governance) sought approval of the Constitution which detailed the Council’s functions and was kept under rolling review.

 

On being put to the vote, the recommendation was carried.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the rules, procedures, delegations and codes/protocols within the Constitution be approved.

 

(viii)    Nominations to Internal Bodies

 

The existing Scheme of Delegation provided for an Appointments Committee for first and second tier officers comprising seven Members.  This was not a standing Committee and was convened when required by seeking nominations from Group Leaders.

 

Councillor Marion Bateman moved approval of the recommendation and was seconded by Councillor Roy Wakelam.  On being put to the vote, this was carried.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the make-up of the Appointments Committee be approved.

 

(ix)      Standards Committee

 

The Chief Officer explained the composition of the Standards Committee, including the three County Councillors who had been appointed until April 2027.  As Councillor Andrew Parkhurst had stood down from the Committee, nominations were sought to replace him for the remainder of this term.

 

Councillor Helen Brown proposed that Councillor Ian Hodge be appointed.  This was seconded by Councillor Richard Jones and on put to the vote, was carried.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That Councillor Ian Hodge be appointed as a third Councillor to serve on the Standards Committee for the remainder of this term.

 

(x)       Appointments to Outside Bodies

 

As appointments had been made at the 2022 Annual Meeting for the whole Council term, approval was sought for delegated authority to be given to the Chief Executive, in consultation with Group Leaders, to make any amendments to appointments to outside bodies, as required.

 

The recommendation was put to the vote and carried.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That Council delegates authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with Group Leaders, to make any amendments to appointments to outside bodies as required.