Agenda item

To consider a report by the Corporate Director, Legal & Democratic (Monitoring Officer).

The Council considered a report on the appointment to Committees, Joint Committees and the election of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen for 2020/21.

The nominations to committees from the Political Group Leaders had been circulated to all councillors prior to the meeting. It was proposed by Cllr S Flower and seconded by Cllr P Wharf that the three recommendations be approved.

In respect of recommendation 3, it was proposed by Cllr N Ireland and seconded by Cllr K Wheller that this be amended to give delegated authority to the Harbour Committee members to appoint the Chairman and Vice-Chairman at their first meeting following the meeting of Annual Council..

This amendment was debated with various points raised.  Some members thought the amendment went against the Council's constitution; that the Council had the statutory responsibility for Harbours and the appointments should sit with it; and the amendment would allow Council members to be overruled by the independent members on the Committee.  Other members thought independent members of this Committee should have the opportunity to appoint the Chairman and Vice-Chairman as they were an integral part of Committee.

Upon being put to the vote the amendment was lost.

Upon being put to the vote, the original proposal was agreed.

Decisions

(i)         That the allocation of committee seats and the appointments to committees and joint committees, as nominated by the Political Group Leaders, be approved for 2020/21.

(ii)        That delegated authority be given to Political Group Leaders to make in-year changes to committee appointments.

ii)         That the nominations for committee Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen for 2020-21 be approved.