Agenda item
Review of proportionality and allocation of places on committees
To review proportionality and the allocation of places on the committees and panels of the Council, following the election of councillors on 3rd July 2014 to represent Blackwall and Cubitt Town Ward. The report of the Service Head, Democratic Services is attached.
Minutes:
The Council considered the report of the Service Head, Democratic Services on the allocation of places on Committees and other bodies covered by the proportionality requirements in Local Government and Housing Act 1989 following the delayed election in Blackwall and Cubitt Town Ward held on 3 July 2014.
Councillor Rachael Saunders moved, and Councillor Khales Ahmed seconded a tabled amendment. The amendment replaced the table on page 31 of the report with that set out below, the figures in brackets being the only changes from the original report to Council:
Committee/panel |
Total |
Labour |
Tower Hamlets First |
Conservative |
Overview & Scrutiny Committee (plus 6 co-optees) |
9 |
5 |
3 |
1 |
Health Scrutiny Panel |
7 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
Appeals Committee |
9 |
4 (-1) |
4 (+1) |
1 |
Audit Committee |
7 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
Development Committee |
7 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
Strategic Development Committee |
9 |
5 (+1) |
3 (-1) |
1 |
General Purposes Committee |
7 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
Human Resources Committee |
7 |
4 (+1) |
2 (-1) |
1 |
Licensing Committee |
15 |
7 (-1) |
7 (+1) |
1 |
Pensions Committee |
7 |
4 |
3 |
- |
Standards Advisory Committee (plus 7 co-optees) |
7 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
TOTAL |
|
45 |
36 |
10 |
At the request of a number of Members the Speaker agreed that the meeting would adjourn briefly to allow Members to consider the tabled amendment.
The meeting adjourned at 9.51 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 10.04 p.m.
The Interim Monitoring Officer advised the meeting that the tabled amendment was in order and could lawfully be considered by the Council. Following debate the amendment moved by Councillor Rachael Saunders was put to the vote and was agreed.
Councilllor Oliur Rahman the moved, and Councillor Alibor Choudhury seconded a further tabled amendment as follows:-
“That overall seats are increased by 1 from 91 to 92.
This will enable a tweaking of the number of seats on the few committees in which Labour’s proposal wishes to adjust but in a way that ensures proportionality overall and proportionality in the committees.
The amendments are:
Increase Strategic Development Committee seats by 1 – THF seats increase by 1 to 3.
Increase HR Committee seats by 1 – THF seats increase by 1 to 3
Decrease Licensing Committee seats by 1 – THF seats decrease by 1 to 6
Labour as required by proportionality will continue to have the majority on all committees.”
The Interim Monitoring Officer advised the meeting that the tabled amendment was in order and could lawfully be considered by the Council. Following debate the amendment moved by Councillor Oliur Rahman was put to the vote and was defeated.
The recommendations, as amended, were then put to the vote and were agreed. Accordingly it was:-
RESOLVED
1. That the review of proportionality be noted and the Council approve the above amended table showing the allocation of seats on committees and panels established for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2014/15.
2. That Members and deputies be appointed to serve on committees and panels in accordance with nominations from the political groups to be notified to the Service Head, Democratic Services.
Supporting documents: