Issue - meetings

To agree the representation of the different political groups and the appointment of members to the Development Sub-Committee  as found at Appendix A (attached).

Please note, the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee were unable to nominate to all of the available seats but the Development Sub-Committee can still be formed and is able to carry out its functions providing there is a quorum present at the meeting.

The Quorum for the Sub-Committee is one quarter (two members).  

The Mayor informed members that the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee were unable to nominate to all five of the available seats at their meeting on 5 July 2021 but that the Development Sub-Committee could still be formed and would be able to carry out its functions providing there was a quorum present at their meetings.

The Quorum for the Sub-Committee is one quarter (two members). 

The Mayor further clarified that those seats without nominations were for Conservative Group Councillors and could not be filled by other groups as there was a legal requirement for the sub-committee to be politically proportionate.

It was proposed by Councillor L. Nichols and seconded by Councillor J. Sexton and resolved that the allocation of seats on the Development Sub-Committee as shown at Appendix A be approved.

To nominate five members to the Development Sub-Committee taking into account political balance as set out in the attached document.

The Committee noted that since the publication of the agenda, the Environment and Sustainability Committee had resolved to nominate Councillors J. Doran (Labour) and R. Smith-Ainsley (Independent Spelthorne Group) to sit on the Development Sub-Committee.

The Committee further noted that the United Spelthorne Group had expressed their wish for Councillor Helen Harvey to take the seat allocated to the United Spelthorne Group, and Liberal Democrat Green Group had expressed their wish that Councillor Lawrence Nichols take the seat allocated to the Liberal Democrat Green Group.

The Chairman informed the Committee that the Conservative Group were entitled to three seats on the Development Sub-Committee and that no nominations had been received. The Chairman asked if the Committee had any further nominations to make and in response it was proposed by Councillor Barnard, and seconded by Councillor Islam, that Councillor Noble be nominated. Councillor Noble accepted the nomination. 

The Chairman explained that the Committee had three nominations before them and, although this was two short, it would not prevent the nominations being considered by Council or the Sub-Committee from meeting, as the Sub-Committee would be quorate if one quarter (two members) were present at meetings of that Sub-Committee.

Resolved that;

1.    the following three Councillors were nominated by the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee for membership of the Development Sub-Committee:

Councillor Helen Harvey

Councillor Lawrence Nichols

Councillor Robert Noble

2.    the Committee’s nominations, together with those from the Environment and Sustainability Committee would be determined by Council at their meeting on 15 July 2021.

To nominate two members to sit on the Development Sub-Committee taking into account political balance as set out in the attached document.

It was resolved that Councillors John Doran and Richard Smith-Ainsley were nominated by the Environment and Sustainability Committee for membership of the Development Sub-Committee.

The Committee’s nominations, together with those from the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee to be considered and determined by Council at their meeting on 15 July 2021.

Reason for Decision:

To ensure nominations for a politically balanced Development Sub-Committee were made in accordance with the Constitution.