Agenda item

To report on the operation of political groups, the change to the political balance of the Council and the entitlement of each group and non-aligned Members to seats on the authority’s committees.

Consideration was given to the report which detailed how, in accordance with the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, the Proper Officer was required to notify the Council of any change in the political balance of the Authority or the operation of new political groups under the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990. Since the last meeting held on 4th September, 2019, the Proper Officer had received notification of a change in the political balance of the Authority.

There were 2 political groups in operation on the Council – the Brexit Party Group (11 Members) and the Labour Group (48 Members) – with 4 non-aligned Members, who were not in a political group.

There were 149 seats available on committees, boards and panels and under the calculation the Labour Group was entitled to 114 seats and the Brexit Party Group entitled to 28. This left 7 seats which could not be given to members of the political groups and should be allocated to the 4 non-aligned Councillors.  Details of the vacant seats and nominations were circulated at the meeting.

The Council also had 2 seats on the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel, one of which was appointed to on 22nd May, 2019. The current vacancy must be filled by a member of the Brexit Party Group or a non-aligned Member and be appointed to by the Council.

Councillor Brian Cutts had been nominated by the Brexit Party Group to serve on the Police and Crime Panel, whilst Councillors Read and Watson of the Labour Group nominated Councillor Short to the same role.

Councillor Read recalled the reasons why the Council in October 2018 had determined that Councillor B. Cutts had not been a suitable representative to serve on the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel, after a finding from the Standards and Ethics Sub-Committee that he had breached the Member Code of Conduct. 

Councillor Read reminded Members that the decision had been reached unanimously following the finding of the Standards and Ethics Sub-Committee. By virtue of his failure to meet the requirements of the Member Code of Conduct, Councillor B. Cutts was uniquely unqualified to represent the Borough.

He further referenced the Council’s contact with the Home Office and their advice about rejecting Councillor B. Cutts’ appointment.  As it would appear no suitable Brexit Party Member could be appointed, it was proposed that a non-aligned Member be appointed to the Police and Crime Panel. 

It was, therefore, proposed that Councillor P. Short resumed his place on the Police and Crime Panel.  He had previously represented the Council and the UKIP Party Group, as it was last year, so was eminently qualified to take that role again.

Councillor Cutts addressed the meeting requesting a copy of the correspondence with the Home Office and further asked if the Legal Department would assist him with sending his own report.

Councillor Cowles in response considered it unfair of the Leader to say that the Home Office rejected Councillor B. Cutts when in actual fact they were not prepared to intervene in this particular issue preferring for the matter to be resolved locally.

Councillor Jepson was in support of Councillor Short as he had previously done an excellent job for the Council so was more than happy to support his nomination.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the operation of 2 political groups on the Council and the detail of their designated Leaders be noted:-

Labour Group – Councillor Chris Read (Leader of the Council)

Brexit Party Group – Councillor Allen Cowles (Leader of the Majority Opposition Group).           

(2)  That the entitlement of the membership of the political groups and non-aligned Members be agreed and such entitlements be reflected in Council’s appointments of Members to Committees.

(3) That the appointment of Councillor McNeely to the Planning Board and non-aligned Members to committees, boards and panels, as detailed below, be approved:-

Licensing Board                                                       Vacant

Licensing Committee                                              Vacant

Planning Board                                                        Councillor P. Short

Standards and Ethics Committee                         Councillor N. Simpson

Overview and Scrutiny Management Board       Councillor C. Jepson

Health Select Commission                                                Councillor P. Short

Improving Lives Select Commission                    Councillor N. Simpson

Improving Places Select Commission                 Councillor C. Jepson

Introductory Tenancy Review Panel                    Councillor P. Short

(4)  That Councillor Short, a non-aligned Member, be appointed to serve on the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel.

Mover:-  Councillor Read                           Seconder:-  Councillor Watson