Agenda item

Report attached.

The Mayor reminded councillors that this section of the meeting was open to the press and public and that it would not be appropriate to discuss the personal circumstances of individuals in the public domain.

Members considered a report of Councillor Peter Edwards, Chair of the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Councillor Paddy Short, Chair of the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which included recommendations for co-opted members to serve on both Committees.

Councillor Paddy Short introduced the report and highlighted the individuals recommended for appointment.

The Councils Constitution, Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule C2 stated:

“Up to four members of the public may be appointed to each Overview and Scrutiny Committee as non-voting co-optees, if they are deemed to have relevant experience of matters falling within the remit of that Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

(i)     Co-optees may be appointed following nomination by a councillor or following an application received directly from a member of the public.

(ii)    Applications received directly from the public will be considered first at the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The Committee will consider the knowledge and experience of the applicant relevant to the terms of reference or work programme of the Committee. If the majority of the Overview and Scrutiny members support the appointment of the applicant, the proposed appointment will be presented to Council for approval.

(iii)   Nominations received from councillors will be presented to the Council for approval, if supported by the Chair of the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee. In reaching a decision, the Council will consider the knowledge and experience of the nominee relevant to the terms of reference or work programme of the Committee.”

The Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee had considered 5 nominations for 4 vacant co-optee positions at its meeting on 26^th July 2023.  The Committee had voted to recommend that Council appointed Jean Battle, Stewart Eaves, June Harrison and Joan West as co-optees.

The Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee had considered 5 nominations for 4 vacant co-optee positions at its meeting on 18^th July 2023.  The Committee had voted to recommend that Council appointed Richard Downie, Doug Hayes, Miles Parkinson and Stacy Walsh as co-optees.

Councillor Kimberley Whitehead spoke against the appointment of Mr Miles Parkinson as a co-optee, citing comments made by Mr Parkinson in an e-mail in February 2014, concerning his then political party colleagues, which she believed could be construed as islamophobic.  She considered that the candidate should not, therefore, be appointed as a co-optee.  Councillor Dave Parkins spoke to express disappointment that an alternative candidate, Mrs Jackie Rawstron, who had local community groups and business experience and was a qualified solicitor (non-practicing), had not been recommended by the Committee.  He was also concerned that no letter had been sent to the candidate to update her on the Committee’s decision.

Councillor Whitehead moved the following amendment:

“To reject the appointment of Mr Miles Parkinson and to request the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee to review their recommendation about this vacancy at the next meeting.”

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule A16.5, six Members present requested a recorded vote on the amendment.  However, no seconder to the amendment was identified at this time.

The Chief Executive advised councillors that the Mayor was considering moving the discussion on this item to Part B (the private section) of the Agenda, as the two candidates mentioned were both present at the meeting and discussion in open session could potentially lead to embarrassment or to sensitive information being disclosed which would be unfair.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule A1(2.4), the Mayor then suspended the debate and deferred this item to the end of the meeting.  The Chief Executive indicated that prior to the item being reopened, the Council would be asked to determine if it wished to exclude members of the press and public.