Agenda item

Report Attached.

A report was provided proposing the appointment of aldermen and the appointment of new co-optees to the Council’s Overview & Scrutiny Committees.

Aldermen Appointments

To qualify for appointment as an aldermen the proposed recipient must have rendered eminent services to the Council as a past member of the Council, but must not currently be a member of the Council (section 249(1) Local Government Act 1972).

The proposed recipients (former councillors Colette McCormack, Mohammad Ayub, Timothy O’Kane and Terry Hurn) all  had lengthy and distinguished former service with the Council and all were former Mayors of the Borough.  As such, they were all considered to meet the eligibility criteria.

Councillors Judith Addison and Josh Allen expressed disappointment that (former councillor) Peter Britcliffe had not been proposed as an alderman in view of his service of 34 years as a councillor.  Both hoped that he would be considered for nomination in some future year.  Councillor Aziz responded that the current nominees had been put forward by the main political parties, represented diversity and were from across the Borough geographically.  All four were deserving of the honour.  Councillor Dad indicated that nominations were normally discussed at the Leader’s Policy Development Board.  This year’s nomination from the Conservative group was Councillor Hurn.  Other nominations could be considered at future meetings.  Councillor Haworth indicated that some clarity around the selection process for aldermen would be useful.  Councillor Dad reiterated that this was a matter for discussion at the Leader’s Policy Development Board, along with the appointment of freemen.  It was hoped to convene a meeting of this body in June.

Appointment of co-optees to the Overview and Scrutiny Committees

The Council’s usual practice when appointing (non-voting) co-optees to its Overview & Scrutiny Committees was to seek applications from interested members of the public who had qualifications and / or experience that aligned with the remit of the relevant Committee.  The Overview and Scrutiny Committee would next consider the applications received and make recommendations to Council in respect of the individuals proposed for appointment, usually for a term of 2 years.  The appointments would then be made by Council, having regard to the relevant Committee’s recommendations.

The Council’s constitution currently permitted up to four co-optees to be appointed to the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee and also to the Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  The constitution permitted up to two co-optees to be appointed to the Special Scrutiny Committee.  It was proposed that the recruitment process be commenced as quickly as possible, to permit the early appointment of new co-optees.

Resolved                                 (1)   That in accordance with Section 249(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council appoint the following as aldermen: Mr Mohammad Ayub, Mr Timothy O’Kane, Mrs Colette McCormack and Mr Terry Hurn, with the formal presentation to be made at the Mayor Making Council on 29^th June 2024, or should that not prove possible due to the unavailability of the recipient, at some stage during the remainder of the Municipal Year 2024/25.

(2)   That the appointment of the current co-optees to the Council’s three Overview and Scrutiny Committees be terminated with immediate effect and that the Council follow its usual procedure to appoint new co-optees, with the Overview and Scrutiny Committees’ recommendations for co-optee appointments being brought to a future meeting of the Council for consideration and approval.