Agenda item

To appoint representatives to outside bodies for the 2019/20 Municipal Year.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor M. Brunt introduced a report concerning the annual appointment of representatives to serve on outside bodies. The Executive was informed that the Council appointed representatives to serve on numerous outside bodies, including local community stakeholders and regional / national organisations with whom the Council shared a mutual interest in either supporting or delivering public services for residents.  

The Leader of the Council informed the Executive that Group Leaders’ had been provided with details of the vacancies in June and that nominees for uncontested vacancies had been appointed under delegated authority in July.  It was also noted that some contested vacancies had been resolved in consultation with Group Leaders’ and appointed under delegated authority.

In response to questions, Councillor Brunt explained that the remaining contested vacancies had been set out in Annex 1 to the report presented. It was highlighted that following publication of the agenda, and following further discussion with Group Leaders’, that the following nominations had been withdrawn and as a result these vacancies were no longer contested:

-       Councillor R. Absalom for Reigate and Banstead Women’s Aid (withdrawn)

-       Councillor M. Blacker for the YMCA East Surrey Adult Services Sub-Committee (withdrawn); and

-       Councillor C. Whinney for the Reigate Heath Management Steering Group (withdrawn).

In addition, the Executive was informed that Councillor N. Bramhall had been nominated as the representative for the Reigate Heath Management Steering Group and that Councillor M. Blacker had been nominated as deputy.         

The following matters were highlighted as important in reaching a decision: the need to ensure the most suitable applicant was selected having regard to the requirements of the appointment, applicable local knowledge, and the skills and attributes of the nominee. The Executive reviewed all nominations and;   

RESOLVED that:

(i)            The following Councillors be appointed to serve on outside bodies for 2019/20:

-       Councillor K. Sachdeva for East Surrey Community Mediation;

-       Councillor D. Allcard and Councillor M. Blacker (Deputy) for the Redhill Aerodrome Consultative Committee;

-       Councillor S. Fenton for Reigate and Banstead Women’s Aid;

-       Councillor N. Bramhall and Councillor M. Blacker (Deputy) for the Reigate Heath Management Steering Group;

-       Councillor R. Absalom for the Surrey Hills AONB Board;

-       Councillor J. Philpott for the YMCA East Surrey Adult Services Sub-Committee;

-       Councillor F. Kelly for the YMCA East Surrey Children’s Services Sub-Committee;

-       Councillor F. Kelly for the YMCA East Surrey Housing Services Committee; and

-       Councillor M. Blacker for the YMCA East Surrey Youth Services Sub-Committee.  

(ii)          The vacancies, set out in Annex 1 of the report presented, for Age Concern (Merstham, Redhill and Reigate), the Downland Liaison Group, the South East Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association, and the Surrey Civilian Military Partnership Board be noted.

Reason for decision: To ensure Council representation on a range of organisations/bodies across the Borough.

Alternative options:  To appoint any other combination of nominees listed within the schedule, set out at Annex 1 of the report presented, ask officers to seek new nominations or to not appoint any representatives.