Agenda item

(A) Review of the appointment process for Deputy Chairmen of the Policy and Resources Committee – to consider amendments to Standing Orders governing the appointment of Deputy Chairmen of Policy and Resources Committee.

For Decision

19 January 2017

Review of the appointment process for Deputy Chairmen of the Policy and Resources Committee

In 2012, as part of the post-implementation review of the City Corporation’s governance arrangements, the Court of Common Council agreed to the appointment of three Deputy Chairmen for the Policy and Resources Committee to support and assist the Chairman on matters of policy and strategy.

The arrangements having subsequently been reviewed by the Policy and Resources Committee, it was felt that greater clarity should be provided as to which of the Deputies would undertake the statutory role (e.g. dealing with requests for decisions under the urgency procedures or delegated authority and chairing meetings of the Committee). Consequently it was agreed that, other than in the first or fifth year of a chairmanship, one of the appointments should be designated as the Deputy Chairman and the remaining two as Vice Chairmen. Deciding which of the three appointees would exercise the formal responsibilities of Deputy Chairman for the coming year would be settled by the Chairman, in consultation with the three appointees.

The Court of Common Council was therefore recommended to approve the amendment of  Standing Orders and the Protocol for the election of Deputy Chairmen of the Policy and Resources Committee to reflect these revised arrangements.

Resolved – That:-

i)        with the exception of the first and fifth year of a chairmanship, the Policy and Resources Committee shall elect three Deputies, with one of the appointments being designated as the Deputy Chairman to exercise the formal responsibilities and the remaining two as Vice Chairmen;

ii)       in the fifth year of a chairmanship, all three appointments shall be made at the same meeting, starting with the election of the “Chairman in waiting”; and

iii)      Standing Order No.30 be amended accordingly.