Agenda item

Resolution of the Policy and Resources Committee.

The Committee considered a resolution of the Policy and Resources Committee concerning the appointment of Chairmen of Sub Committees.

The Town Clerk confirmed that, for the purpose of this Committee, this convention would apply only to the Reference Sub Committee as it was not relevant to the appointment of Hearing Panels and Hearing Panel Chairmen.

The Chairman highlighted that he believed that this was intended to allow the Committee more flexibility in terms of the chairing of its Sub Committees going forward if required.

A Member commented that some Committees had already made it clear that they were strongly opposed to endorsing this convention as it was viewed by some as an unnecessary political move.

Another Member commented that each Committee and Committee Clerk seemed to be interpreting and presenting the resolution differently and suggested that this should therefore be referred back to the Policy and Resources Committee for further context and clarity before this Committee took a firm view either way.  Other Members were supportive of this approach and questioned the origins of this resolution and why those Committees that were now being asked to endorse the convention had not been privy to the original report presented to the Policy and Resources Committee on this matter.

RESOLVED – That, the resolution be referred back to the Policy and Resources Committee and that further clarity on this be sought before the Licensing Committee were asked to take any further decision on the matter.