Issue - meetings

The Executive Councillor for Communities is required to appoint two councillors to the Clay Farm Management Committee (as Directors). Last year the Directors were Cllrs Johnson (relevant Executive Councillor portfolio), and former Councillor Blackhurst.

 

For 2015/16, the Executive Councillor for Communities intends to continue in the role with the second seat filled by Councillor Richard Robertson (with Councillors Bird and Herbert as the respective alternates).  The Executive Councillor will confirm the appointments at the scrutiny committee.

Matter for Decision

The City Council appointed two Councillors to the Clay Farm (Joint Venture Company) as directors of the company. The third director is a County Councillor.

 

The decision to appoint Directors was deferred from 28 May 2015 so that officers could take advice on how to address the change in circumstances now that Andy Blackhurst was no longer a city councillor. Advice had now been received and the Executive Councillor decided to replace him as a director with another appointee. Former Councillor Blackhurst had been informed of this intention. The ruling group wished to have two Labour City Councillors as directors.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Communities

Approved that Councillor Johnson be the City Council representative on the Clay Farm Management Committee, together with Councillor Robertson in place of former Councillor Blackhurst.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received an oral report from the Executive Councillor for Communities.

 

In response to Members’ questions the Executive Councillor for Communities said the following:

       i.          Undertook to provide a copy of his introductory statement to committee members.

     ii.          Councillor Johnson (as Executive Councillor with the relevant portfolio) and Councillor Robertson were proposed as City Council appointments to the Clay Farm Management Committee.

   iii.          Councillor Robertson was proposed due to his project management and scrutiny committee experience.

   iv.          The Clay Farm management structure would be decided in August 2015. It was important to choose the correct option to ensure the sustainability of the Centre and protect the interests of Trumpington residents. The Executive Councillor re-iterated the City Council was a significant budgetary contributor, therefore the ruling group wished to have two Labour City Councillors as directors to retain financial control.

 

The Director of Customer and Community Services added that it was a Council decision as to how funding was spent. Directors managed how the Clay Farm Centre operated.

 

Liberal Democrat Councillors made the following comments in response to the oral report from the Executive Councillor for Communities:

       i.          The political affiliation of the County Council appointed director should not influence the City Council’s appointees.

     ii.          Appointees to the Clay Farm Management Committee should be multi-party representatives, preferably including a local Ward Councillor.

 

Councillors requested a change to the recommendations. Councillor Reid (seconded by Councillor Austin) formally proposed that Councillor O’Connell be the City Council representative on the Clay Farm Management Committee in place of former Councillor Blackhurst, together with Councillor Johnson.

 

This amendment was lost by 5 votes to 3.

 

The Committee resolved by 5 votes to 3 to endorse the recommendation that Councillor Robertson be the City Council representative on the Clay Farm Management Committee in place of former Councillor Blackhurst, together with Councillor Johnson.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.