Agenda and minutes

David Elkin (Chairman of the County Council) in the Chair

1.1          The following motion was moved by Councillor Glazier and seconded –

      ‘To elect Councillor Pragnell to serve as Chairman of the County Council for the ensuing year’.

1.2          There being no other nominations, the Chairman put the motion to the vote and declared Councillor Pragnell elected as Chairman of the County Council for the ensuing year. Councillor Pragnell made a declaration of acceptance of office and took the Chair.

Councillor Pragnell in the Chair

1.3          The Chairman thanked the Council for electing him as Chairman. Given the unusual nature of the meeting, the Chairman informed the Council that David and Sandra Elkin would be invited to attend the July meeting of the Council in order that councillors could pay tribute to David Elkin for his time on the Council, for serving as Chairman and in order that he can be presented with the past Chairman’s badge.  

2.1       The following motion was moved by Councillor Glazier and seconded –

            ‘to appoint Councillor Galley to serve as Vice Chairman of the County Council for the ensuing year’.

2.2       There being no other nominations, the Chairman put the motion to the vote and declared Councillor Galley appointed as Vice Chairman of the County Council for the ensuing year. . Councillor Galley made a declaration of acceptance of office and took his seat as Vice-Chairman.

3.1       RESOLVED – to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 23 March 2021 as a correct record.

4.1       Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Charles Clark and Alan Hay.

5.1       The County Council agreed to receive the Notice of the Returning Officer certifying the election, on 6 May 2021, of County Councillors for the various electoral divisions in East Sussex.

WELCOME

6.1       The Chairman welcomed all members to the first meeting of the County Council following the elections.

PETITIONS

6.2       The following petitions were presented before the meeting by members::

7.1       The following motion was moved by Councillor Bennett and SECONDED –

            ‘to nominate Councillor Glazier as Leader of the Council (and Chair of the Cabinet) for the term of office as set out in the Constitution’.

7.2       There being no other nominations, the Chairman put the motion to the vote and declared Councillor Glazier elected as Leader of the Council (and Chair of the Cabinet) for the term of office as set out in the Constitution.

The Leader to present to the County Council their written record of delegations of executive functions to Cabinet members including:

(a)       names of the County Councillors appointed to the Cabinet;

(b)       the extent of any authority delegated to cabinet members individually as portfolio holders;

(c)        appointment to the position of Deputy Leader

(d)       the terms of reference and constitution of the Cabinet and any executive committees together with the names of cabinet members appointed to them

            (e)       the nature and extent of any delegation of executive functions to local committees

            (f)        the nature and extent of any delegation to officers

8.1       In accordance with the Constitution, Councillor Glazier presented a written record to the Council of his appointments to the Cabinet, their portfolios and his delegation of executive functions. A copy of the Leaders report is attached to these minutes.

9.1       The Chairman of the County Council having called over the reports set out on the agenda reserved no paragraphs for discussion.

NON RESERVED PARAGRAPHS

9.2       On the Motion of the Chairman of the County Council, the Council, ADOPTED those paragraphs in the reports that had not been reserved for discussion as follows:

Governance Committee report – paragraph 1 (updated report on the allocation to Groups of places on committees), paragraph 2 (appointments to outside bodies) and paragraph 3 (arrangements for the annual meeting)

Cabinet report – paragraph 1 (coronavirus update)

Standards Committee report – paragraph 1 (annual report)

9.3       The Chairman announced that in light of the Council’s decision regarding the arrangements for the meeting, the meeting would be adjourned after agenda item 14 and that any items not considered today would be considered at the next meeting of the Council.

(a)      Scrutiny Committees

Health Overview and Scrutiny

            People

Place

(b)      Audit Committee               

(c)      Governance Committee

(d)      Regulatory Committee

(e)      Planning Committee

(f)       Standards Committee

(g)      Pension Committee

(Note 1: The proposed nominations from political and independent groups  will be tabled at the meeting)

(Note 2: In accordance with the statutory provisions, the proposed allocation of places to political and independent groups is set out in the report of the Governance Committee)

10.1     Councillor Bennett moved, and it was seconded, that the appointments be made to the Committees and Sub-Committees listed in item 10 of the agenda, in accordance with the list of nominations from the political and independent groups, which had been circulated.

10.2     The motion was CARRIED.

(a)   County Joint Consultative Committee (5 members of the County Council)

(b)  County Consultative Committee (Governors) (5 members of the County

 Council)

(c)  Joint Advisory Committee (Schools) (5 members of the County Council)

(d)  Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (5 members of the County)

(e)   Corporate Parenting Panel (7 members of the County Council)

[The memberships proposed by the political and independent groups will be circulated to members in advance of the meeting]

11.1     Councillor Bennett moved, and it was seconded, that the appointments be made to the Committees and Panels listed in item 11 of the agenda, in accordance with the list of nominations from the political and independent groups, which had been circulated.

11.1     The motion was CARRIED.

Approved Marriage Premises Review Panel

Recruitment Panel (Chief Executive, Directors and Deputies)

Commons and Village Green Registration Panel

[The composition of these bodies is set out in the Constitution]

12.1     Councillor Bennett moved, and it was seconded, that the bodies listed in agenda item 12 be continued, that the political balance provisions shall not apply to these Panels and that members be appointed by the Chief Executive as the need arises.

12.2     The motion was CARRIED (with no member voting against).

[The membership of the Panel, proposed by the political  and independent groups will be tabled at the meeting]

13.1     Councillor Bennett moved, and it was seconded, that the political balance provisions would not apply nto the membership of the Discretionary Transport Appeal Panel and that members be appointed in accordance with the list of nominations from political groups that had been circulated.

13.2     The motion was CARRIED (with no member voting against).

(a)       Chair of the Regulatory Committee

(b)       Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees

(c)       Chair and Vice Chair of the Audit Committee

(d)       Chair of the Governance Committee

(e)       Chair and Vice-Chair of the Planning Committee

(f)        Chair of the Pension Committee

(g)       Chair of the Standards Committee

14.1     The following motion, moved by Councillor Bennett and seconded, was CARRIED:

To appoint the following members to positions listed below’:

15.1     In view of the Council’s earlier decision to defer consideration of item not already dealt with the Chairman adjourned the meeting. Items 15 (questions from members of the public), 16 (the Cabinet’s priorities for the year)  and 19 (questions from County Councillors) will be considered at the next meeting of the Council. .

(a)  Oral questions to Cabinet Members

(b)  Written Questions of which notice has been given pursuant to Standing Order 44