Agenda

Note in respect of agenda items 1 and 2, in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972, a member of the Executive may not be elected to the position of either Lord Mayor or Deputy Lord Mayor.

After item 2, The Council will then adjourn, re-commencing in the Council Chamber at 12.30pm (or shortly after the conclusion of Mayor Making if later) to deal with the remaining items on the agenda.

Deputations by members of the public may be made on any item where a decision is going to be taken. The request should be made in writing to the contact officer (james.harris@portsmouthcc.gov.uk) by 12 noon of the working day before the meeting (Monday 13 May 2024 for this meeting), and must include the purpose of the deputation (for example, for or against the recommendations). Email requests are accepted.

To note that under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, the current Leader of the City Council will remain in office until May 2026 unless:

a) they resign from the office;

b) they are no longer a Councillor; or

c) they are removed from office by resolution of the Council

Consequently, should any of the above apply, there will be a need to elect a Leader of the City Council until the Leader's current term of office expires.

The Council will also receive details of the appointments from the Leader (as it is within their gift) for the Health and Wellbeing Board, applying the following criteria;

· Leader of the Council (or nominated representative)

· Portfolio Holder responsible for Health & Social Care

· Portfolio Holder responsible for Children’s Services

· Leader of the largest opposition group (or their nominated representative)

A named standing deputy may also be appointed for each position.

Under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the City Council is required at each Annual Meeting to review the representation of different political groups, to determine the allocation of seats to different political groups for the forthcoming municipal year based on the group strengths on the council and to appoint members in accordance with the decisions of the council as to allocation and according to the wishes of the groups as to the identities of the members to be appointed.

The appointment of members is dealt with separately under agenda item 11 below.

The representation of groups must be in accordance with the rules set out in the relevant legislation.

The proposed allocation of seats for 2024/25 and details of the proposed allocation of places on panels and committees will be circulated under separate cover.

Principle 2 within Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 requires the majority of seats on committees and panels to be allocated to the group having the majority of seats on the City Council. A group is defined in the regulations as comprising two or more persons.

The proposed appointments for the 2024/25 municipal year will be presented at the meeting.

RECOMMENDED:

(i)             That the total number of seats on committees and panels be divided amongst the political groups and individual members as applicable in accordance with Table 1; and

(ii)           that any other bodies subject to the political proportionality rules also be appointed in accordance with proportions shown in Table 1.

To appoint representatives, who must be elected members, to the following outside bodies. These appointments are reserved to the City Council in accordance with the Council's Constitution.

(i)       To appoint 1 member to serve on the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority for the 2024/25 municipal year.

(In 2023/24 the appointee was Councillor George Madgwick).

(ii)       To appoint 1 member plus 1 deputy to serve on the Police and Crime Panel (PCP) for the 2024/25 municipal year.

(Councillor Jason Fazackarley was the Council's representative in 2023/24 with Councillor Ian Holder as Deputy).

(iii)      To appoint up to 4 members to serve on the Local Government Association General Assembly for the 2024/25 municipal year, who will be supported by the appropriate officers at the Annual Conference, and to specify which of the elected members will hold the voting rights.

Portsmouth City Council has 5 votes on the LGA, which are usually exercised by the party forming the City Council’s political administration. Those having the right to vote should be identified.

In 2023/24 the representatives were Councillors George Fielding, Lewis Gosling, Steve Pitt and Gerald Vernon-Jackson CBE.

(iv)      To appoint 6 members to serve on the Langstone Harbour Board for the 2024/25 municipal year who must be elected members and in accordance with the political balance regulations.

In 2023/24, the representatives were: Councillors Abdul Kadir, Peter Candlish, Lewis Gosling, Graham Heaney, Darren Sanders and Mary Vallely.

Standing Deputies in 2023/24 were: Councillors Kimberly Barrett, Ryan Brent, Charlotte Gerada and Steve Pitt.

7 members to the Twinning Advisory Group

In 2023/24 the Chair was the Resources Portfolio Holder (Councillor Lee Hunt) with the Lord Mayor (Councillor Tom Coles) performing the Vice Chair role.

The remaining 5 members in 2023/24 were Councillors Jason Fazackarley, George Fielding, Leo Madden and Hugh Mason.

 *This date has been changed from the previously agreed provisional date of 18 February at the request of councillors and in agreement with group leaders.

To provisionally agree the following Council meeting dates for 2025/26