Agenda and minutes

To receive Notification of Substitutes in accordance with Procedure Rule 1.2(c).

To declare any interests which fall under the following categories, as explained on the attached document:

a) Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI)

b) Other Significant Interests (OSI)

c) Voluntary Announcements of Other Interests

See Agenda Item 2 for further details.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting of this Committee held on the 13^th July 2023.

Resolved:

That the Minutes of the Meeting of this Committee held on the 13^th July 2023 be approved and confirmed as a correct record.

Recommended:

That    (i)       the proposed Polling Districts scheme as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved and each Ward be designated as the Polling Place.

(ii)       the Returning Officer/Acting Returning Officer be delegated authority to make changes to Polling Places for each election held in Ashford.

Recommended:

That    (i)         the Constitution be amended with effect from the commencement of the Annual Meeting in May 2024 to provide that the term of office of           the Leader is until the next Annual Meeting of the Council (although a Councillor may be re-elected as Leader).

(ii)        the other existing provisions in the Constitution in respect of resignation of the Leader and the removal and replacement of the Leader and the term of office in an election year remain in place.

(iii)       the Monitoring Officer be authorised to amend any other relevant references in the Constitution to reflect the change in term of office.

Recommended:

That    (i)        the legal and constitutional position regarding the possible election of the Mayor for a two year term be noted.

(ii)       the provision for “a presumption against Members serving a second term as Mayor and Deputy Mayor if other willing candidates exist”, be removed from the Council’s Constitution (Part 5 Codes and Protocols refers).

The Committee is note and approve the following appointments:

·         Audit Committee – Cllr. Shilton (replacing Cllr. Feacey)

Resolved:

That the following appointments be noted and approved: -

Appeals Committee – Cllr Spain to replace Councillor Leavey.

Audit Committee – Cllr Shilton to replace Councillor Feacey.

Licensing and Regulatory Committees – Cllr C Suddards to replace Cllr Leavey.