Further to minute 17 (19/2/14), the Constituency Manager introduced a report on the co-option of Community Representatives.

On 19 February, 2014 Wallasey Constituency Committee requested that the ‘Committee Handbook’ Task and Finish Group consider further the length of the Community Representatives’ term of office and the recruitment process for the young person’s representative. These matters were now being brought back before the Constituency Committee for discussion and decision.

A Member suggested that a two year term for a young person could feel like a lifetime and a yearly term was sufficient, however, if they enjoyed their one year term they could re-apply for a further term. She suggested that all Community Representatives should just serve a year. She queried why the original procedure for the recruitment of the Young Person’s Community Representative had not been followed. 

The Constituency Manager stated that she had responded to this at a previous meeting and that the method of recruitment had been approved by Elected Members.

Other Members suggested that there was a need for consistency and stability and that a two year term would offer this. If a community representative found the term to be too onerous they could always stand down and a recruitment process could take place again.

On a motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Hackett, it was –

Resolved (10:2) (Two abstentions) – That the term of office of the Community Representatives, including the young person’s representative, be two years.

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At this point in the meeting the Chair then moved to the next item of business.

There were, however two recommendations remaining which required decisions.

Councillor Blakeley then stated that he was not aware during the previous vote that the Committee were voting to continue the current Community Representatives’ terms of office. He stated that he felt he had been misled having cast his vote in the belief that this was for a new recruitment process to begin and he would have voted against had he known that this was not the case.

It was then moved by Councillor Blakeley and seconded by Councillor Williams, that –

“The Committee having now moved on to the next item of business the Committee does not return to any unresolved recommendations on Community Representatives.”

The motion was put and lost (5:9).

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The Constituency Manager informed the Committee that one Community Representative would not be continuing in their role and a recruitment process would need to commence for this position.

It was then moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Mooney, that –

“The Committee instructs the Constituency Manager to commence the recruitment process for the vacant Community Representative position with a view to them being in place for the Constituency Committee on 23 October, 2014. This will include the convening of a Constituency Committee Working Group to select and recommend appointment of the Community Representative to the Wallasey Constituency Committee.”

It was moved as an amendment by Councillor Blakeley, seconded by Councillor Paul Hayes, that –

“The Committee instructs the Constituency Manager to commence the recruitment process for all Community Representatives.”

The amendment was put and lost (5:9).

The motion was put and carried (9:5).

Resolved (9:5) - The Committee instructs the Constituency Manager to commence the recruitment process for the vacant Community Representative position with a view to them being in place for the Constituency Committee on 23 October, 2014. This will include the convening of a Constituency Committee Working Group to select and recommend appointment of the Community Representative to the Wallasey Constituency Committee.