To consider committee seat allocations to political groups in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990 and confirm appointments to committees.

N.B.  Appendices A and B to follow.

A report was presented to review committee seat allocations to political groups in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990 and confirm appointments to committees.

During his introduction of the report, the Chief Executive advised Members that the purpose of the report was to set out a revised allocation of seats and associated appointments for committees following a review undertaken in response to a recent change in political group membership.

This paper reviewed committee seat allocations to political groups in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990.

Members were referred to Appendix A ‘Allocation of Committee seats’ and Appendix B ‘Appointments to Committees, pages 1 to 4 of the Supplementary Agenda refer.

The Chief Executive read out a statement as follows:

‘I received notice on 21 August 2025 that Councillor Carleen Dickinson had joined the Reform UK Group.  Councillor Dickinson had, until that point, been a member of the East Lindsey Independent Group (ELIG).  Further to this, a request for a review of committee seats was received.

I received a further notification on 22 September 2025 that Councillor Stephen Evans (Conservative Group), had resigned as a District Councillor for Chapel St Leonards Ward.

Further to the publication of the report and appendices, notification was received and acknowledged that Councillor Ru Yarsley has joined the Conservative Group from the East Lindsey Independent Group.  Appendices A & B have been updated and are tabled to reflect this.  Please note the following information has been updated:

The East Lindsey Independent Group vacancy on Planning Committee will be filled by Councillor Richard Cunnington.

The Conservative vacancy on Planning Policy Committee will be filled by Councillor Ru Yarsley’.

N.B.  A copy of the updated Appendices A and B are attached to the Minutes.

The Recommendation was duly Proposed and Seconded.

Members were invited to put their comments and questions forward.

The Leader of the East Lindsey Independent Group noted the outcome of the 2024 elections, highlighting that Independent candidates had performed well, which she attributed to the electorate’s confidence in their integrity and commitment.  She expressed concern that some Members had since changed political affiliation without consulting their constituents, potentially resulting in representation that may not reflect the voters’ original intentions.  She questioned how such changes could be considered truly representative.

The Leader of the East Lindsey Progressives Group further queried the status of the two remaining Conservative vacancies.

The Leader of the Council responded that the Conservative vacancies referenced were not related to Members changing political groups.  He confirmed that the matter was an internal issue for him to address in his capacity as Leader.

RESOLVED

That the revised allocation of seats to political groups as detailed in the tabled Appendix A to the report referred and appointments to committees as detailed in the tabled Appendix B to the report referred be approved.

N.B.  Councillor Steve Kirk left the room at 7.48pm and re-joined the Meeting at 7.50pm.