The Council considered reports on the appointment of statutory officers and agreed to changes in committee sizes and proportionality.

Appointment of Statutory Officers

The Council considered reports on the appointment of the Chief Finance Officer (s151 Officer) and the Monitoring Officer. The reports were moved by Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury and seconded by Councillor Maium Talukdar. Councillor Chowdhury highlighted the importance of the Section 151 Officer role for the proper administration of the Council's financial affairs. Councillor Talukdar seconded the recommendations and thanked the outgoing Section 151 Officer, Richard Ennis, for his service.

Councillor David Edgar raised questions regarding the duration of interim appointments, particularly the 12-month period for the Monitoring Officer role. Stephen Halsey, the Chief Executive Officer, explained that the 12-month period for the Monitoring Officer was a precautionary measure and that recruitment for the Chief Compliance Officer post would commence shortly. He also assured members that the council's structure would be published to provide further detail on senior roles.

The Council resolved to confirm the appointment of Tina Stankley as the interim Chief Financial Officer (s151 Officer) for a period of up to six months, commencing on 4 September 2026. This appointment is to ensure continuity of financial leadership while a permanent appointment is made. The Council also resolved to confirm the permanent appointment of Ian Williams as the Chief Financial Officer (s151 Officer), with his start date to be confirmed upon his commencement at the authority.

Additionally, the Council resolved to confirm the proposal to designate the new role of Chief Compliance Officer as the statutory Monitoring Officer. In the interim, the Council resolved to agree that Mark Norman, the current Interim Director of Governance, should be appointed as the statutory Monitoring Officer for a period of up to 12 months, commencing 4 September 2026. This interim appointment is to allow for a full recruitment process for the Chief Compliance Officer role.

Committee Sizes and Proportionality

The Council considered a report on committee sizes and proportionality. Councillor Maium Talukdar moved the report, stating the aim was to ensure committee arrangements remained effective and fit for purpose. Councillor Kabir Ahmed seconded the motion.

Councillor Rupert George raised a concern about the committee calculations still including a member who is not part of any political group. Councillor Syed Tareq Abdullah also spoke, questioning the consultation process and suggesting that the changes might be designed to exclude ungrouped councillors. Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury responded that discussions had taken place at full council and within the constitution working group, and that all members had been invited to attend.

The Council resolved to agree to the changes in committee sizes proposed in the report and the consequent review of proportionality for the remainder of the 2026/27 municipal year. It was also agreed that where these changes resulted in a reduction of membership for a political group, the relevant groups would be contacted to confirm which member should be removed.

The meeting concluded with procedural discussions regarding voting and the opportunity for further comments before the final vote on the committee sizes and proportionality.