Decision details

The Governance Lead Officer introduced a paper setting out arrangements required to enable the appointment of Members to the Cheshire Police Authority, initially with observer status.

An Order was to be laid before Parliament in October to make the transitional arrangements for membership of the Police Authority. Members were asked to identify and appoint the Council's representatives on the Police Authority Joint Appointments Committee in order for the Council's representation on the Cheshire Police Authority to be determined. If donein advance of the Order being made, this would enable the Council’s representatives on the Police Authority to receive induction, development and familiarisation with the work of the Police Authority.

It was noted the Order would require Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East, Halton and Warrington Councils to form a Shadow Joint Committee to appoint the local authority Members to the Police Authority with effect from 1 April 2009. The members appointed to the Authority itself would be entitled to attend meetings of the Authority in an observer capacity prior to 1 April 2009 and the Authority would be required to seek their views on its budget/precept and policing plan for 2009/10.  The Membership and political arrangements for the exisiting and proposed Shadow Joint Committee were noted.

The Joint Committee would subsequently meet to review and take into account the political proportionalities across the four Councils as set out in the report. The Appointments Joint Committee would also need to determine how all of the 9 places are allocated, and to make the necessary appointments.

RESOLVED - To appoint three Members to the Police Authority Shadow Joint Appointments Committee, on a 2 Conservative; 1 Liberal Democrat basis in order that the Council’s representation on the Cheshire Police Authority can be determined; and that Group Leaders notify the Governance Lead Officer of their nominations as soon as possible.