Purpose

Paragraph 1.29 of the Officer Scheme of Delegation within the Constitution states that the Head of Service with responsibility for Democratic Services (the Strategic Head of Legal and Governance) is authorised to:
“Make changes to party representation on committees (including adding/removing substitutes)”
In the absence of the Head of Service with responsibility for Democratic Services
(the Strategic Head of Legal and Governance), the Scheme of Delegation gives the Chief Executive authority to make such changes (Paragraph 4).
Consequent to receiving notification that newly-elected Councillor Abear has joined the “Green and Redhill Independent Group”, the membership size of the political groups and proportionate allocation across the 57 available committee seats were reviewed and approved by 1 October 2026 Full Council.
Additionally, in light of the new Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026 which will limit the maximum size of a planning committee to 13 members, allocations were also approved for when a 13-member Planning Committee is established post-31 October 2026.
Liberal Democrat nominations for their changes to Planning Committee and Overview and Scrutiny Committee membership were outstanding but have now been provided for approval via Officer Delegated Authority:
• Councillor Elbourne as Planning Committee Member until 31 October 2026 and as a Planning Committee Substitute thereafter.
• Councillor Kulka as Overview and Scrutiny Committee Member with immediate effect. -

Consultation: The Scheme requires consultation with Group Leaders; however, this decision only relates to the appointments to committee seats held by the Liberal Democrat Group.
Therefore, it is only necessary to consult with the Liberal Democrat Group Leader on this delegated decision to ensure it reflects their wishes.

Decision

To appoint, in accordance with the wishes of the Liberal Democrat Group,:
1. Councillor Elbourne as Planning Committee Member until 31 October 2026 and as a Planning Committee Substitute thereafter.

2. Councillor Kulka as Overview and Scrutiny Committee Member with immediate effect.

Reasons for decision:

The Council has a duty to give effect to the allocation of committee seats by making appointments thereto in accordance with the wishes of the political groups, as soon as practicable, according to the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, as amended.
Section 13 of the regulations state that “the wishes of a political group are to be taken as those expressed to the proper officer— (a)orally or in writing by the leader or deputy leader of the group”.

Alternative options considered

Not to make the appointments under delegated authority. This is not recommended, as this means the wishes of the political group as to the appointment of Members to fill those seats will not be reflected until the next available Full Council meeting.