Here's a summary of the items scheduled for discussion at the Runnymede Council Full Council meeting on 23 September 2025. The main item for discussion was the allocation of seats on committees, member working parties and advisory groups. This was required due to the creation of a new political group on the council.

Seat Allocations

Following by-elections held on 21 August 2025, Councillors Scott Kelly and Sam Newman formed a new political group called the 'Reform UK Group'. According to the agenda, this triggered a review of seat allocations on committees and working parties to comply with Section 16 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989¹.

The report pack included a recommendation that the council should agree to the allocation of seats to political groups on committees and member working parties, as detailed in the appendices. The appendices included:

• Calculation of allocation of seats on committees
• Allocations of seats on committees
• Allocations of seats on working parties

The report noted that while independent councillors do not have an automatic entitlement to a seat on a committee, the council could choose to allocate seats to them. It also clarified that the Licensing Committee, while constituted separately under the Licensing Act 2003², was included in the calculations for proportionality.

The Corporate Head of Law and Governance, Mario Leo, noted that group leaders can make in-year appointments and changes to committee memberships in accordance with Standing Order 22.8.

The report stated that failure to review seat allocations following the creation of a new political group would breach the council's statutory duty and could lead to legal proceedings.

The allocation of seats based on the existence of political groups supports the democratic process by acknowledging the fact that individuals who have formed a political group should be represented on bodies which make decisions.

Other items

The agenda also included:

• Mayor's Announcements from Councillor Margaret Harnden, Mayor of Runnymede.
• Apologies for Absence
• Declarations of Interest
• A resolution to exclude the press and public from the meeting for any items deemed confidential.