Protocol for the Annual Appointment of the Cabinet, Leader, Deputy Leader, Committees and Representatives on Outside Bodies

1. As soon as possible after the ordinary elections of borough councillors in May, or in the years of no such elections, as soon as possible at the beginning of May, or at such other times when the political balance has been reviewed, the Council Manager will advise the Group Leaders of the political composition of the Council; the number of seats on the Cabinet and committees, and each Group’s entitlement of the total number of seats available together with a list of vacancies on outside bodies having regard to the provisions of the Constitution.
2. Within one week of being notified by the Council Manager of the above, the Group Leaders will meet with the Council Manager to agree the distribution of the seats available according to the allocations determined, and after consultation with their respective groups, will submit the names of their members nominated to serve on the Cabinet, committees and outside bodies.
3. The appointment of members to serve on the Cabinet, Overview and Scrutiny Committees and the Regulatory Committees shall be made in accordance with the wishes expressed by the respective political groups. These wishes may be expressed orally or in writing by the Leader or Deputy Leader (in the Leader’s absence) of the respective political groups or by the submission of a written statement signed by a majority of members of the respective groups.
4. Where a disparity exists between the notice given by the Leader (or Deputy Leader in his/her absence) and the notice signed by the majority of members of the group, the latter will prevail.
5. Subject to the Council having reviewed the political balance and correctly allocated seats on the Cabinet and Committees to the political groups, any one political group may, if it so desires, and provided it has the support of the member named, express the wish for a member of another political group or a non-grouped member to be allocated one of its seats on the relevant Committee.
6. Following the above, the Council Manager will submit a report to the annual meeting of the Council, or to an ordinary meeting of the Council if a review of the political balance has been carried out during another part of the Municipal Years, setting out the proposals for the filling of seats on the Cabinet; Overview and Scrutiny Committees; Regulatory Committees and representatives on outside bodies.
7. The Council will at the annual meeting, or at another meeting when necessary, appoint the Cabinet, and will appoint the Leader and Deputy Leader from the members of the Cabinet.
8. The Council will also at the annual meeting or at another meeting when necessary, appoint the Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Regulatory Committees and representatives on outside bodies.