Council

RESOLVED – That Councillor David A Bithell be appointed Deputy Leader of the Council/Vice-Chair of the Executive Board for the ensuing year. Reason for decision To appoint the Deputy Leader of the Council/Vice-Chair of the Executive Board for the ensuing year.

The Chief Officer Governance and Customer submitted a report COGC/41/24 which allowed Council to consider appointments to the Executive Board, Committees, Scrutiny Committees and various Panels set up by the Council as part of its Constitution. RESOLVED – (i) That the following Members be appointed to the Executive Board: Councillor David A Bithell (Vice Chair) Councillor Mark Pritchard (Chair) Councillor Terry Evans Councillor Paul Roberts Councillor Hugh Jones Councillor Robert Walsh Councillor Beverley Parry-Jones Councillor Nigel Williams Councillor John Pritchard Councillor Phil Wynn (ii) That the sizes and political balance of the Standing Committees and Scrutiny Committees be agreed and the following Members appointed to give effect to the wishes of the relevant Political Groups to which seats are allocated and to those seats allocated to the Non-aligned Member: STANDARDS COMMITTEE (3 MEMBERS) Councillor I David Bithell, MBE Councillor Bryan Apsley Councillor Hugh Jones GOVERNANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE (8 MEMBERS) Councillor William Baldwin Councillor Trevor Bates Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Jon Jolley Councillor Becca Martin Councillor Paul Roberts Councillor Paul Rogers Councillor Jerry Wellens PLANNING COMMITTEE (16 MEMBERS) Councillor Bryan Apsley Councillor Trevor Bates Councillor I David Bithell, MBE Councillor Annette Davies Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Frank Hemmings Councillor Jon Jolley Councillor Marc Jones Councillor Steve Joe Jones Councillor Jeremy Kent Councillor John McCusker Councillor Michael Morris (Chair) Councillor Jeremy Newton Councillor Fred Roberts Councillor Graham Rogers Councillor Andy Williams ENVIRONMENTAL LICENSING COMMITTEE (14 MEMBERS) Members of the Environmental Licensing Committee will also sit as the Licensing Committee Councillor David A Bithell Councillor I David Bithell, MBE (Chair) Councillor Brian Cameron Councillor Krista Childs Councillor Andy Gallanders Councillor Corin Jarvis Councillor Steve Joe Jones Councillor Tina Mannering Councillor Becca Martin (Vice Chair) Councillor Michael Morris Councillor Beverley Parry-Jones Councillor Paul Pemberton Councillor John Phillips Councillor Derek Wright Plus two additional Members from an opposition group who could be called upon if a Meeting of the Environmental Licensing Committee is not quorate Councillor Pete Howell Councillor Anthony Wedlake DEMOCRATIC SERVICES COMMITTEE (13 MEMBERS) Councillor William Baldwin Councillor Trevor Bates Councillor Mike Davies Councillor Carrie Harper Councillor Pete Howell Councillor Malcolm King, OBE (Chair) Councillor Claire Lovett Councillor Jeremy Newton Councillor Rondo Roberts (Vice Chair) Councillor Debbie Wallice Councillor Anthony Wedlake Councillor Derek Wright APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE (10 MEMBERS) Councillor Bryan Apsley Councillor David A Bithell Councillor Annette Davies Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Emma Holland Councillor Michael Morris Councillor Beverley Parry-Jones Councillor John Pritchard Councillor Mark Pritchard Councillor Phil Wynn GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE (10 MEMBERS) Councillor Beryl Blackmore Councillor Mike Davies Councillor Pete Howell Councillor Jeremy Newton Councillor Paul Pemberton Councillor Fred Roberts Councillor Ross Shepherd Councillor Anthony Wedlake Councillor Nigel Williams Councillor Derek Wright INVESTIGATION AND DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE (10 MEMBERS) Councillor Bryan Apsley Councillor I David Bithell, MBE Councillor Gary Brown Councillor Carrie Harper Councillor Emma Holland Councillor Fred Roberts Councillor Graham Rogers Councillor Robert Walsh Councillor Nigel Williams Councillor Robert Ian Williams CUSTOMERS, PERFORMANCE, RESOURCES & GOVERNANCE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (13 MEMBERS) Councillor William Baldwin Councillor Mike Davies Councillor Pete Howell Councillor Marc Jones Councillor Claire Lovett Councillor Stella Matthews (Chair) Councillor Michael Morris Councillor Jeremy Newton Councillor Alison Tynan Councillor Anthony Wedlake Councillor Jerry Wellens (Vice Chair EMPLOYMENT, BUSINESS & INVESTMENT SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (13 MEMBERS) Councillor William Baldwin (Chair) Councillor Beryl Blackmore Councillor Gary Brown Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Mike Davies Councillor Andy Gallanders Councillor Corin Jarvis Councillor Marc Jones Councillor Jeremy Kent Councillor John McCusker Councillor Paul Rogers Councillor Ross Shepherd Councillor Andy Williams HOMES AND ENVIRONMENT SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (13 MEMBERS) Councillor Bryan Apsley Councillor Paul Blackwell Councillor Carrie Harper Councillor Emma Holland Councillor Steve Joe Jones Councillor Claire Lovett Councillor Jeremy Newton Councillor Paul Pemberton (Chair) Councillor John Phillips Councillor Graham Rogers Councillor Paul Rogers (Vice Chair) Councillor Robert Ian Williams LIFELONG LEARNING SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (13 MEMBERS) Councillor Beryl Blackmore Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Carrie Harper (Chair) Councillor Frank Hemmings (Vice Chair) Councillor Becca Martin Councillor Stella Matthews Councillor Ross Shepherd Councillor Alison Tynan Councillor Debbie Wallice Councillor Robert Ian Williams SAFEGUARDING, COMMUNITIES AND WELL-BEING SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (13 MEMBERS) Members of the Safeguarding, Communities and Well-being Scrutiny Committee will also sit as the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee Councillor Trevor Bates Councillor Beryl Blackmore Councillor Brian Cameron Councillor Krista Childs Councillor Annette Davies Councillor Jeremy Kent (Vice Chair) Councillor Malcolm King, OBE Councillor Claire Lovett Councillor Rondo Roberts Councillor Alison Tynan Councillor Debbie Wallice Councillor Kate Wilkinson Councillor Derek Wright (iii) That, in accordance with the provisions of the relevant sections of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011, the positions of Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees and the Democratic Services Committee for the ensuing year be agreed as follows: Customers, Performance, Resources & Governance Scrutiny Committee Chair: Councillor Stella Matthews Employment, Business & Investment Scrutiny Committee Chair: Councillor William Baldwin Homes and Environment Scrutiny Committee Chair: Councillor Paul Pemberton Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee Chair: Councillor Carrie Harper Safeguarding, Communities and Well-being Scrutiny Committee Chair: To be appointed by the Committee Democratic Services Committee Chair: Councillor Malcolm King, OBE (iv) That, in accordance with political balance, the positions of the Chairs and Vice- Chairs of the Planning Committee and Environmental Licensing Committee, together with Vice-Chairs of the Democratic Services Committee and Scrutiny Committees be agreed as follows for the ensuing year: Planning Committee Chair: Councillor Michael Morris Vice-Chair: Councillor Marc Jones Environmental Licensing Committee Chair: Councillor I David Bithell, MBE Vice-Chair: Councillor Becca Martin Democratic Services Committee Vice-Chair: Councillor Rondo Roberts Customers, Performance, Resources & Governance Scrutiny Committee Vice-Chair: Councillor Jerry Wellens Employment, Business & Investment Scrutiny Committee Vice-Chair: Councillor Homes and Environment Scrutiny Committee Vice-Chair: Councillor Paul Rogers Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee Vice-Chair: Councillor Frank Hemmings Safeguarding, Communities and Well-being Scrutiny Committee Vice-Chair: Councillor Jeremy Kent (v) That the sizes and political balance of the under mentioned Panels/Groups be agreed and the following Members appointed to give effect to the wishes of the relevant Political Groups to which seats are allocated and to those seats allocated to the Non-aligned Members. CONSTITUTION WORKING GROUP (10 MEMBERS) Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Carrie Harper Councillor Frank Hemmings Councillor Pete Howell Councillor Hugh Jones Councillor Steve Joe Jones Councillor Michael Morris Councillor Paul Pemberton Councillor Mark Pritchard Councillor Fred Roberts PAY AND REWARD PANEL (10 MEMBERS) Councillor Bryan Apsley Councillor David A Bithell Councillor Gary Brown Councillor Dana Davies Councillor Andy Gallanders Councillor Beverley Parry-Jones Councillor John Pritchard Councillor Mark Pritchard Councillor Phil Wynn (vi) That the School Transport (Hazardous Routes Appeals) Panel be disbanded. (vii) That the terms of reference of the Panels/Groups, as set out in Appendix 4 of report COGC/41/24, be approved (viii) That Group Leaders and Non-aligned Members notify the Chief Officer Governance & Customer of nominations to any outstanding vacant seats within 7 days of the date of this meeting. Reason for Decisions To appoint Members to the Executive Board, Standing Committees, Scrutiny Committees and various Panels set up by the Council as part of its Constitution and to appoint relevant Chairs and Vice-Chairs.

The Mayor advised that it was her pleasure to be chairing her first Council meeting and that she was looking forward to the next twelve months. The Mayor advised that Thursday 6 June, would commemorate 80 years since D-Day with a church service, parade and wreath-laying. The following day, Tour of Britain Women would be starting and finishing in the city centre. The Mayor stated that her civic visit to church would be taking place on Sunday, 23 June at St Giles Parish Church. The formal invitations would follow. Finally, the Mayor took the opportunity to thank Councillor Andy Williams and his son Luke, for their time as Mayor and consort of Wrexham County Borough.

The Chief Officer Governance and Customer submitted a report COGC/39/24 which allowed Council to consider the reappointment of two of the independent members on the Standards Committee. RESOLVED - That Mrs Elizabeth Granger and Mr Stephen Tilston be reappointed to serve as an independent member on the Standards Committee for a second consecutive term of 4 years until 25 September 2028. Reason for decision To ensure the Standards Committee is constituted in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

The Chief Officer Governance and Customer submitted a report COGC/35/24 which allowed Council to consider approving a calendar of meetings for the Council, the Executive Board, Scrutiny and Standing Committees in 2024/25. RESOLVED - That the proposed draft annual calendar of meetings for the Council, the Executive Board, Scrutiny and Standing Committees in 2024/25 including provision for All Member Workshops and Member Development, be agreed. Reason for decision To approve the annual calendar of meetings for 2024/25.

The Chief Officer Finance and ICT submitted a report COFI/19/24 which asked Council to agree the recommendation from the Members Appointment Panel for the appointment of one independent lay member, subject to references, to the Governance and Audit Committee for the period up to and including 24th May 2028 and agree to the extension of the three current Independent Lay Members to the Governance and Audit Committee for the period up to and including 24th May 2028. An amendment was proposed and seconded in the following terms: Recommendation 3.2 as worded in the report be replaced with the following wording: That Council supports that an advert goes out for the recruitment of three independent lay members of Governance and Audit Committee for the period up to 24 May 2028. During the debate a number of Members raised concerns regarding the amendment. A Member referred to the constitution and stated that the Governance and Audit Committee was a regulatory Committee independent of Council and Executive Board. It was suggested that the Committee would, by default, become a non-functioning Committee should the amendment be approved. The Chief Officer Governance and Customer confirmed that the Governance and Audit Committee would remain a functioning Committee should the amendment be approved. She further advised that the quorum of the Committee was 3 members and that the legislation did not specify if those members should be lay or committee members. The Committee could still function whilst a recruitment process was being undertaken. A second amendment was proposed and seconded in the following terms: Recommendation 3.2 as worded in the report be reinstated as follows: That Council approves the extension of the three current independent lay members to the Governance and Audit Committee for a further period up to and including 24 May 2028. In accordance with Standing Order 18(2), a recorded vote was then taken on the original recommendation 3.2 as noted in the report (the second amendment as noted above), the voting being as follows: For – Councillors Bryan Apsley, Paul Blackwell, Gary Brown, Brian Cameron, Krista Childs, Dana Davies, Mike Davies, Frank Hemmings, Corin Jarvis, Malcolm King OBE, Stella Matthews, Anthony Wedlake, Jerry Wellens, Robert Ian Williams and Derek Wright. (15) Against – Councillors William Baldwin, David A Bithell, I David Bithell MBE, Beryl Blackmore, Annette Davies, Terry Evans, Andy Gallanders, Carrie Harper, Emma Holland, Peter Howell, Jon Jolley, Hugh Jones, Marc Jones, Steve Joe Jones, Jeremy Kent, Claire Lovett, Tina Mannering, Becca Martin, John McCusker, Jeremy Newton, Beverley Parry-Jones, Paul Pemberton, John C Phillips, John Pritchard, Mark Pritchard, Fred Roberts, Paul Roberts, Rondo Roberts, Paul Rogers, Alison Tynan, Debbie Wallice, Rob Walsh, Kate Wilkinson, Andy Williams, Nigel Williams and Phil Wynn. (36) Abstain – Councillors Michael Morris, Ronnie Prince and Ross Shepherd. (3) RESOLVED – (i) That the recommendation of the Appointments Panel that the successful applicant be appointed as an independent lay member to the Governance and Audit Committee for a period up to and including 24 May 2028 be approved. (ii) That Council supports that an advert goes out for the recruitment of three independent lay members of Governance and Audit Committee for the period up to 24 May 2028. Reason for decisions To comply with the statutory requirements of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011. The majority of members did not support the officer’s recommendation to re-appoint the lay members.