Article 10
Council Constitution
Part 2 - Articles of the Constitution
Article 10 - Speakers Panel (Licensing)
10.1 Regulatory and Non Executive Functions
The Council will appoint a Speakers Panel (Licensing) to discharge its quasi-judicial and regulatory functions of Licensing pursuant to Schedule 1 of the Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000.
10.2 Forms, Composition and Function
- The Council will appoint the Membership of the Panel, based on the rules of political balance and there will be a maximum of 9 Members.
- No Executive Members may be a Member of the Speakers Panel.
- The Speakers Panel will have one Chair and one Deputy, who shall be from the Controlling Group subject to the rules of political balance.
- Members on the Speakers Panel (Planning) made under Article 9 and 11 shall not serve on the Speakers Panel (Licensing) in the same Municipal Year.
10.3 Information
The Speakers Panel (Licensing) shall have access to all Executive agendas and supporting documents and shall have the opportunity to intervene on procedural issues. Such intervention may include general advice, interpretation of the Council’s Standing Orders and Regulation or, subject to discussion with the Monitoring Officer and the Chair of Council Business, referral to the appropriate Scrutiny Panel.
10.4 Whipping
The Whip will not apply to any of the political groups or their respective Members on the Panel while they are taking part in Panel business.
Each political group shall present to the Chief Executive, each Municipal Year, a statement that demonstrates the necessary freedom of its Members from the whipping process on the Speakers Panel (Licensing).
10.5 Basis of Decision Making
- Decisions by the Panel will be taken, and seen to be taken, in a non party political manner within the framework of the law, Council policy and the Constitution.
- No political meetings shall take place.
- Each Member of the Panel will act in accord with protocols and guidance that the Council may determine.