Special Meeting, Licensing and Corporate Business Committee - Wednesday, 18th March, 2026 7.00 pm - Agenda and draft minutes

The Chairman advised the Committee that Cllr P.G. Taylor had been absent from three consecutive meetings of the Committee held on 21st October 2025, 15th January 2026, 5th March 2026 and 18th March 2026.  Under the Council’s Standing Orders, Standing Order 4 (5) stated that ‘if any Member shall be absent from three consecutive meetings of a committee, he or she shall cease to be a Member thereof, unless he or she shall in the opinion of the Committee show reasonable grounds for their absence.’

It was noted that the Chair had been made aware of the reasons for his absence and was happy with the explanation given. The wider Committee were satisfied that Cllr Taylor could continue as a Member of the Committee.

RESOLVED: That Cllr P.G. Taylor continue to serve as a Member of the Committee for the remainder of the 2025/26 Municipal Year.

To consider resolving that, subject to the public interest test, the public be excluded from this meeting during the discussion of the undermentioned item to avoid the disclosure of exempt information within the paragraph Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 indicated against such item:

Item No.       Para. No.      Category

2                       1                     Information relating to an individual 

RESOLVED: That, taking into account the public interest test, the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the under mentioned item to avoid the disclosure of exempt information within the paragraph of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972 indicated against the item:

Item No.        Para. No.       Category

   2                       1                      Information relating to an individual   

To consider the Leader of the Council’s Exempt Report No. DEM2607 (copy attached), setting out an update on the Interim Managing Director role.

The Committee considered the Leader of the Council’s Exempt Report No. DEM2607, which set out an update on the appointment of the Interim Managing Director and Head of Paid Service.

(i)              RESOLVED that the Committee approve an extension to Ian Harrison’s appointment as Interim Managing Director and Head of Paid Service until the 31st August, 2026;

(ii)             RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL that Ian Harrison, Interim Managing Director, continue to be designated as the Council’s Head of Paid Service until the 31st August, 2026. The role to include the statutory responsibilities of Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer; and

(iii)           RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNCIL to confirm the new position of Executive Head of Governance and Law as the Council’s designated Monitoring Officer.

A vote of thanks was recorded for Cllr Jacqui Vosper, the Chair of the Licensing and Corporate Business Committee since October, 2025. As Cllr Vosper would be standing down at the forthcoming Borough elections, it was noted that Members wished her well for the future and stated that she would be missed at the Council.