First meeting of West Berkshire Council since the Liberal Democrats seized control in May’s local lections takes place next week

The first meeting of West Berkshire Council since the Liberal Democrats seized control in the early May elections takes place on Thursday (May 25).

It will see Lee Dillon (Lib Dem, Thatcham North East) sworn in as leader, marking the first time in 18 years that his party has been in charge in the district.

The council will also be set for the coming four years in terms of who sits on which of its nine committees, which are not part of the executive.

Appointments to the executive committee rest with the council leader Lee Dillon, who has already allocated his top team. The Conservative opposition lead, Ross Mackinnon (Con, Bradfield) has yet to announce his.

The committees must be made up to reflect the political balance of the district.

There are 29 Lib Dems, with 67 per cent of the political composition, the Conservative group has 11 members or 26 per cent, with the Greens and their two members representing five per cent. Labour has one candidate.

In allocating the seats, the council must give effect to the requirements for political balance on committees as prescribed by section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. These requirements apply only to voting members of the committee.

There will also be appointments to three outside bodies – the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel and the Local Government Association General Assembly.

The health and wellbeing board is subject to its own membership requirements.

In addition to the committees, the council has appointed a joint public protection committee and a joint health overview and scrutiny committee.

West Berkshire Council has two seats on each of these committees, although one of the seats on the joint public protection committee is made by way of an executive appointment.

As there are only two seats on these joint committees, the provisions regarding political balance do not apply.

The election of councillors to West Berkshire Council usually takes place every four years but the political representation of members on committees needs to be considered on an annual basis.