Council considered a report by the Solicitor to the Council concerning: a calculation of proportionality following recent by elections; the appointment of the Vice Chairman of the Employment Panel; and a confirmation of the functions of the committees at the Council to enable the Audit and Governance Committee to undertake the role of the accountable body in respect of the new university in Hereford.

The Solicitor to the Council introduced the report and explained that the Council had agreed to act as the accountable body for the new university. Following a review by the General Scrutiny Committee it had been recommended that the governance and risk management functions of the Audit and Governance Committee fulfilled the role of an accountable body. As the functions already fell within the remit of the committee it was recommended that the item would be added to its work programme.

Confirmation was requested that there would be no financial exposure to the Council as a result of the arrangements. The Leader confirmed that the Council was not responsible or liable for the finances of the new university but would oversee the use of grants from central government and ensure that money was used in accordance with funding agreements.

The confirmation of committee functions at the council and the calculation of proportionality was put to the vote; Council voted to approve the recommendations.

The Leader proposed and Councillor JG Lester seconded the appointment of Councillor RJ Phillips as Vice Chairman of the Employment Panel. Council voted to approve the appointment.

Resolved – that:

a)    The existing functions of committees are confirmed as sufficient to supervise the discharge of accountable body functions in relation to public funding supporting the establishment of a new university in Hereford;

b)    The allocation of committee seats to political groups as contained in paragraph 13 of the officer report is agreed; and

c)    Councillor RJ Phillips is appointed as the Vice Chairman of the Employment Panel.