Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Allen, Ash, C Day, S Day, Fazal, Goodwin, Sanders.

The Retiring Mayor requested nominations for the election of Mayor for 2008/2009.

Councillors Walsh and Sharp were nominated and seconded. 

A vote was taken, with 35 votes for Councillor Walsh and 11 for Councillor Sharp. Councillor Walsh was duly elected Mayor for the municipal year 2009/2010.

The Mayor made and signed her Declaration of Office.  Councillor Nash invested the Mayor and Mayoress with their Chains of Office. 

The Mayor requested nominations for the election of Deputy Mayor for 2008/2009.

Councillor Winslade was nominated and seconded.  There were no other nominations. 

Councillor Winslade was duly elected Deputy Mayor for the municipal year 2008/2009 by general agreement.

The Deputy Mayor made and signed her Declaration of Office.  The Mayor invested the Deputy Mayor with her Chain of Office and the Mayoress invested the Deputy Mayor’s Consort with her Chain of Office.

Councillor Peach proposed a vote of thanks to Councillor Nash, the outgoing Mayor.  This was endorsed by Councillors Swift, Sandford and Khan.  

The Mayor invested Councillor Nash with her Badge of Office. 

Councillor Nash responded to the vote of thanks saying that it had been a memorable and privileged year.  She also expressed her gratitude for the support she had received from her Deputy Mayor, Councillor Nawaz, and Jackie Holmes, Janet Frusher and Frank Langan from the Mayor’s Civic Team. 

Councillor Nash then presented the Mayor’s Award to Stuart Orme, Visitor Services and Marketing Manager, for his outstanding contribution to the community.

The meeting was adjourned at 7.30 p.m. and reconvened at 8.00 p.m.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held 8 April 2009.

The minutes of the meeting held 8 April 2009 were agreed as a true and accurate record.

The Mayor expressed her appreciation and honour at being elected.

The annual report of the Standards Committee was noted, and the work programme for the forthcoming year was endorsed subject to the deferral of a decision on paragraph 4.2. which related to the training of members on Standards issues.

To receive and note membership of Political Groups and Leaders

Political Groups and membership for the municipal year 2008/2009 were noted. The Leader addressed Council and expressed his thanks for its support over the previous three years.

The results of the city and parish elections held on 1 May 2008 were noted. 

Councillor Cereste was nominated and seconded as Leader of the Council.  A vote was requested and taken and Councillor Cereste was duly elected.

Councillor Cereste presented his scheme of delegations, named his Cabinet Members and their responsibilities, and highlighted the administration’s priorities for the municipal year ahead.

Councillors Swift, Sandford and Khan responded to the Leader’s speech. 

RESOLVED:

1.       To note the Leader’s Scheme of Delegations to Cabinet Members;

2.      To agree new scrutiny arrangements;

3.      To agree its Committee structure;

4.      To approve the Terms of Reference of the Scrutiny Committees and Commissions.

5.      To agree the allocation of seats to political groups.

6.      To appoint Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of Committees including the Chairman Elect of the proposed Area Committees, Committee Memberships for 2009 / 2010 and co-opted members.

7.      To delegate consequential updating of the Constitution to the Solicitor to the Council arising from paragraphs 2, 3, 4 and 5 above.

To approve changes to the Constitution to reflect necessary factual and legislative changes and changes recommended following consultation with the Constitution Review Group.

The substantive report was withdrawn. Councillor Lee moved the recommendation outlined in the order paper which proposed varying part 4, Standing Orders Section 2, paragraph 5.1 to extend the Group Leader provisions to include nominations of the Group Leader.

RESOLVED:

To approve the changes as set out in the order paper.