Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Margaret Astle, Peter Hailstones, Thomas Lawton, Chloe Mancey, Glyn Plant, Sandra Simpson, Mike Stubbs and Andrew Wemyss.

Held on 24 April 2013, to be signed as a correct record.

Resolved:     That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 April 2013 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Mayor referred to the recent sad deaths of former Councillors Tatton, Mayer and Kelsall and those present stood for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect.

Members paid tribute to the former councillors and their many years service to the council and the community.

When the Mayor has declared the result of the election, the incoming Mayor, retiring Mayor and Chief Executive, preceded by the Mace Bearers, will retire to the Mayor’s Parlour accompanied by the following:-

• Retiring Mayoress
• Retiring High Constable
• Retiring Chaplain
• Mayoress designate
• High Constable designate
• Chaplain designate

The incoming Mayor will then be robed and invested with the chain of office.  The Mayoral party will then return to the Council Chamber in the following order:-

• Mace Bearers
• Mayor
• Mayoress designate
• Chief Executive
• High Constable designate
• Chaplain designate
• Retiring Mayor
• Retiring Mayoress
• Retiring High Constable
• Retiring Chaplain

The Mayor will take the chair and make the declaration of acceptance of office.

It was proposed by Councillor George Cairns, seconded by Councillor Silvia Burgess and …

Resolved:     That Councillor Edward Michael Boden be elected Mayor for 2013/14.

Councillor Boden took the chair and made his declaration of acceptance of office.

Following the appointment of the Deputy Mayor, he/she will make the declaration of acceptance of office.

It was proposed by Councillor Mark Holland, seconded by Councillor Gillian Heesom and …

Resolved:     That Councillor Linda Hailstones be appointed Deputy Mayor for 2013/14.

Councillor Hailstones made her declaration of acceptance of office.

The Mayor will announce the appointment of his:-

Mayoress

High Constable

Chaplain

Mace Bearers

The Mayor made the following appointments:-

Mayoress:                Doris Boden

High Constable:     Michael Boden

Chaplain:                  Father Philip Griffin

Mace Bearers:         Laurence Tagg and Gordon Vernon

The Mayor indicated that he would present a fuller Mayoral address at the reception following the meeting, and announced that his charities would be North Staffordshire Adventure Playground and the Peter Pan Nursery.

In appreciation of their services during the past year, the retiring Mayor and Mayoress will be presented with their badges.

It was proposed by Councillor Gareth Snell, seconded by Councillor Robin Studd and …

Resolved:     That a vote of thanks be given to the retiring Mayor, Councillor David Becket.

The retiring Mayor, Councillor David Becket, responded to the vote of thanks and provided a summary of his year of office.

He also thanked Councillors Trevor and Sandra Hamilton, the retiring Deputy Mayor and Mayoress, for their support during the year and their commitment over the preceding two years, when they had also held Mayoral office.

The Mayor presented the retiring Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor David Becket and Doctor Anne Becket, with their ex-Mayor’s and ex-Mayoress’s badges.

The Mayor announced the forthcoming Civic Sunday Service, which would be held at St Giles Church on Sunday 16 June.

The Mayor will present a long service badge to Councillor Ann Heames in recognition of her 21 years service to the council and the people of Newcastle.

The Mayor presented Councillor Ann Heames with a long service badge to commemorate her 21 years service to the council and people of Newcastle.

The Leader will report the appointment of his Cabinet and Deputy Leader for 2013/14.

The Leader announced the following appointments:-

Deputy Leader:                   Councillor Mike Stubbs

Cabinet Portfolio Holders:-

Communications, Policy and Partnerships:               Cllr Gareth Snell

Culture and Leisure:                                                         Cllr Elsie Bates

Environment and Recycling:                                          Cllr Ann Beech

Finance and Resources:                                                 Cllr Mike Stubbs

Economic Development, Regeneration

and Town Centres:                                                            Cllr Terry Turner

Safer Communities:                                                          Cllr Tony Kearon

Stronger and Healthier Neighbourhoods:                  Cllr John Williams

Resolved:

(1)               That, in accordance with political proportionality requirements of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and other relevant legislation, the committees for 2013/14 be appointed in accordance with the structure and allocation of seats set out below:-

(2)               That the members, chairs and vice-chairs of committees be appointed as follows:-

The council is requested to review its representation on outside bodies for 2013/14.

The attached schedule shows the current representation.  Any nominations received to vary that representation will be circulated prior to the meeting.

In the case of any appointments made by office rather than by name (eg Portfolio Holder, Committee Chair), in the event of any change to the office holder these will automatically transfer to the new incumbent.

Resolved:     That the council’s representation on outside bodies for 2013/14 be as set out below, subject to further review as appropriate being undertaken in consultation with the group leaders and being the subject of a report to a future council meeting:-

Any business which is urgent in the opinion of the Mayor, in accordance with procedure rule 7.

Appointment of Monitoring Officer

The Mayor had agreed to this item of business being considered as one of urgency in accordance with section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, in view of the legal requirement for the authority to have in place a Monitoring Officer.

The Mayor reported that Paul Clisby, Head of Central Services and Monitoring Officer, would be leaving the council in June to take up a post with Warrington Council.  During a number of years with this council he had made an important contribution, most recently in helping the council to fully revise its constitution. He had also provided invaluable legal advice on major projects such as J2 and more recently Ryecroft.  Paul had also played a key role in supporting the administration of elections.  The council joined the Mayor in wishing Paul every success in his future career.

Because the Head of Central Services would be leaving before the next meeting of the council, there was a need to appoint a Monitoring Officer to take on the role from his departure.

Resolved:        That the council’s Audit Manager, Liz Dodd, be appointed to the role of Monitoring Officer in the interim under section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.