Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies from Members.

Apologies were received from Councillor Johnson.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting (24/02/2016)

Resolved:              That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 February, 2016 be agreed as a correct record.

To receive declarations of interest from Members on items contained within this agenda.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

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

• Retiring Mayoress
• Retiring Consort
• Retiring High Constable
• Retiring Chaplain
• Chief Executive
• Mayor Designate
• Consort 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
• Consort designate
• Chief Executive
• High Constable designate
• Chaplain designate
• Retiring Mayoress
• Retiring Consort
• Retiring High Constable
• Retiring Chaplain

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

The Mayor requested that the Council place on record appreciation of the service given by former Councillors who had not sought re-election or had been unsuccessful at the recent elections.  Their dedicated service to the Council was greatly valued.

Councillor Reddish proposed Councillor Wilkes as Mayor for the next municipal year.

Councillor  Walklate seconded this nomination.

Resolved:

That Councillor Wilkes is appointed as Mayor for the municipal year 2016 to 2017.

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

Councillor Proctor proposed Councillor White as Deputy Mayor, this was seconded by Councillor Shenton

Councillor Sweeney proposed Councillor Heesom, this was seconded by Councillor J Cooper

Following a vote that was in favour of Councillor White it was:-

Resolved:     That Councillor Simon White be appointed as Deputy Mayor for the municipal year 2016 to 2017.

The Mayor will announce the appointment of his/her:

Consort

High Constable

Chaplain

Mace Bearers

The Mayor made the following appointments:

Mayoress                Mrs Anne Patricia Wilkes

High Constable        Thomas Ian Wilkes

Chaplain                 Reverend Philip Silk

Mace-Bearers         Laurence Tagg and James Worgan

To receive the Mayoral address.

The Mayor welcomed Councillors and stated that the following would be his charities for the municipal year:

Diabetes UK (North Staffs Voluntary Group

Canine Partners

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

Councillor Shenton proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor and Consort.  Councillors said that it had been a privilege to work with the retiring Mayor and that both she and the Consort had brought compassion and both great spirit and humility to the role whilst continuously promoting the interests of the Borough and the Council.

Retiring Mayor’s response.

Councillor Mrs Hambleton thanked members and highlighted how the work undertaken had helped to raise the profiles of her charities in the public eye and that approximately £10,000 had been raised for the Mayor’s chosen charities throughout the year.

Councillor Mrs Hambleton thanked all those who had supported both her and her Consort during the year and said that it had been both a pleasure and a privilege to serve as Mayor.  Councillor Mrs Hambleton wished the new Mayor every success for the forthcoming year

To receive the Mayor’s announcements of forthcoming events.

The Mayor announced that the Annual Civic Church Service would be held at St. Giles Church on the morning of Sunday 3 July and that those able to attend were invited to join him.

The Leader will report the appointment of his/her Cabinet and Deputy Leader for 2016/17

The Leader confirmed Councillor Turner as Deputy Leader and the following as members of the Cabinet:-

Councillor Rout

Councillor Williams

Councillor Beech

Councillor Kearon

To appoint Members to committees.

The Council is requested to review its representation on outside bodies for 2016/2017.

In the case of any appointments made by office rather than by name, in the event of any change to the office holder these will automatically transfer to the new incumbent.

Resolved:    That the following members be appointed to Outside Bodies:-

In accordance with the requirement for Council to formally adopt the Constitution for the forthcoming municipal year the Monitoring Officer submitted a report which updated members on the changes since the last meeting of Annual Council. These changes included:-

(i)            Approval to delegate responsibility for the calculation of the Council Tax Base to the Executive Director (Resources and Support Services)

(ii)          Amendments to the Scheme of Delegation for the Environmental Health function and the Licensing function as a consequence of legislative changes.

(iii)         A revised Appendix 21 – Protocol on Planning Matters.  The Protocol to be reviewed in six months’ time (i.e. August 2016)

Resolved:     That the Constitution as now amended be adopted.

To consider a report on Members Allowances.

Resolved:     That the scheme of allowances as set out in the report be retained for the Municipal Year 2016/17.

To receive the Calendar of Meetings for 2016/17.

Resolved:     That Council agree the dates/times of the meetings as listed at Appendix A in the report now submitted.

There was no urgent business.