Agenda and minutes

To receive Declarations of Interest from Members on items included on the Agenda

There were no declarations of interest.

Resolved:-   That the statement be received.

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

            Retiring Mayoress

            Retiring High Constable

            Retiring Chaplain

            Mayoress/Consort designate

            High Constable designate

            Chaplain designate

The new Mayor will then be robed and invested with the Chain of Office.

They will return to the Council Chamber in the following order:

            Mace Bearers

            Mayor

            Mayoress/Consort designate

            Chief Executive

            High Constable designate

            Chaplain designate

            Retiring Mayor

            Retiring Mayoress

            Retiring High Constable

            Retiring Chaplain

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

Following a proposition from Cllr Studd that was seconded by Cllr Boden, Cllr David Becket was elected Mayor for the forthcoming Municipal Year.

The new Mayor, Councillor David Becket in the Chair.

The Mayor then made his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

On the proposition of Cllr George Cairns, seconded by Cllr Thomas Lawton, Councillor Eddie Boden was elected Deputy Mayor for the forthcoming Municipal Year.

Resolved: -  That the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th March 2012 be agreed as a correct record.

Mayoress or consort

High Constable

Chaplain

Mace Bearers

Mayoress:                  Dr. Ann Becket

High Constable:        Professor Claire Holdsworth

Chaplain:                    Reverend Pamela Lane

Mace Bearer:            Lawrence Tagg

The Mayor stated that he would present his speech in full at the Civic Reception at Keele University. The Mayor confirmed that his charities for the year would be Borderlines at the New Vic and the Realise Foundation. The Mayor thanked Cllr Trevor Hambleton and Cllr Sandra Hambleton for the hard work undertaken during the previous Municipal Year and highlighted the fact that through their efforts Newcastle Borough Council was held in high esteem throughout Staffordshire.

Cllr Snell also thanked the outgoing Mayor and Mayoress for the work undertaken on behalf of three charities both inside and outside of the Borough.

Thanks were also given to the Mayors Sergeant and Chauffeur.

Cllr Gareth Snell was appointed as Leader of the Council for the period 2012 to 2016.

Councillor Snell announced the appointment of Councillor Boden as Deputy Leader of the Council.

In accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990 to review the representation of political groups on Committees, Sub-Committees and Working Parties and to approve and adopt the arrangements and the membership on those bodies as set out for the next Municipal Year.

Councillor Snell announced the appointment of Cabinet as follows:

Member                     Portfolio

Cllr Snell:                    Communications, Transformation and Partnerships

Cllr Boden:                 Regeneration, Planning and Town Centres

Cllr Stubbs:                Finance and Budget Management

Ann Beech:                Environment and Recycling

Elsie Bates:               Culture and Leisure

Tony Kearon: Safer Communities

John Williams:           Stronger and Active Neighbourhoods

(a)   Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinating Committee

(b)   Transformation and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee

(c)   Active and Cohesive Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee

(d)   Cleaner, Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee

(e)   Economic Development & Enterprise Overview & Scrutiny Committee

(f)     Health Scrutiny Committee

Resolved:-   That the reports be received.

(a)   Planning Committee

(b)   Licensing Committee

(c)   Public Protection Committee

Resolved:-   That the reports be received.

Resolved: -    (a)        That the Council adopt the amendments to the Constitution recommended by the Working Group until the next full meeting of the Council.

(b)        That the Working Group carries out a continued review of the Constitution.

(c)        That ‘Constitutional Review’ forms part of the responsibilities of the Transformation and Resources Scrutiny Committee.

The Chair of the Transformation and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommended that a decision regarding the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel on Members Allowances be deferred until the next full meeting of the Council. The proposal was seconded by Cllr Beech. It was agreed that the report required in depth discussion and as such would be deferred.

Resolved: -  (a)       That the report be deferred until the next meeting of the Council.

                        (b)       That the current Member Allowance Scheme be retained until a final decision is made.

Resolved: -           That the following Members serve on Standing Committees:

To appoint the Chairs and Vice Chairs of Committees in accordance with Standing Order 46(1).  (List of nominations to be circulated at the meeting).

Resolved: -  That the following Members be Chairs and Vice Chairs of the Committees:

To receive from Members any petitions which they wish to present to the Council.

A petition was submitted by Cllr Margaret Astle in relation to the removal of trees in front of the playground at Maryhill Primary School.