Agenda and draft minutes

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

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the Minutes of the previous meeting(s)

Resolved:                 That the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th February 2026 be agreed as a correct record.

When the Mayor has declared the result of the election, the Mayor, preceded by the Mace Bearers, will retire from the room, accompanied by the Chief Executive and the Mayor Elect.

The Mayor Elect will then be robed and invested with the chain of office.  The Mayor Elect will then return to the meeting room preceded by the Mace Bearers and accompanied by the Chief Executive.

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

Two nominations were received: Councillor Christopher Bailey and Councillor Joan Whieldon.

Councillor Bailey was proposed by Councillor Jonathan Gullis and seconded by Councillor Graham Shaw. Councillor Gullis stated that Councillor Bailey had served his country bravely in the armed forces, had shown great inspiration throughout his working life and at the age of sixty, gaining a degree. It would be an honour to see him as Mayor of the Borough.

Councillor Whieldon was proposed by Councillor Simon Tagg and seconded by Councillor Holland. Councillor Tagg stated that as Deputy Mayor for the past year, Councillor Whieldon had supported the Mayor – attending functions on his behalf, representing the Borough with dedication and enthusiasm, assisted by her Deputy Mayoress, Councillor Susan Beeston. Councillor Whieldon was thanked for the work that she had done over the past year.

The Chief Executive moved the nominations to a vote. There were:

-       25 (twenty-five) votes in favour of Councillor Bailey

-       15 (fifteen) votes in favour of Councillor Whieldon

-       2 (two) abstentions

Resolved:     That Councillor Christopher Bailey be appointed as Mayor for the 2026-27 Municipal Year.

After being robed and invested with the chain of office, the Mayor Elect returned to the meeting room preceded by the Mace Bearers and accompanied by the Chief Executive.

The Mayor took the chair and made the declaration of acceptance of office.

Watch the appointment here

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

One nomination was received: Councillor Mark Harrison was proposed by Councillor Gullis and seconded by Councillor Shaw.

A vote was taken.

Resolved:     That Councillor Mark Harrison be appointed as Deputy Mayor for the 2026-27 Municipal Year.

The Deputy Mayor made the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and expressed his commitment to serve to the best of his ability.

Watch the proceedings here

The Mayor will announce appointments to Civic Roles for the forthcoming year.

The following appointments were made:

-       Mayoress:                  Deborah Bailey

-       High Constable:       Peter Whalan

-       Mayor’s Cadet:         Cdt Elayna Johnson

-       Chaplain:                   Father Christopher Routledge

-       Mace Bearers:          Jenny Otter and Glenn Martin James

Watch the proceedings here

To receive the Mayoral address

The Mayor thanked members for electing him and expressed feeling honoured to have been considered for this office and referred to the vital role of mayor for a borough’s heritage.

The Mayor’s two chosen charities were announced as follows:

-       Tri-Services and Veterans Support Centre

-       Bradwell Bombers FC

Watch the proceedings here

In appreciation of their services during the past year, the Group Leaders will lead a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor and Mayoress.

On behalf of the Council, Councillor Simon Tagg congratulated the Mayor on his appointment and expressed thanks and appreciation to the retiring Mayor, and Mayoress who had picked up the reins following the sad death of the previous Mayor, Barry Panter.

The Leader notably referred to successful events of the past year including ‘one Mayor Meandering’ walking the boundary of the Borough. Councillor Robert and Mrs Judy Bettley-Smith had been excellent ambassadors for the Borough.

Watch the proceedings here

Retiring Mayor’s response.

The retiring Mayor stated that the start of his Mayoral year had been overshadowed by the tragic death of former Mayor, Councillor Barry Panter, whose portrait now hung in the Mayor’s Parlour.

During his Mayoral year he had enjoyed excellent support from both sides of the Chamber.  He sent his best wishes to former Councillors who had not returned after the elections held in May.

The retiring Mayor wished to thanked the Chief Executive, other officers and the Mayoral team for their advice and support. He thanked his son, Sam who had been his High Constable throughout the year but had been unable to attend this evening. Therefore, his daughter performed the role this evening. He thanked his wife Judy for her support, advice and encouragement.

The year had been an adventure and objectives had been achieved and every visit had been enjoyable with 325 visits made throughout the year and raised around £36,000 for the two chosen charities.

Two main charities had been supported – Papyrus and Belong but many other charities were supported personally.

Gifts were handed to the Mayoress, Consort, High Constable, Civic and Member Support Officer, Chauffeur, Mace Bearers, Chaplain and High Sergeant.

The retiring Mayor finished by congratulating the new Mayor and letting him know he could rely on him would he need any advice or support.

The Mayor handed out badges of office to the retiring mayor and mayoress and as recognition for their service.

Watch the proceedings here

To appoint the Leader of the Council for 2026-2030.

It was moved by Councillor Glenn Tift and seconded by Councillor Vanessa Renshaw that Councillor Jonathan Gullis be appointed as Leader of the Council.

Councillor Gullis thanked Councillor Simon Tagg for his many years of service as Leader of the Borough Council and for his passion and commitment to the Borough. The voters were also thanked for putting their trust in a Reform Administration.

Resolved:    That Councillor Jonathan Gullis be appointed as Leader of the Council.

Watch the proceedings here

The Leader will report the appointment of the Cabinet and Deputy Leader for 2026/27.

The Leader confirmed Councillor Graham Shaw as Deputy Leader and the following as members of the Cabinet for 2026/27:

-       Councillor Jonathan Gullis

– Cabinet Member for Planning and Town Centres

-       Councillor Graham Shaw

– Cabinet Member for Finance

-       Councillor Vanessa Renshaw

– Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Protection

-       Councillor Ben Simpson

– Cabinet Member for Waste, Recycling and Green Spaces

-       Councillor Martin Rogerson

– Cabinet Member for Legal, Governance and

Organisational Performance

-       Councillor Andrew Fisher

– Cabinet Member for Residents Services and Neighbourhoods

Watch the proceedings here

The Leader introduced a report and moved the recommendations detailing the results from the elections held earlier this month.

Councillor Shaw seconded the recommendations.

The Leader thanked previous members who had not returned following the elections and stated that in the near future, the following former Councillors would be welcomed as Honorary Aldermen of the Borough:

Gillian Burnett-Faulkner, Paul Northcott, Paul Waring, Mike Stubbs, Stephen Sweeney, Ian Wilkes, Gill Williams and John Williams who had all met the relevant criteria. 

Sylvia Dymond was just short of a year and it was hoped that, by working with officers a way could be found to make her eligible to become an Honorary Alderman.

The Leader stated that the election results had been historic – going from one Reform UK Councillor to twenty-seven. There was an amazing team of members with a wide range of experience. The Leader said that he looked forward to working with everyone to help drive an agenda forward, tackling the bread and butter issues that mattered to people.

Councillor Simon Tagg thanked and congratulated the new Leader of the Council on his appointment. Where the new Administration did the right thing and took the Borough forward they would be supported by the Conservative group. They would however be held to account where failures were seen.

Councillor Tagg paid tribute to former members of his group who had not returned following the elections.

Resolved:     That the information be received.

Watch the debate here

Councillor Duffy left the meeting at 8:01pm

The Leader introduced and proposed to approve the Calendar of Meetings.

This was seconded by Councillor Graham Shaw.

Resolved:     That the draft Calendar of Meetings 2026-30 be approved.

Watch the debate here

To appoint Members to committees.

The Mayor proposed that members of the committees be appointed as per the list provided and that a vote on committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs be taken en-bloc. There were 25 (twenty-five) votes in favour of the Reform members, 15 (fifteen) votes in favour of Conservative members and 2 (two) in favour of Labour members.

Resolved:     That the committees’ membership as set out in the Appendix to the report be agreed, and that the Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs be appointed as follows:

Watch the debate here

The Mayor proposed to take the appointments en bloc to the vote. There were 25 (twenty-five) votes in favour of the Reform UK nominees and 15 (fifteen) votes in favour of the Conservatives nominees.

Resolved:    That representatives to the outside bodies be appointed as follows:

Watch the debate here

The Leader introduced the report and moved the recommendation forward.

This was seconded by Councillor Martin Rogerson.

Councillor Mark Holland expressed his support for the report and highlighted that the changes that had been made in relation to procurement procedures.

Councillor Joan Whieldon enquired about the timescale for the implementation of the recommendations.

The Service Director for Legal and Governance (Monitoring Officer) said the request would be taken forward.

The Leader advised that further amendments to the Constitution would be taken to the next full Council meeting, adding that these would not be subject to a cross-party working group.

Resolved:     1. That the updates to the constitution produced by the Monitoring Officer (see Appendices to the report) be noted.

2. That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to progress amendments to the constitution at Appendices 1-3. 3.

3. That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make any further administrative / enabling amendments to the constitution as required.

Watch the debate here

To consider any communications which pursuant to Section B4, Rule 9 of the constitution are, in the opinion of the Mayor, of an urgent nature and to pass thereon such resolutions as may be deemed necessary.

The Leader introduced the report and moved the recommendation forward.

Councillor Martin Rogerson seconded the recommendation.

Councillor Simon Tagg, the Leader and the Mayor respectively thanked the departing Monitoring Officer for his work and wished him luck in his new role.

Resolved:     That in accordance with section 5 of the Local Government & Housing Act 1989:

1. The appointment of Barbara Beardwell as the Council’s Interim Monitoring Officer, be confirmed.

2. The approval be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to maintain an Interim Monitoring Officer ahead of a permanent replacement.

Watch the debate here

To resolve that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following report(s) as it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs contained within Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There were no confidential items.