Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: The Victoria Room, Loughborough Town Hall

Link: Click here for sound recording

Items
No. Item

1.

Opening the Meeting

Minutes:

The Mayor welcomed the Deputy Lieutenant and other attendees to the meeting.  The Mayor then went on to state that the meeting was being recorded and the sound recording would be made available on the Council’s website.  In addition, under the Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations people may film, record, tweet or blog the meeting and that was outside the Council’s control.

2.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Paling and Savage, and from Honorary Aldermen Bush and Tormey.

3.

Appointment of Mayor

To appoint a Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the Council year 2019/20.

Minutes:

In accordance with Council Procedure 9.1 of the Council’s Constitution, Council considered electing a Mayor for the 2019/20 Council year.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Miah and seconded by Councillor Brookes that Councillor Brenda Seaton be elected Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the 2019/20 Council year and until her successor becomes entitled to act as Mayor.

 

In proposing the motion, Councillor Miah stated he had been elected to the Council at the same time as Councillor Seaton, in May 2007.  What he remembered from those days was the energy and enthusiasm that she brought to the role.  She also brought life experiences which had enabled to be an excellent representative for Thurmaston and the Borough as a whole. 

 

After leaving school she had undertaken a variety of jobs in Leicester and further afield.  At the age of 35 she had gone back to college and gained GCSE, NVQ and degree qualifications and then worked as a high level teaching assistant at the same school she had left at 16.  She had recently retired from that job to be able to spend more time with her family and on her role as a councillor.  She would be supported by her sister who would be her Mayoress.

 

During her time as a Borough Councillor, Councillor Seaton had sat on many different committees and, until recently, had been Chair of the Policy Scrutiny Group.  She had taken an active role on committees, asking questions and focusing on issues that were important to residents of the Borough, and seeking to make the Council a better organisation.

 

She had always taken being a ward councillor very seriously and was a true community councillor.  She took a hands-on approach in Thurmaston that included being a founding member of the Thurmaston Action Group, helping to organise the annual carnival, undertaking numerous environmental projects and seeking to help people in the village.  This was recognised when she was elected as a County Councillor in 2017.

 

Councillor Miah concluded by stating that Councillor Seaton would be an excellent Mayor and he looked forward to the year ahead.

 

In seconding the motion, Councillor Brookes referred to Councillor Seaton being known for her straight talking and her sense of humour.  She had married David in 1982 and they had three children.  Councillor Seaton had always been a devoted mother and relished the challenges being a parent brought.

 

Councillor Seaton had recently retired from being a teacher.  The timing of her retirement was influenced by the anticipation of having grandchildren, a new role which she greatly enjoyed.

 

Councillor Seaton had been a Borough Councillor for Thurmaston for 12 years.  She was extremely active in the community and never hesitated to get involved with projects.  She had been fundamental in the relocation of Thurmaston library and also involved in planting daffodils with the Thurmaston Action Group, raising funds for the extension of the boxing club and helping to organise the Thurmaston carnival, among others.

 

Councillor Brookes also referred to the support  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Vote of Thanks to Retiring Mayor

Minutes:

Following the election of a new Mayor, Council considered a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor, Councillor C. Harris.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Shepherd and seconded by Councillor Forrest that this Council tenders to Councillor Christine Harris its thanks for the service she has provided as Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood and for the way in which she has presided over the Council’s business during the past Council year.  The Council records its gratitude for the manner in which she has maintained the position of the Mayoralty and the work she has done in meeting so many people in the Borough throughout the year.  The Council also extends its thanks to Ms Cynthia Bradley-Stevenson for her service as Mayoress and for the help and support she has provided to the Mayor and for the considerate and committed way in which she has undertaken her role.  The Council assures both Councillor Harris and Ms Bradley-Stevenson that they have the best wishes of all its members for their future health and wellbeing.

 

In proposing the motion, Councillor Shepherd stated that Councillor Harris had finished her Mayoral year with a flourish, arriving back from a twinning visit only the night before.  In the course of the year she had attended a wide range of engagements, including a visit by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Loughborough University, the royal garden party, birthday parties, graduation ceremonies and delivering presentations to 600 school children.  The annual Picnic in the Park event in Loughborough had celebrated the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage.  The Mayor had attended a number of 100th birthday parties, including for former Mayoress Kathleen Bird.

 

Councillor Shepherd referred to both Councillor Harris and Ms Bradley-Stevenson having undertaken their duties while suffering from illness and this reinforced the thanks that the Council owed to them.

 

Councillor Forrest stated that it was a great honour to second the motion.  It had been a busy year for Councillor Harris and she had attended many events across the Borough.  She had had the honour of attending a number of events commemorating the centenary of the end of the First World War, including lighting a beacon for the Scouts at Thorpe Acre as well as the annual service of remembrance at the Carillon in Loughborough.  She had also switched on the Diwali lights and opened the Loughborough Fair.  During the year she had probably met thousands of people through visits to schools, businesses, Loughborough University, festivals and many other events.  As always, Christmas was a busy year for the Mayor, and she stated that the civic carol service was an inspiring event.  Councillor Harris had visited three of Loughborough’s twin towns in Europe and had received visitors from two of them.

 

Councillor Forrest also referred to the ill health of the Ms Bradley-Stevenson, which had meant that she had been unable to attend as many events as she had wished to.  Councillor Forrest invited councillors to wish her a speedy recovery.  She stated that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Appointment of Deputy Mayor

To appoint a Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the Council year 2019/20.

Minutes:

In accordance with Council Procedure 9.1 of the Council’s Constitution, Council considered electing a Deputy Mayor for the 2019/20 Council year.

 

It was proposed by the Mayor (Councillor Seaton), seconded by Councillor Morgan and

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that Councillor David Snartt be elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the 2019/20 Council year.

 

Following this, Councillor Snartt signed his declaration of acceptance of office and took up his seat next to the Mayor.

6.

Disclosures of Pecuniary and Personal Interests

Minutes:

No disclosures of pecuniary and personal interests were made.

7.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 109 KB

To confirm the minutes of the Council meeting held on 25th March 2019.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 25th March 2019 were confirmed and signed.

8.

Appointment of Leader of the Council pdf icon PDF 64 KB

A report of the Chief Executive, enabling the Council to appoint a Leader of the Council for the Council term 2019/20 to 2022/23, is attached.

Minutes:

It was proposed by Councillor Barkley, seconded by Councillor Poland and

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Jonathan Morgan be appointed as Leader of the Council for the Council term 2019/20 to 2022/23.

 

Reason

 

To make an appointment to the position of Leader of the Council, in accordance with the Local Government Act 2000 and section 9.1 of the Council’s Constitution.

 

Following the resolution Councillor Morgan informed the Council that the councillors appointed to the Cabinet would continue to be Councillors Barkley, Bokor, Harper-Davies, Mercer, Poland, Rollings, Smidowicz, Taylor and Vardy.

 

Councillor Miah informed the Council that the Labour Group had made the following shadow lead member appointments: Councillor Miah (Leader of the Labour Group and Shadow for Council Leadership and Financial Affairs), Councillor Draycott (Deputy Leader of the Labour Group and Shadow for Housing and Benefits), Councillor Hamilton (Labour Shadow for Leisure, Culture, Markets and Business), Councillor Tillotson (Labour Shadow for Planning, Open Spaces and Environment) and Councillor Forrest (Labour Shadow for Regulatory and Outsourced Services).

9.

Political Balance and Appointments to Committees for 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 81 KB

A report of the Chief Executive, enabling the Council to determine the political balance of the Council’s committees and to appoint members, Chairs and Vice-chairs (where applicable), is attached. 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report of the Chief Executive, in respect of the arrangements for considering political balance and making appointments to committees for 2019/20, was submitted (item 7 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 

A supplementary report of the Chief Executive was also submitted, presenting the nominations received from political groups and ungrouped councillors in order to make appointments to committees, including appointment of Chairs and Vice-chairs (where Council makes these appointments), for the 2019/20 Council year (also filed with these minutes).

 

It was proposed by Councillor Morgan, seconded by Councillor Miah and

 

RESOLVED

 

1.         that the political balance arrangements for the 2019/20 Council year, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report of the Chief Executive, be approved in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990;

 

2.         that appointments be made to the Council’s committees, including to the positions of Chair and Vice-chair where applicable, for the 2019/20 Council year, as follows:

 

(i)            Appeals and Reviews Committee

 

Name

Group

Councillor Capleton (Chair)

Conservative

Councillor Howe (Vice-chair)

Conservative

Councillor Charles

Conservative

Councillor K. Harris

Labour

Councillor Needham

Other

 

(ii)          Audit Committee

 

Name

Group

Councillor S. Bradshaw

Conservative

Councillor Charles

Conservative

Councillor Hadji-Nikolaou

Conservative

Councillor Parsons

Conservative

Councillor Bolton

Labour

Councillor C. Harris

Labour

 

(iii)         Member Conduct Committee

 

Name

Group

Councillor Tassell (Chair)

Conservative

Councillor Murphy (Vice-chair)

Conservative

Councillor Bentley

Conservative

Councillor Hadji-Nikolaou

Conservative

Councillor Rollings

Conservative

Councillor J. Bradshaw

Labour

Councillor Hamilton

Labour

 

(iv)         Personnel Committee

 

Name

Group

Councillor Morgan (Chair)

Conservative

Councillor Boldrin (Vice-chair)

Labour

Councillor Barkley

Conservative

Councillor Poland

Conservative

Councillor Shepherd

Conservative

Councillor Snartt

Conservative

Councillor Ward

Labour

 

(v)          Plans Committee

 

Name

Group

Councillor Fryer (Chair)

Conservative

Councillor Bentley (Vice-chair)

Conservative

Councillor Bailey

Conservative

Councillor Grimley

Conservative

Councillor Lowe

Conservative

Councillor Ranson

Conservative

Councillor Savage

Conservative

Councillor Snartt

Conservative

Councillor Tassell

Conservative

Councillor Forrest

Labour

Councillor Hamilton

Labour

Councillor Tillotson

Labour

Councillor Campsall

Other

 

(vi)         Scrutiny Commission

 

Name

Group

Councillor Hunt (Chair)

Conservative

Councillor Draycott (Vice-chair)

Labour

Councillor Bailey

Conservative

Councillor Baines

Conservative

Councillor Parsons

Conservative

Councillor Rattray

Conservative

Councillor Bolton

Labour

 

(vii)        Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee

 

Name

Group

Councillor Parsons (Chair)

Conservative

Councillor Baines (Vice-chair)

Conservative

Councillor Paling

Conservative

Councillor Radford

Conservative

Councillor Shepherd

Conservative

Councillor Boldrin

Labour

Councillor Goddard

Labour

 

(viii)       Housing, Planning & Regeneration and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee

 

Name

Group

Councillor Grimley (Chair)

Conservative

Councillor Ranson (Vice-chair)

Conservative

Councillor S. Bradshaw

Conservative

Councillor Capleton

Conservative

Councillor Hunt

Conservative

Councillor Brennan

Labour

Councillor Needham

Other

 

(ix)         Neighbourhoods and Community Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee

 

Name

Group

Councillor Miah (Chair)

Labour

Councillor Brookes (Vice-chair)

Conservative

Councillor Fryer

Conservative

Councillor Howe

Conservative

Councillor Parton

Conservative

Councillor Rattray

Conservative

Councillor Popley

Other

 

(x)          Licensing Committee

 

Name

Group

Councillor Pacey (Chair)

Conservative

Councillor Lowe (Vice-chair)

Conservative

Councillor Forrest (Vice-chair)

Labour

Councillor Brookes

Conservative

Councillor Capleton

Conservative

Councillor Howe

Conservative

Councillor Murphy

Conservative

Councillor Paling

Conservative

Councillor Parton

Conservative

Councillor Ranson

Conservative

Councillor Savage

Conservative

Councillor C. Harris

Labour

Councillor Tillotson

Labour

Councillor Ward

Labour

Councillor Popley

Other

 

3.            that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Announcements

10.1

Mayor's Announcements

 

To receive announcements from the Mayor (if any).

Minutes:

The Mayor made the following announcement.

 

“I can announce that the charity appeal for my Mayoral year will contribute towards Admiral Nurses.

 

Admiral Nurses provide the specialist dementia support that families need when things get challenging or difficult.  Admiral Nurses work alongside people with dementia, and their families: giving them one-to-one support, expert guidance and practical solutions.  The unique dementia expertise and experience an Admiral Nurse brings is a lifeline – it helps families to live more positively with dementia in the present, and to face the challenges of tomorrow with more confidence and less fear.”

10.2

Chief Executive's Announcements

 

To receive announcements from the Chief Executive (if any).

Minutes:

The Chief Executive made no announcements.