Agenda and minutes

The Mayor welcomed the Lord Lieutenant, Mr Kapur and Honorary Freemen Lez-Cope-Newman and Mike Jones and other attendees to the meeting.  The Mayor then went on to state that the meeting was being live streamed and recorded, and the 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.

Reverend Tim Day led a tribute to those that had been affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic over the recent months and a minute’s silence was held for those that had lost their lives.

Apologies for absence Apologies for absence were received from Honorary Alderman Bush and Simon Jackson.

To appoint a Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the Council year 2020/21.

In accordance with Council Procedure 9.1 of the Council’s Constitution, Council considered electing a Mayor for the 2020/21 Council year. It was proposed by Councillor Hamilton and seconded by Councillor Taylor that Councillor Snartt be elected Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the 2020/21 Council year and until his successor becomes entitled to act as Mayor.

In proposing the motion, Councillor Hamilton complimented Councillor Snartt on his polite, positive and cheerful nature.

He referred to Councillor Snartt’s military career and stated that after joining the RAF at age 16, he spent 12 years as an engineer and remained active in the Armed Forces community today. Following this, Councillor Snartt had enjoyed a long career as a Manager at Xerox, and upon retiring, became involved in local politics as a Parish Councillor.

In 2003, Councillor Snartt progressed his political career, becoming District Councillor for the Forest/Bradgate ward. Councillor Hamilton stated that despite pride in his own ward, it was easy to be envious of any Councillor that represented a ward known for such picturesque beauty.

Councillor Snartt’s experience at Charnwood Borough Council included acting as Cabinet Lead Member for Communities and Health amongst other important roles focussing on crime reduction and community safety. He also represented the Council as a Trustee of the Herrick Homes Charity.

Between 2005 and 2017, Councillor Snartt was a member of Leicestershire County Council, and Chairman during the 2015-16 Council year. In addition, he had been a past Chairman of the Bradgate Park Trust and for this service was awarded the title of Honorary Alderman.

Councillor Snartt had a keen interest in sports, specifically Cricket, acting as Vice President of his local Cricket club, tennis and squash. In addition, Councillor Snartt is known for his enthusiasm for gardening, and supplying neighbours and fellow Councillors with his home grown produce.

It was noted that his wife Joan would support him in his Mayoral year as Mayoress. Together they had two children, four grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Councillor Hamilton concluded by stating that Councillor Snartt had fulfilled his goal of making a true difference to the community over the years, and that he believed Councillor Snartt would embrace his new role as Mayor with his usual sense of public duty.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Taylor stated that it was Councillor Snartt that had encouraged her to stand as a Borough Councillor in May 2015. She complimented his nature and stated that he was always smiling.

Amongst many other hobbies, Councillor Snartt enjoyed horse racing and would regularly offer Councillor Taylor a ‘great tip’ on a potential winner, whilst delivering his homegrown runner beans to her.

Councillor Taylor stated that she admired and respected Councillor Snartt’s commitment to achieve the best for his residents and his determination to succeed, whilst maintaining a pleasant and persuasive manner. She said that Councillor Snartt had been the best mentor to her when she began her political career, providing her with guidance and encouragement. She believed that without Councillor Snartt’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Following the election of a new Mayor, Council considered a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor, Councillor Brenda Seaton. It was proposed by Councillor Brookes and seconded by Councillor Bolton that this Council tenders to Councillor Seaton 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.

In proposing the motion, Councillor Brookes thanked Councillor Seaton and Mrs Helen Johnson for the way in which they had represented the Borough through their Mayoral term. He stated that the term had been like no other and that Councillor Seaton had been the longest serving Mayor of Charnwood due to the current circumstances.

Councillor Brookes stated that Councillor Seaton had taken to being Mayor easily and that her playful character was evident from the beginning of the term. She had bought humour to every engagement she had attended and had got involved in many activities throughout the year. These included fancy dress, judging dog shows and shooting rifles amongst many other activities. Councillor Seaton had attended 340 events during her Mayoral year and would have exceeded 420 without restrictions being applied during the pandemic. Councillor Seaton had been fortunate to attend three of Loughborough’s twinning towns; Epinal in France, Schwäbisch in Germany and Zamo?? in Poland.

Councillor Brookes commended Councillor Seaton for the way in which she conducted Full Council meetings as Chair. Her experience as a school teacher had been useful and she was known for her direct manner. Councillor Brookes recalls Councillor Seaton as Mayor, interrupting the Leader during one meeting of the Full Council, when he had exceeded his allocated speaking time. He stated that this approach meant that Full Council meetings operated efficiently.

Councillor Brookes concluded by stating that Councillor Seaton had been a fantastic Mayor and that she had represented the Borough well.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Bolton stated that she felt privileged to be able to do so and acknowledged the challenge that Councillor Seaton had endured as Mayor during this difficult time and that she had not been able to fulfil some of her duties.

Councillor Bolton considered Councillor Seaton an exemplary Mayor. At her first Full Council meeting as a newly elected Councillor, she had not stood up at the appropriate time, and she recalled Councillor Seaton’s look of disapproval. Councillor Bolton learnt from the experience and had never failed to stand again.

Councillor Seaton had been involved in two royal visits, and one of her highlights as Mayor was attending the 103rd birthday party of a resident. In addition to her community work, Councillor Seaton had visited all departments of the Council to thank staff for their work.

Councillor Seaton was also the first Mayor of Charnwood to participate in virtual meetings and to record virtual messages of support to residents and communities. In addition to this, she became the first Mayor of Charnwood to operate a Facebook  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To appoint a Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the Council year 2020/21.

In accordance with Council Procedure 9.1 of the Council’s Constitution, Council considered electing a Deputy Mayor for the 2020/21 Council year. It was proposed by Councillor Morgan seconded by Councillor Miah and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that Councillor Paul Baines be elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the 2020/21 Council year. Following this, Councillor Baines verbally made a declaration of acceptance of office, noting that the official acceptance form would be duly signed in the presence of the Proper Officer when circumstances permit.

No disclosures of personal or pecuniary interest were made.

To confirm the minutes of the Council meeting held on 24th February 2020.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 24th February 2020 were confirmed and signed.

To determine the political balance of the Council’s committees and to appoint members, Chairs and Vice-chairs (where applicable).

A report of the Chief Executive, in respect of the arrangements for considering political balance and making appointments to committees for 2020/21, 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 2020/21 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 2020/21 Council year, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report of the Chief Executive (circulated with the agenda), 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 2020/21 Council year as set out in the appendix to the supplementary report, and that the composition of the Loughborough Area Committee and the Scrutiny Call-in Committee be noted.

3. That Councillor Harper-Davies be nominated as Charnwood Borough Council’s representative on the Police and Crime Panel for the 2020/21 Council year and that Councillor Morgan be nominated as a substitute on the Police and Crime Panel for the 2020/21 Council year.

4. That Councillors Brennan, Radford and Seaton be appointed to the Housing Management Advisory Board on the basis of political balance (2 Conservative and 1 Labour).

5.  That Councillor Needham be appointed to the Licensing Committee on the basis of political balance principals (10 Conservative, 4 Labour and 1 Other).

Reasons

1. To ensure that the composition of the Council’s committees reflects the political balance of the Council.

2. To reflect the wishes of political groups and make allocations to non-grouped councillors in making appointments to applicable committees in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, to confirm appointments to other committees and to provide information regarding the composition of the Loughborough Area Committee and Scrutiny Call-in Committee.

3. To ensure that the Borough Council is represented on the Panel.

4. To make appointments to the Board for 2020/21.

5. To make appointments to the Committee for 2020/21.

To inform Council of Cabinet membership and responsibilities for 2020/21, together with details of the delegation of Executive functions.  Report of the Chief Executive to follow.

A supplementary report of the Chief Executive to inform Council of Cabinet membership and responsibilities for 2020/21, together with details of the delegation of Executive functions was submitted (item 8 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

Councillor Miah confirmed the Labour Group Shadow Lead Member appointments as follows:

·         Shadow Lead for Neighbourhoods and Communities, Covid-19 and Leader of the Labour Group – Councillor Miah

·         Shadow Lead for Economic Regeneration, Planning and Deputy Leader of the Labour Group – Councillor Hamilton

·         Shadow Lead for Finance, Property and Assets – Councillor Bolton

·         Shadow Lead for Cleanliness, Parks and Open Spaces – Councillor Paul Boldrin

·         Shadow Lead for Social and Private Sector Housing – Councillor Alice Brennan

·         Shadow Lead for Leisure, Culture and Markets – Councillor Jenni Tillotson

·         Shadow Lead for Climate Emergency and Carbon Management – Councillor Emma Ward

·         Shadow Lead for Young Persons – Councillor Kat Goddard.

To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer recommending the extension for a further year, the period of office to the current Independent Persons.

A report of the Monitoring Officer to consider extending, for a further year, the period of office to the current Independent Persons, subject to their agreement was submitted (item 9 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

It was proposed by Councillor Tassell, seconded by Councillor Murphy, and

RESOLVED that the following persons be offered a further year’s period of office, subject to their agreement with immediate effect until the end of the 2020/21 Council Year:

Mr Michael Pearson

Mr Mark Shaw

Mrs Christine Howell

Mr Gordon Grimes

Mr Richard Gough

Reason

To maintain experience and continuity and to comply with the requirements of section 28 of the Localism Act 2011.

To consider a  report of the Chief Executive, setting out  a proposed timetable for Council and committee meetings and designated member training days for the next two Council years.

A report of the Chief Executive to consider a proposed timetable for Council and committee meetings and designated member training days for the next two Council years (2020 - 2022), from June 2020 to May 2022.

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

RESOLVED

1. That the schedule of Council, Cabinet, Scrutiny and other committee meetings for 2020-22, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

2. That the proposed dates for member training days for 2020-22, attached as Appendix 2 to the report, be endorsed.

3. That delegated authority be given to the Head of Strategic Support to make minor amendments and corrections to the schedule of Council and committee meetings and member training days.

Reasons

1. To ensure that a schedule of meetings for 2020-22 is agreed to enable planning for the forthcoming two Council years.

2. To ensure that there is a timetable to enable planning for training and development days for councillors and co-opted members.

3. To enable minor amendments and corrections to be made in a timely manner.

To receive announcements as follows:

11.1 MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS To receive announcements from the Mayor (if any).

11.2 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S ANNOUNCEMENTS To receive announcements from the Chief Executive (if any).

The Mayor made the following announcement.

‘I can announce that the charity appeal for my Mayoral Year will contribute towards LOROS and Admiral Nurses.’

The Chief Executive had no announcements to make.