Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Boldrin, J Bradshaw, Draycott, Harper-Davies, C HarrisLowe, Radford, Ranson and Savage.

Apologies for absence were also received from Honorary Aldermen Bush, Stott and Tormey.

To appoint a Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the Council year 2022/23.

In accordance with Council Procedure 9.1 of the Council’s Constitution, Council considered electing a Mayor for the 2021/22 Council year. It was proposed by the Leader and seconded by Councillor Miah that Councillor Tillotson be elected Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the 2022/23 Council year and until her successor becomes entitled to act as Mayor.

In proposing the motion, Councillor Morgan referred to the challenge of representing the Borough as the mayor of Charnwood and stated that Councillor Tillotson had all the qualities that make a great Mayor.

He spoke about her degree in Performing Arts and the Stage Left Theatre Workshop that she co-founded with her husband and Consort, John.

He also spoke about Councillor Tillotson’s life in Charnwood. She had lived in the Borough for almost 50 years and knew the area very well. Prior to her retirement, Councillor Tillotson had worked in Local Government for 20 years in Leicestershire and was passionate about Mayoralty and the council in resident’s lives.

Councillor Morgan referred to Councillor Tillotson’s hobbies. She was a keen cyclist, completing many long distance rides in the UK and overseas, and also a  talented garden designer.

Councillor Morgan spoke about Councillor Tillotson’s role as a mother and a grandmother. She had two children, Lisa and Dylan, and three grandchildren, Thea, Georgia and Logan.

Councillor Morgan highlighted that Councillor Tillotson’s Mayoral year would involve representing the Borough during the Queen’s Jubilee. He also referred to the hundreds of events that the Mayor’s diary would be populated with throughout the year.

Councillor Morgan finished by thanking Councillor Tillotson for taking up the challenge of representing the Borough as Mayor of Charnwood and wished her a great year ahead. 

In seconding the motion, Councillor Miah referred to Councillor Tillotson’s early years, family life and how she was brought up a Methodist.

After marrying John and having children, the family moved to Loughborough where John had a teaching position at Rawlins Community College. After raising the children, Councillor Tillotson became interested in pursuing further education. Following this she began her career at Leicester City Council, which she enjoyed for 20 years. By the end of her career at Leicester City Council, she was Assistant Director of the Leisure Services department.

Councillor Miah described how following retirement, Councillor Tillotson felt that she wanted to become more involved within the Charnwood community, which lead her to stand for election as a Councillor. He said that Councillor Tillotson would be an excellent Mayor. He highlighted that as communities are recovering from the Covid-19 Pandemic, Councillor Tillotson’s role of Mayor was substantially important. He urged Councillor Tillotson to enjoy herself and to have a fantastic year.

Following the above speeches, the Mayor put the motion to the vote and it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that Councillor Tillotson be elected Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the 2022/23 Council year and until her successor becomes entitled to act as Mayor.

Following this, Councillor Tillotson signed her declaration of acceptance of office. Following  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

Following the election of a new Mayor, Council considered a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor, Councillor Paul Baines. It was proposed by Councillor Hamilton and seconded by Councillor Taylor that this Council tenders to Councillor Baines its thanks for the service he has provided as Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood and for the way in which he has presided over the Council’s business during the past Council year.

In proposing the motion, Councillor Hamilton thanked Councillor Baines and Dr Ning Baines for their services and stated that the Council assures them that they have the best wishes of all its members for their future health and wellbeing.

Councillor Hamilton stated that Councillor Baine’s Mayoral year was a year of transition as communities emerged from Covid-lockdown. He stated that Councillor Baines had seen the return of in-person meetings and the establishment of the ‘new normal’.

Councillor Baines had attended many events as Mayor and many dinners. He said that Councillor Baines had not gained any weight during his Mayoral year,  but that he had had to counter his many dinners with additional time spent in the gym.

Councillor Baines was fortunate enough to be Mayor during the 800th anniversary of the Loughborough Market and Fair. Councillor Hamilton explained that this had been a highlight of Councillor Baines’ time as Mayor.

Councillor Hamilton spoke about the other events that Councillor Baines had attended to represent the Borough, including the commemoration of the sacrifices of conflicts such as Remembrance Day and Holocaust Memorial Day. The Mayor had also attended some benefits for the conflict in Ukraine.

Some of the highlights of Councillor Baines Mayor Year were mentioned, including the Pie and Mash Dinner for Men and Women in Sheds and the Royal Garden Party. Councillor Baines, as Mayor, attended a number of events for new businesses, which Councillor Hamilton stated showed people still had the confidence to invest in the future of Charnwood, even in such challenging times.

Another significant highlight for Councillor Baines was meeting a young man in Cossington. Being wheelchair bound meant that he had very limited mobility, but he was very keen to do some work for his community and became a member of the local Neighbourhood Watch. Councillor Baines was proud to have been able to meet the ‘Sheriff of Cossington’, as the young man was now known.

Councillors Baines had held a number of successful charity events, which had raised around £3,000 for Marie Curie and around £2,500 for Living Without Abuse. 

Councillor Hamilton stated that Councillor Baines’ Mayor year had been very successful and reiterated that the Council thanked him and Dr Ning Baines for their service.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Taylor stated that as Mayor, Councillor Baines had thrown himself into everything and more. She recalled that she had attended some events with Councillor Baines as Mayor and thanked him for the opportunity to do so. She stated that attending events with Councillor Baines as Mayor had allowed her to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To appoint a Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the Council year 2022/23.

In accordance with Council Procedure 9.1 of the Council’s Constitution, Council considered electing a Deputy Mayor for the 2022/23 Council year. It was proposed by Councillor Miah seconded by Councillor Morgan and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that Councillor Margaret Smidowicz be elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the 2022/23 Council year. Following this, Councillor Smidowicz signed her declaration of acceptance of office and took up her seat next to the Mayor.

No disclosures were made.

To confirm the minutes of the Council meeting held on 25th April 2022.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 25th April 2022 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 2022/23, 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 2022/23 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 Council year 2022/23, as set out in appendix 1 to the report, 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 Council year 2022/23 as set out in the appendix to the supplementary report.

3.    That the membership of the Loughborough Area Committee be noted.

4.    That Councillor Harper-Davies be appointed a representative on the Police and Crime Panel and that Councillor Morgan be appointed a substitute representative on the Police and Crime Panel for the Council year 2022/23.

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

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 committees in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990.

3.    To provide information regarding the membership of those committees.

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

5.    To make appointments to the Board for 2022/23.

[Post meeting note: Following the meeting, it was highlighted that there was an error on page 8 of appendix 2, published within the supplement pack. The table outlining the membership of the Loughborough Area Committee is not labelled.]

To receive announcements from the Mayor (if any).

The Mayor made an announcement to inform Council that her Mayor charity would be Rainbows  Hospice for Children and Young People.

To receive announcements from the Leader (if any).

The Leader made an announcement to inform Council of changes to the composition of the Cabinet. Cabinet membership and Lead Member responsibilities were as follows;

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

The Chief Executive made no announcements.