Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Honorary Aldermen Bush and Tormey.

To appoint a Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the Council year 2023/24.

In accordance with Council Procedure 9.1 of the Council’s Constitution, Council considered electing a Mayor for the 2023/24 Council year.

It was proposed by Councillor Hamilton and seconded by Councillor Baines, that Councillor Margaret Smidowicz be elected Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the 2023/24 Council year and until her successor becomes entitled to act as Mayor.

In proposing the motion, Councillor Hamilton stated it was a pleasure to nominate Councillor Smidowicz as Mayor of Charnwood for the 2023/24 year. He referred to the way in which many people did not pronounce her name correctly, and stated that it was pronounced ‘ Smidowits’.

Councillor Hamilton started off by describing how Councillor Smidowicz’ family had been evacuated during the war, and that their London home had been destroyed in the Blitz. She was brought up in Buckinghamshire, and Councillor Hamilton described how she had been an independent minded tomboy as a child. He told of how she enjoyed exploring the countryside with her dog, Sally, and climbing trees and haystacks. She was frequently in trouble at school and was no stranger to the cane at her strict Convent school. Despite her rebellious ways as a child, she had always maintained a sense of justice. She had played truant from school one day, but later reported herself to her father.

Councillor Smidowicz started her career working at Midland Bank, but after meeting and marrying Frank Smidowicz, a US Marine, she enjoyed a life at Navy Bases across the world. She had lived in Texas, Cairo, Mississippi and Ghana, but the couple eventually settled in Loughborough.

Councillor Hamilton spoke about Councillor Smidowicz’ marriage to Frank, and explained that they had three children and eventually, three grandchildren.

Councillor Smidowicz had resumed her education as a mature student at Loughborough College and this led to a Master’s degree in Human Resources and Strategy. She studied the culture of organisations and she believed that the focus should always be on the people. She had an extensive career in academia and had taught many students. She had a strong belief that education can provide opportunities for people to achieve their own goals.

Councillor Hamilton finished by stating that he was certain that Councillor Smidowicz would embrace the role of Mayor with all the focus and energy and sense of duty that she had applied to all the other roles that she had performed. He reiterated that it was a pleasure to nominate Councillor Smidowicz as Mayor.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Baines stated that Councillor Smidowicz had been asked to be the Mayor of Charnwood a number of times and had previously declined, because she felt that she needed to earn the title. She had done a lot of good work in her ward and in her Cabinet appointment, and so she did feel that now was a good time to undertake the role of Mayor.

Councillor Baines highlighted that Councillor Smidowicz’ theme for the year was ‘can-do’. He talked about  ...  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 Tillotson.

It was proposed by Councillor Baines and seconded by Councillor Miah that this Council tenders to Councillor Jennifer Tillotson 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 Mr John Tillotson for his service as Mayor’s Consort and for the help and support he has provided to the Mayor and for the considerate and committed way in which he has undertaken his role. The Council assures both Councillor Tillotson and Mr Tillotson that they have the best wishes of all its members for their future health and wellbeing.

In proposing the motion, Councillor Baines stated that Councillor Tillotson’s Mayoral year had been a whirlwind and that she had attended 323 events over the year. He said that her hard work as Mayor had left little time for her hobbies, which included sewing, cycling and gardening, as well as participating in the events of the Stage Left Theatre Workshop, of which she was a founding member.

Councillor Baines highlighted that the Mayoral year had not been ordinary. Councillor Tillotson had attended Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee events, which included the Lighting of the Beacon in Queen’s Park, of which this was one of 1,500 Lighting of the Beacon events running across the nation. Also during her Mayoral year, was the sad news of the death of The Queen. As Mayor, she was called upon to leas the mourning of the people of Charnwood and to recognise Her Majesty’s extraordinary service to her people. Councillor Tillotson also read the Proclamation in Queen’s Park announcing the beginning of the reign ok King Charles III, with over 1,000 in attendance.

He described Councillor Tillotson as a ‘theatre buff’ and explained that she had had an extensive background in the arts and leisure sector. She had seen a number of performance at the Town Hall, which she had really enjoyed.

Councillor Tillotson, as Mayor, had attended a number of events at Loughborough University. She had particularly enjoyed the student achievement awards that she had attended twice during her year. She also attended all 18 Graduation Ceremonies for Loughborough University and Loughborough College.

She had the privilege of welcoming the Commonwealth Games Torch Relay to Loughborough and Councillor Baines also spoke of how Councillor Tillotson had attended a charity abseil off the Derby Cathedral, in which he and some friends raised £2,000 for Rainbow’s, which had been the Mayor’s charity cause.

Councillor Baines recalled how Councillor Tillotson had been proud of the support that Charnwood had provided to Ukrainian refugees. She  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To appoint a Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the Council year 2023/24.

In accordance with Council Procedure 9.1 of the Council’s Constitution, Council considered electing a Deputy Mayor for the 2023/24 Council year.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that Councillor Bradshaw MBE be elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the 2023/24 Council year.

Following this, Councillor Bradshaw MBE signed her declaration of acceptance of office and took up her seat next to the Mayor.

No declarations were made.

To confirm the minutes of the Council meeting held on 27th February 2023.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 27th February 2023 were confirmed and signed.

A report of the Chief Executive, enabling the Council to appoint a Leader of the Council for the Council term 2023/24 to 2026/27, is attached.

It was proposed by Councillor Hamilton, seconded by Councillor S Forrest that Councillor Jewel Miah be appointed as Leader of the Council for the Council term 2023/24 to 2026/27.

Councillor Miah stated that if he was to be elected as Leader of the Council, he would be happy to discuss the thoughts and ideas of all members of the Council.

It was requested by Councillors Bokor and Baines, and supported by Councillors Snartt, Brookes and D Taylor that a named vote record be taken on this motion.

For the motion – Councillors Ashcroft, Blackshaw, Bottomley, Bradshaw, Cory-Lowsley, Forde, C Forrest, S Forrest, Goode, A Gray, B Gray, Hamilton, Haynes, Infield, Jadeja, Jones, Lawrence, Lennie, Maynard, Miah, Needham, O’Neill, Palmer, Roberts, N Taylor, Tillotson, Woodward and Worrall.

Against the motion – Councillors Baines, Bokor, Braker, Brookes, Charles, Dent, Fox, Fryer, Hadji-Nikolaou, Harper-Davies, Jackson, Knight, Lowe, Matthews, Monk, Northage, Popley, Rattray, Seaton, Snartt, D Taylor and Westley.

Abstentions – Councillors Campsall and Smidowicz.

RESOLVED that Councillor Jewel Miah be appointed as Leader of the Council for the Council term 2023/24 to 2026/27.

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 Miah informed the Council that the councillors appointed to the Cabinet would be Councillors Miah (Leader of the Council), Hamilton (Deputy Leader of the Council and Public and Private Sector Housing), Ashcroft (Finance, Customer and Support Services, Revenues and Benefits), Jadeja (Planning), Jones (Climate Action, Net Zero, Property and Assets), Tillotson (Economic Development, Regeneration and Town Centres), A Gray (Waste, Open Spaces and Leisure Facilities) and Blackshaw (Communities and Neighbourhoods).

Councillor Bokor informed the Council that the Conservative Group had made the following shadow lead member appointments: Councillor Bokor (Leader of the Conservative Group, Loughborough, Economic Regeneration, Corporate Strategy, Green Spaces), Baines (Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group, Finance and Investments), Harper-Davies (Leisure, Waste and Environmental), Seaton (Planning and Renewable Energy) Rattray (Business Support, Climate Action and Tourism), Charles (Regulator and Community Safety Partnership), D Taylor (Housing), Monk (Housing Support), Brookes (Digital Transformation and Customer Service). 

Councillor Needham informed the Council that the Green Group had made the following Spokesperson appointments: Councillor Needham (Leader of the Green Group, Housing), Infield (Deputy Leader of the Green Group, Planning), Lawrence (Climate and Environment), Woodward (Communities and Equalities), Forde (Finance).

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

A report of the Chief Executive, in respect of the arrangements for considering political balance and making appointments to committees for 2023/24, was submitted (item 8 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 2023/24 Council year (also filed with these minutes).

It was proposed by Councillor Miah, seconded by Councillor Hamilton and RESOLVED

1.    that the political balance arrangements for the 2023/24 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 2023/24 Council year, as follows:

CABINET

SCRUTINY

ScrutinyCommission(7)

To receive announcements from the Mayor (if any).

The Mayor made no announcements.

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

The Chief Executive made no announcements.