Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

To appoint a Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the Council year 2021/22.

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 Councillor Hamilton and seconded by Councillor Taylor that Councillor Baines be elected Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the 2021/22 Council year and until his successor becomes entitled to act as Mayor.

In proposing the motion, Councillor Hamilton referred to Councillor’s Baines’ career in sales before excelling in academia. Following a Management and Chemical Sciences Degree, Councillor Baines embarked on a short career at the Yorkshire Post before returning to academia to gain an MPhil (Management) whilst working as a market researcher part-time. Councillor Baines’ thirst for knowledge continued, leading to a PhD and Lecturing work at Middlesex University. Councillor Hamilton explained that whilst at Middlesex University, Councillor Baines founded and managed a Business Development Unit, focused on developing postgraduate qualifications for public sector managers. 

Councillor Baines’ remarkable achievements continued after moving on to Cranfield University and establishing a Master’s Degree programme in Management and the first MBA apprenticeship programme in the country.

Councillor Hamilton stated that Councillor Baines had authored more than 100 journal articles and conference papers during his academic career, and written more than 24 books, including the number one marketing textbook in the UK.

In addition to his impressive catalogue of work, Councillor Baines had worked as a marketing and research consultant for both governmental and commercial organisations and has acted as a Non-Executive Director for the Business Continuity Institute.

Councillor Hamilton stated that Councillor Baines was now a Professor of Political Marketing at the University of Leicester and also an Associate Dean for External Relations, and his wife, Dr Ning Baines was a Lecturer at De Montfort University in Leicester.

Councillor Hamilton remembered Councillor Baines’ election to Charnwood Borough Council in 2018. Since then, he had been a member of the Scrutiny Commission and Chaired the Commercialisation Scrutiny Panel. Councillor Hamilton stated that the Council was lucky to have a high energy and hard-working Mayor for the year 2021/22.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Taylor described the first time she met Councillor Baines. They had enjoyed a curry together with colleagues from the Bradgate Conservative Branch. Following this meeting, Councillor Baines considered standing as a Charnwood Borough Councillor for Anstey at the upcoming elections in 2019. During the period leading up to this, Councillor Taylor and the soon-to-be Councillor Baines often socialised together. However, the unfortunate death of Councillor John Sutherington in October 2018 meant that a By-Election was held and Councillor Baines stood for election sooner than anticipated. Councillor Taylor had supported Councillor Baines on his campaign trial and celebrated his success when elected in December 2018. Following this, the two had worked very closely together and had become close friends.

Councillor Taylor stated that Councillor Baines had supported her in areas such as report writing and that she had improved as a Councillor thanks to the help of Councillor Baines. Not only had she benefitted from Councillor Baines’  ...  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 David Snartt. It was proposed by Councillor Hamilton and seconded by Councillor Taylor that this Council tenders to Councillor Snartt 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 Snartt and Mrs Joan Snartt for the way in which they had represented the Borough through their Mayoral term. He stated that the term had been unusual due to the Pandemic and that Councillor Snartt and Mrs Snartt had still managed to fulfil their roles as Mayor and Mayoress, making about 80 visits in total, socially distanced or virtual. Councillor Hamilton highlighted that Councillor Snartt would be the first virtual Mayor of Charnwood Borough Council and that he had been very successful in adapting to new technology to ensure the orderly conduct of Council meetings.

Some of the highlights for Councillor Snartt in his unusual Mayoral year included meeting Olympic Athletes at Loughborough University, meeting international students unable to travel home during the pandemic and visiting the Community Hub  at John Storer House where he helped to load boxes for people in need. Councillor Snartt found this to be heartening and commended the work of the Council staff.

Councillor Hamilton spoke about the video that Councillor Snartt had recorded for the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day and went on to describe how he had unveiled new VJ and VE benches in the Borough as well as Councillor Snartt’s attendance at a smaller scale Remembrance Service.

As Mayor, Councillor Snartt also had the unfortunate duty of marking the passing of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Taylor stated that the Council recorded its gratitude to Councillor Snartt for the manner in which he had maintained the position of the Mayoralty and the work that he had done in the community and running virtual events during the pandemic.

Councillor Taylor stated that she had known Councillor Snartt for ten years and highlighted the respect that he held not only within Charnwood, but across the County of Leicestershire and that this respect had been earned by his conduct and hard work.

Councillor Taylor stated that Councillor Snartt was very sociable in ordinary times and that his warmth and radiance were unique. She was impressed by Councillor Snartt’s ability to adapt to the virtual world and provide comfort to so many despite the circumstances.

Councillor Taylor spoke about Councillor Snartt’s visits to residents’ homes in order to present Community Hero certificates and that this had made many residents’ year having the Mayor on their doorstep.

Councillor Taylor also referred to the work of Mrs Joan Snartt as Mayoress, the support she had provided to the Mayor and the considerate and committed way in which she had undertaken her role.

Finally,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To appoint a Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the Council year 2021/22.

In accordance with Council Procedure 9.1 of the Council’s Constitution, Council considered electing a Deputy Mayor for the 2021/22 Council year. It was proposed by Councillor Morgan seconded by Councillor Miah and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that Councillor Jennifer Tillotson be elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Charnwood for the 2021/22 Council year. Following this, Councillor Tillotson signed her declaration of acceptance of office and took up her seat next to the Mayor.

No disclosures of personal or pecuniary interest were made.

To confirm the minutes of the Council meeting held on 26th April 2021.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 26th April 2021 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 2021/22, 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 2021/22 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 2021/22 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 2021/22 Council year as set out in the appendix to this supplementary report, and that the composition of the Loughborough Area 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 Bolton, Radford 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 nongrouped 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 Page 2 Agenda Item 7. information regarding the composition of the Loughborough Area Committee.

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

4. To make appointments to the Board for 2021/22.

To receive announcements as follows:

To receive announcements from the Mayor (if any).

The Mayor made the following announcement:

‘I can announce that the charity appeal for my Mayoral Year will contribute towards Living without Abuse (LWA), the domestic abuse charity based here in Loughborough, and Marie Curie, the national with a strong Leicestershire presence, providing care and support for people with terminal illness.’

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

The Chief Executive had no announcements to make.