Agenda and minutes

At the request of the Chairman, the Very Reverend Derek Taylor opened the meeting with a prayer. The Chairman requested that thanks be conveyed to the other members of the clergy who had attended meetings of the Council during the course of the Municipal Year. 

(Following election, the Chairman will make a Declaration of Acceptance of Office, will be invested with the Badge and Chain of Office, and will take the Chair)

It was proposed by Councillor R. Hollingworth and seconded by Councillor Mrs. R. L. Dent and

RESOLVED that Councillor Mrs. J. M. L. A. Griffiths be elected Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.

Councillor Mrs. J. M. L. A. Griffiths, having signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, and having been invested by Councillor C. R. Scurrell with the Chairman's Badge of Office, then took the Chair and thanked Members of the Council for electing her to the office of Chairman.

Councillor C. R. Scurrell, having been presented by Councillor Mrs. J. M. L. A. Griffiths with a Past Chairman's Badge and Ribbon, then concluded his year of office. It was then proposed by the Chairman and

RESOLVED that the thanks of the Council be tendered to Councillor C. R. Scurrell for the services rendered to the Council and to the District during his term of office as Chairman of the Council.

(Following election, the Vice-Chairman will make a Declaration of Acceptance of Office and will be invested with the Badge and Chain of Office)

It was proposed by Councillor Mrs. J. Dyer M.B.E. and seconded by Councillor Mrs. J. M. Boswell and

RESOLVED that Councillor Miss D. H. Campbell JP be elected Vice-Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.

Councillor Miss D. H. Campbell JP, having signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, and having been invested by Councillor Mrs. J. M. L. A. Griffiths with the Vice-Chairman’s Badge of Office, thanked Members of the Council for appointing her to the office of Vice-Chairman.

It was proposed by Councillor G. N. Denaro and seconded by Councillor E. C. Tibby and

RESOLVED that Councillor R. Hollingworth be elected Leader of the Council for the ensuing year.

Having been re-elected as Leader, Councillor R. Hollingworth thanked Members of the Council for their support.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. M. Bunker, B. Lewis F.CMI, Mrs. J. D. Luck and W. R. Newnes.

The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 21st April 2010 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes be approved as a correct record.

(Members are reminded that they need to keep their register of interest forms up to date)

No declarations of interest were received.

(a)                     The Chairman informed Members that the Chairman’s Charity for the forthcoming year would be Help for Heroes.

(b)                     The Chairman announced that the Civic Service would take place on Sunday 13th June 2010, to which Members would be invited.

To consider the report of the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services

Having been proposed by Councillor G. N. Denaro and seconded by Councillor R. hollingworth, it was

RESOLVED:

(a)    that for the ensuing Municipal Year, the Committees set out in the table in Appendix 1 to the report be appointed and that the representation of the different political groups on the Council on those Committees be as set out in that table until the next Annual Meeting of the Council, or until the next review of political representation under Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, whichever is the earlier;

(b)    that Members be appointed to the Committees in accordance with nominations to be made by Party Group Leaders or Co-ordinators.

To consider the report of the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services

Having been proposed by Councillor G. N. Denaro and seconded by Councillor R. Hollingworth, it was

RESOLVED that the membership of the Standards Committee be increased from 8 to 9, the additional member being an elected Member; the Committee therefore to comprise:

·        4 elected Members, being 2 Members of the controlling political group and 2 Members who are not members of the controlling political group;

·        3 Independent Members (non-elected persons);

·        2 Parish Representatives

To consider the report of the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services

Having been proposed by Councillor G. N. Denaro and seconded by Councillor R. Hollingworth, it was

RESOLVED that the current version of the Scheme of Delegations as set out at Appendix 1 to the report insofar as it relates to functions delegated by the Council be approved.

To approve the extension of existing appointments to outside bodies pending consideration of a report at the next meeting of the full Council to be held on 30th June 2010

Having been proposed by Councillor R. Hollingworth and seconded by Councillor G. N. Denaro it was

RESOLVED   that approval be given to the extension of existing appointments to outside bodies pending consideration of a report at the next meeting of the full Council on 23rd June 2010.

The Leader announced that the following Members would serve on the Cabinet for the ensuing Municipal Year:

Councillor G. N. Denaro                         Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Resources

Councillor M. J. A. Webb                       Portfolio Holder for Community Services

Councillor Mrs. J. Dyer M.B.E.              Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration

Councillor Dr. D. W. P. Booth JP          Portfolio Holder for Business Transformation with special responsibility for the Town Centre Regeneration

Councillor P. J. Whittaker                       Portfolio Holder for Regulatory Services and Affordable Housing

Councillor Mrs. M. A. Sherrey JP          Portfolio Holder for Older People, the Young and Vulnerable People

Councillor R. D. Smith                            Portfolio Holder for Community Cohesion and Engagement

To consider the recommendations from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 28th April 2010 on the following items (the full Cabinet reports are enclosed for information at the back of the Council agenda book)

• Overarching Framework Agreement
• Economic Regeneration & Development in North Worcestershire

The Chairman announced that consideration of the recommendations from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 28th April 2010 in relation to the Overarching Framework Agreement and Economic Regeneration and Development in North Worcestershire would be deferred to the next meeting of the full Council on 23rd June 2010.

To receive, for information, a summary of Members’ attendances at Council and Committee meetings during 2009/10

A summary of Members’ attendances at Council and Committee meetings during 2009/10 was submitted for information.