Agenda and minutes

Apologies had been received from Councillors Fisher, Lillywhite, Nelson and Wall.

To elect the Mayor (chairman of Council) for the Municipal Year 2014/15

The outgoing Mayor, Councillor Wendy Flynn, took the opportunity to thank all members for their support in her role as Mayor over the past year. She welcomed newly elected Councillors to the meeting and wished the incoming Mayor well in his new role.

Councillor Simon Wheeler was proposed for the office of Mayor by Councillor C Hay and seconded by Councillor Whyborn.

Upon a vote it was unanimously

RESOLVED that Councillor Simon Wheeler be, and is hereby, elected Mayor of the Borough of Cheltenham and Council chairman for the ensuing year.

The Chief Executive invited the Mayor to sign a Declaration of Acceptance of Office of Council chairman for the ensuing municipal year 2014 – 2015. 

Councillor Simon Wheeler took the chair.

To elect the Deputy-Mayor (vice-chairman of Council) for the ensuing Municipal Year 2014/15

Councillor Ryder proposed Councillor Smith for the office of Deputy Mayor, seconded by Councillor Chard.

Upon a vote it was unanimously

RESOLVED that Councillor Duncan Smith be, and is hereby, elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Cheltenham and Council vice-chairman for the ensuing year.

The Chief Executive invited the Deputy Mayor to sign a Declaration of Acceptance of Office of Council vice-chairman for the ensuing municipal year 2014 – 2015. 

There were no declarations of interest

To approve the draft minutes of the meetings held on 31 March 2014 and 9 April 2014.

The minutes of the meeting held on 31 March 2014 were approved and signed as a correct record subject to the following amendment :

Minute 8-Process for approval of the Gloucestershire Strategic Economic Plan (points of clarification):

• the figure of 3200 homes referred to in the document related to the potential development capacity at junction 9 and 10. This number has only been incorporated in the higher end figure for the JCS.

• Longer term there would be discussions on how to fund the proposed infrastructure which could include the use of the New Homes Bonus etc.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 April 2014 were approved and signed as a correct record subject to the following amendment:

• Councillor Suzanne Williams had submitted her dispensation which had been granted by the Standards Committee to participate and vote in the meeting.

The Mayor wished to put on record his thanks to the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Wendy Flynn. He also congratulated those new members and those members who had been re-elected.

He informed members of his nominated charities for the year. The Aston Project works with youngsters locally to improve their life opportunities and the Butterfly Garden which is a project for people of all ages dealing with disablement of any kind. He also informed members that he would be entering the Cheltenham Challenge and would welcome sponsorship.

Councillor Jordan was proposed as the Leader of the Council by Councillor Rawson and seconded by Councillor Thornton.

Upon being put to the vote the proposal was CARRIED, with 1 abstention.

The Mayor invited the Leader to address the meeting.  He thanked colleagues for their support. He also congratulated those newly elected members and members who had been re-elected. He also thanked former Councillors for their contributions to the work of the Council. The Leader then outlined the changes to the Cabinet membership; Councillor Rawson (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member Finance), Councillor McKinlay (Cabinet Member Development and Safety), Councillor R. Hay (Cabinet Member Healthy Lifestyles), Councillor Coleman (Cabinet Member Clean and Green), Councillor Jeffries (Cabinet Member Housing) and Councillor Walklett (Cabinet Member Corporate Services).  There would be minor adjustments to portfolios, which would be published in the coming days.

The Leader finally wished to put on record his thanks to Councillor Roger Whyborn for all his hard work as Cabinet Member Sustainability.

Note: Details of political group nominations to committees will be circulated separately.

a)     Overview and Scrutiny Committee (must be non-Executive members)

b)     Audit Committee

c)      Planning

d)     Licensing

e)     Standards Committee (no substitutes)

f)        Appointments and Remuneration Committee

g)     JNC Disciplinary Committee

h)      JNC Appeals Committee

The appointments to the following Committees were approved in accordance with the nominations contained in the table circulated and now attached to these minutes for information.

a)     Overview and Scrutiny committee

b)     Audit Committee

c)      Planning

d)     Licensing

e)     Standards Committee

f)        Appointments and Remuneration Committee

g)     JNC Disciplinary Committee

h)      JNC Appeals Committee

Note: according to the Constitution the chair shall not be a member of the political group which forms the Cabinet

The nominations for Chair and Vice-Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee were approved in accordance with the nominations contained in the table circulated and now attached to these minutes for information.

To appoint one Councillor and a substitute, both non Executive members.

The Mayor invited nominations to the Gloucestershire County Council Health, Community and Care Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Sudbury nominated Councillor Clucas for representative, with Councillor Flynn nominated as substitute.

Councillor Smith nominated Councillor Hall for representative and as a substitute should she not be elected as representative.

Upon a vote Councillor Clucas was elected representative.  (in favour :23; against:13)

Upon a vote Councillor Flynn was elected substitute. (in favour :23; against:13)

To appoint one Councillor and a substitute, both non Executive members.

This is a new O&S committee which will scrutinise the decisions of the Gloucestershire Economic Growth Committee and review the delivery of the Gloucestershire Strategic Economic Plan.

The Mayor invited nominations to the Gloucestershire Economic Growth Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Jordan nominated Councillor Clucas for representative, with Councillor Whyborn nominated as substitute.

Councillor Smith nominated Councillor Chard for representative and for substitute should he not be elected as representative.

Upon a vote Councillor Clucas was elected representative.  (in favour :23; against:12)

Upon a vote Councillor Whyborn was elected substitute. (in favour :23; against:12)

To appoint one Councillor and a substitute

Note: Whilst this appointment does not have to be a non-Executive member, appointing such a member should avoid a potential conflict of interest and facilitate 2 way feedback with O&S committee (see report to Council 14 May 2012)

The Mayor invited nominations to the Gloucestershire Police and Crime Panel.

Councillor Walklett nominated Councillor McCloskey for representative, with Councillor Murch nominated as substitute.

Councillor Smith nominated Councillor Nelson for representative and for substitute should he not be nominated as representative.

Upon a vote Councillor McCloskey was elected representative.  (in favour :23; against:12)

Upon a vote Councillor Murch was elected substitute. (in favour :23; against:12)

To appoint to the following advisory panels and working groups :

a)     Treasury Management Panel

b)     Constitution Working Group

Councillor Rawson proposed that Councillor Harman continued in his role as Chair of the Treasury Management Panel. This was agreed.

The appointments to the Treasury Management Panel and the Constitution Working group were then approved in accordance with the nominations contained in the table circulated (as amended) and now attached to these minutes for information.

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