Agenda and minutes

To appoint the Mayor for the Municipal Year 2015/16.

Nominations were sought for the position of Mayor. It was proposed by Councillor Rowden and seconded by Councillor Johnson that Councillor Roger Knight be nominated for the position of Mayor.

The Mayor asked for any further nominations, no further nominations were proposed.

On being put to the vote it was unanimously agreed and

RESOLVED:          That Councillor Roger Knight be elected Mayor for the Municipal Year 2015/16.

COUNCILLOR KNIGHT IN THE CHAIR

The Mayor to announce his/her Consort/Mayoress.

The Mayor informed the Council that his Mayoress would be Mrs Freda Knight. The Mayor presented her with the Mayoress’s Chain.

To give thanks to the retiring Mayor.

Councillor Roberts proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor, Councillor Amos and on behalf of the Council. Councillor Roberts formally thanked the retiring Mayor for his year in office.

The new Mayor to present the retiring Mayor with the Past Mayor’s Badge.

The Mayor presented Councillor Amos with the Past Mayor’s Badge.

The retiring Mayor to respond.

Councillor Amos thanked the Council and summarised his year in office. Councillor Amos gave thanks to Councillors and Officers who had supported him throughout his year in office.  He also thanked the Past Mayoress, Mrs Sue Amos and his Chaplain, the Reverend Dr Christopher Stuart.

The new Mayor to present the retiring Mayoress with the Past Mayoress’s Badge.

Councillor Amos and the Mayor called on the Past Mayoress, Mrs Sue Amos, to step forward to receive the Past Mayoress’s Badge.

To appoint the Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2015/16.

Nominations were sought for the position of Deputy Mayor. It was proposed by Councillor Lynn Denham and seconded by Councillor Gregson that Councillor Riaz be nominated for the position of Deputy Mayor.

The Mayor asked for any further nominations. It was then proposed by Councillor Bayliss and seconded by Councillor Lacey that Councillor Whitehouse be nominated for the position of Deputy Mayor.

On being put to the vote it was agreed and

RESOLVED: That Councillor Whitehouse be nominated for the position of Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2015/16.

On then being put to the vote it was agreed and

RESOLVED: That Councillor Whitehouse be elected Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2015/16.

To receive any declarations of interest.

None.

Of the meeting held on 31^st March 2015 to be approved and signed by the Mayor.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings held on 31st March 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

To receive any communications the Mayor may wish to make.

Tribute to Duncan Sharkey – Managing Director

On behalf of the Councilthe Mayor gave thanks to Duncan Sharkey, Managing Director for his hard work and commitment to the City of Worcester. The Mayor informed the Council that this was Mr Sharkey’s last Council Meeting prior to him taking up his new position as Corporate Director, Place at Milton Keynes Council.

Additional Council Meeting

The Mayor announced that there would be an additional Council Meeting in June to confirm the appointment of Managing Director. The date was to be confirmed.

Frank Southam – Sword Bearer

The Mayor gave thanks to Frank Southam, Sword Bearer who had reached his 25 year anniversary of carrying out the duty of Sword Bearer to the Mayor.

Welcome to New Councillors

The Mayor welcomednew Councillors, Councillor Stafford and Councillor Feeney, who had been elected and congratulated those Councillors who had been re-elected on 7^th May 2015.

Mayor’s Consort

The Mayor announced that his Mayoress would be his wife, Mrs Freda Knight.         

Mayor’s Chaplain

The Mayor announced that his chaplain would be Father Brian McGinley, St George's Parish Priest.

Mayor’s Sunday/ Civic Service

The Mayor announced that the Civic Service would take place on 14th June 2015 at 4.00pm later than normal this year to fit in with Magna Carta events. Afternoon tea would be served at the Guildhall from 2.30pm.

Mayor’s Inaugural Banquet

The Mayor announced that his Inaugural Banquet would be on  Friday 17th July.

Mayor’s Charities

The Mayor announced that his charities would beSight Concern, Daisychain and Acorns. The Mayor also stated that attendance at Mayoral charity events had been diminishing over recent years, and asked for Council’s support both in attending these very worthwhile events and in encouraging others to also attend.

Mayor’s Theme for the Year

The Mayor announced that he planned to base his year on an environmental theme, which he had entitled "Seeding a Greener Future".  The Mayor stated that he believed it was important to use the opportunity of being elected Mayor to create an environment that would deliver a beneficial legacy for the City that will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.

To receive the report of the Returning Officer on the election of City Councillors on 7^th May 2015.

The Council received the report of the Returning Officer that summarised the results of the City Council Elections held on 7^th May 2015.

RESOLVED: That the Council note the results of the City Council Elections held on 7^th May 2015.

To receive any Notices of Motion relating to the leadership of the Council (if any).

None.

For the Council to agree the allocation of seats between political groups for the Municipal Year 2015/16.

The Council received the report of the Managing Director seeking Council’s approval of the allocation of seats between the political groups for the Municipal Year 2015/16.

Councillor Laurenson expressed a preference to be appointed to the Performance Management and Budget Scrutiny Committee as opposed to the Audit Committee as indentified in appendix 1 of the report. The Managing Director responded by informing the Council that Group Leaders had previously agreed that Councillor Laurenson be appointed to Audit Committee. 

RESOLVED: That the Council agree the allocation of seats between political groups for the Municipal Year 2015/16 as set out in Appendix 1 of the minutes.

To note Members of the Cabinet and the allocation of responsibility for 2015/16 as set out in Schedule 1. (Schedule to follow)

The Leader of the Council informed the Council on the allocation of Cabinet positions as follows:

To consider the recommendations of the Leaders of the Political Groups as set out in Schedule 2.

The Council received details of nominations from Group Leaders for the appointment of Members to Overview and Scrutiny Committees.  The Council also considered the appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen to those Committees.

RESOLVED: That the Council approve the appointment of Members to Overview and Scrutiny Committees and appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen as set out in Appendix 2 of the minutes.

To consider the recommendations of the Leaders of the Political Groups as set out in Schedule 3. (Schedule to follow)

The Council received details of nominations from Group Leaders for the appointment of Members to Regulatory Committees and Other Committees. The Council also considered the appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen to those Committees.

RESOLVED: That the Council approve the appointment of Members to Regulatory Committees and Other Committees and appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen as set out in Appendix 2 of the minutes.

To receive a report on the allowances made to Councillors in the financial year 2014/15 as required by the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) Regulations 2003.

In accordance with the Local Authority (Members’ Allowances) Regulations, the Council received a report on allowances paid to Members in the financial year 2014/15.

RESOLVED: That the Council note the allowances paid to Members in the financial year 2014/15.

To note the following dates for meetings of the Council until end of May 2016:-

2015

Tuesday 7^th July

Thursday 1^st October

Tuesday 17^th November

2016

Tuesday 23^rd February

Tuesday 5^th April

Tuesday 17^th May

The Council received the dates for Council meetings for 2015/16.

RESOLVED: That the Council note the following dates for Council meetings to May 2016:

Tuesday, 7^h July 2015

Thursday, 1^st October 2015

Tuesday, 17^th November 2015

Tuesday 23^rd February 2016

Tuesday, 5^th April 2016

Tuesday, 17^th May 2016