Agenda and minutes

To appoint the Mayor for the Municipal Year 2022/23.

Nominations were sought for the position of Mayor. It was proposed by Councillor Denham and seconded by Councillor Udall that Councillor Gregson be nominated for the position. Both Councillor Denham and Councillor Udall spoke in support of the nomination.

The Mayor asked for further nominations. No further nominations were proposed.

On being put to the vote it was agreed and

RESOLVED: That Councillor Gregson be elected Mayor for the Municipal Year 2022/23.

COUNCILLOR GREGSON IN THE CHAIR

The Mayor to announce his/her Consort/Mayoress and present the Consort’s/Mayoress’s badge.

The Mayor informed the Council that his Mayoress would be his partner, Rachel Hall. The Mayor presented her with the Mayoress’s Chain.

To give thanks to the retiring Mayor.

Councillor Mitchell proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor, Councillor Stephen Hodgson, and paid tribute to his work during his year in office on behalf of the Council.

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

The Mayor presented Councillor Stephen Hodgson with the Past Mayor’s badge.

The retiring Mayor to respond.

Councillor Stephen Hodgson thanked the Council and summarised the highlights of his year in office. He also thanked his wife, Councillor Mrs Lucy Hodgson, for her support as Mayoress, his Chaplains, Diane Cooksey and Rosie Moss, and all the Council Officers who had supported him throughout the year, including his Sword Bearer, Frank Southam, who was attending his last meeting prior to retirement.

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

Councillor Stephen Hodgson presented his wife, Councillor Mrs Lucy Hodgson, with the past Mayoress’s badge.

To appoint the Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2022/23.

Nominations were sought for the position of Deputy Mayor. It was proposed by Councillor Stephen and seconded by Councillor Bisset that, due to the nature of the Notices of Motion to be considered at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council scheduled to take place immediately following this meeting, a decision be deferred and taken at the Extraordinary Meeting.

On being put to the vote it was agreed and

RESOLVED: That the Council agree to defer consideration of the election of a Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2022/23 to the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council.

To receive any communications the Mayor may wish to make.

The Mayor to welcome new and re-elected Councillors.

The Mayor to announce the Mayor’s Chaplain, the Mayor’s Charities, the Mayoral Theme for the year and dates of key Civic Events.

Welcome to Newly Elected Members

The Mayor welcomed Councillors Ali, Cockeram, Cookson, Desayrah, Shafaz Ditta and Piotrowski to their first meeting of the Council.

Mayor’s Orator

The Mayor announced that he would be reviving the office of City Orator, and that Mr Ian Craigan will undertake this role.

Mayor’s Charities

The Mayor announced Onside and Severn Arts as his charities for the year.

The Mayoral Theme for the year

The Mayor announced that his theme for the year will be tackling mental health and wellbeing through a culture of creativity, art and music.

Dates of Key Civic Events

The Mayor announced the following dates:

5^th June - The Mayor’s Big Jubilee Lunch

18^th June - 100th Anniversary of the naming of Gheluvelt Park

19^th June - Civic Service

23^rd September - Inaugural Banquet

13^th November - Remembrance Sunday

Tribute to Frank Southam

The Mayor paid tribute to Frank Southam, City Sword Bearer who would be retiring shortly and was attending his last Council meeting. A thank you event will be organised separately and details will follow.

Eric Carnall

The Mayor reported with sadness that Eric Carnall, a former Mace Bearer and Mayor's Officer, had recently passed away, aged 95.

Refreshments

The Mayor invited everyone to join in refreshments in the Lower Hall once the meetings had finished.

To receive any declarations of interest.

None.

Of the meeting held on 29^th March 2022 to be approved and signed by the Mayor.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 29^th March 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

To appoint the Leader of the Council for 2022/23.

The Mayor sought nominations for the position of Leader of the Council. It was proposed by Councillor Stephen and seconded by Councillor Bisset that a decision be deferred and taken at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council scheduled to take place immediately following this meeting.

On being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED: That the Council agree to defer consideration of the election to the position of Leader of the Council to the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council.

To appoint the Deputy Leader of the Council for 2022/23.

The Mayor sought nominations for the position of Deputy Leader of the Council. It was proposed by Councillor Stephen and seconded by Councillor Bisset that a decision be deferred and taken at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council scheduled to take place immediately following this meeting.

On being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED: That the Council agree to defer consideration of the election to the position of Deputy Leader of the Council to the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council.

To note the distribution of seats between the political groups that should be applied for 2022/23.

The Council received the report of the Monitoring Officer seeking Council’s approval of the allocation of seats between the political groups for the Municipal Year 2022/23.

It was proposed by Councillor Bayliss and seconded by Councillor Denham and on being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED: That the Council agree the allocation of seats between political groups for the Municipal Year 2022/23 as set out in Appendix 1 of the minutes.

To consider the recommendations of the Leaders of the Political Groups in respect of:

·         Policy Committees

·         Regulatory Committees

·         Joint Committees

It was proposed by Councillor Stephen and seconded by Councillor Bisset that a decision be deferred and taken at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council scheduled to take place immediately following this meeting.

On being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED: That the Council agree to defer consideration of nominations from Group Leaders for the appointment of Members to Committees and Sub-Committees, and the appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs to those Committees, to the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council.

For Council to note the results of the Election held on 5^th May 2022 of City Councillors for Wards of Worcester City Council.

The Council received the report of the Returning Officer that summarised the results of the City Council Election held on 5^th May 2022.

RESOLVED: That the Council note the result of the City Council Election held on Thursday, 5^th May 2022.

To receive a report on the allowances paid to Councillors in the financial year 2021/22 as required under 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 2021/22.

RESOLVED: That the Council note the allowances paid to Members in the financial year 2021/22.

To note the dates for meetings of the Council until the end of June 2023.

The Council received a schedule of dates for meetings of the Council until June 2023.

RESOLVED: That the Council agree to note the dates for meetings of the Council until the end of June 2023.