Agenda and minutes

To appoint the Mayor for the Municipal Year 2024/25.

Nominations were sought for the position of Mayor. It was proposed by Councillor Lawrance and seconded by Councillor Murray that Councillor Allcott be nominated for the position. Both Councillor Lawrance and Councillor Murray 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 Allcott be elected Mayor for the Municipal Year 2024/25.

COUNCILLOR ALLCOTT 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 her main Consort will be her partner, Andrew Lee, who will be assisted by Mike Mullins and Stuart Wild. The Mayor presented Andrew Lee with the Consort’s Badge.

To give thanks to the retiring Mayor.

Councillor Lewing proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor, Councillor Stephen. She 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 with the Past Mayor’s badge.

The retiring Mayor to respond.

Councillor Stephen thanked the Council and summarised the highlights of his year in office. He also thanked the many people who had supported him during his year. He paid particular tribute to Gill Preece, Civic Services Administrator, who had played a significant role in co-ordinating and delivering civic events throughout his Mayoral Year.

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

Councillor Stephen presented his wife, Katey Stephen, with the past Mayoress’s badge.

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 newly-elected Councillors Barnes, Hussain, Kimberley,  Kinnersley, Mace, Rudge, Sobczyk and Scott.

Tribute to Past Councillors

The Mayor thanked former Councillors Cleary, Hodgson and Stanley for their past service to the Council.

Mayor’s Chaplain

The Mayor informed the Council that she will invite Chaplains from different religions, and also a non-religious person, to address each Council meeting.

Mayor’s Charities

The Mayor announced Perdiswell Young People’s Leisure Centre as her charity for the year.

Mayoral Theme for the Year

The Mayor announced that her theme for the year will be “Youth Matters.”

Dates of Key Civic Events

The Mayor announced that her Civic Service will take place on 23^rd June 2024 and the Inaugural Banquet will be on 27^th September 2024.

Refreshments

The Mayor invited everyone to join her for refreshments in the Mayor’s Parlour at the end of the meeting.

To appoint the Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2024/25.

The Council proceeded to consider the appointment of the Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2024/25.

It was proposed by Councillor Norfolk and seconded by Councillor Agar that Councillor Lamb be nominated for the position of Deputy Mayor. Both Councillor Norfolk and Councillor spoke in support of the nomination.

There were no further nominations. On being put to the vote it was agreed and

RESOLVED: That Councillor Lamb be elected as Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2024/25.

To receive any declarations of interest.

None.

Of the meeting held on 26^th March 2024 to be approved and signed by the Mayor.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 26^th March 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

To appoint the Leader(s) of the Council for 2024/25.

It was proposed by Councillor Denham and seconded by Councillor Riaz that this item and the two subsequent items be deferred to the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council scheduled to take place immediately following this meeting, after consideration of the Notice of Motion on the agenda for the Extraordinary Meeting. Upon being put to the vote, the Council agreed to defer these three items.

To note the distribution of seats between the political groups that should be applied for 2024/25.

(Report to follow)

This item was deferred to the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council scheduled to take place immediately following this meeting.

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

·        Policy Committees

·        Regulatory Committees

·        Joint Committees

·        Outside Bodies

This item was deferred to the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council scheduled to take place immediately following this meeting.

For Council to note the results of the Election held on 2^nd May 2024 of City Councillors for wards of Worcester City Council.

(Report to follow)

The Council received the report of the Returning Officer that summarised the results of the City Council Election held on Thursday, 2^nd May 2024.

RESOLVED: That the Council note the results of the City Council Election held on 2^nd May 2024.

To receive a report on the allowances paid to Councillors in the financial year 2023/24 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 2023/24.

RESOLVED: That the Council note the allowances paid to Members in the financial year 2023/24.

To note the dates for meetings of the Council until July 2025.

The Council received a schedule of dates for meetings of the Council until July 2025.

RESOLVED: That the Council agree to note the dates for meetings of the Council until the end of July 2025.