Agenda and minutes

Father P Maddison, Parish Priest of the Church of the Sacred Heart, St Ives opened the meeting with prayer.  Having advised the Council that he would shortly be leaving his parish after nine years at the Church of the Sacred Heart in St Ives, Father Maddison thanked Members and Officers of the District Council for their support during his ministry.

(a)  The Chairman welcomed Members to the first meeting of the Council in the new Civic Suite and reminded them of the availability for use of an improved Members’ lounge on the first floor of the building.

(b)  Council Membership

  The Chairman congratulated those Members of the Council who had been returned for a further term of office at the District Council elections held on 6th May 2010 and extended a warm welcome to the following newly elected Members –

  S Cawley  -  Huntingdon West Ward

  B S Chapman  -  St NeotsPriory Park Ward

  S Greenall  -  Huntingdon East Ward

  N J Guyatt  -  Elton and Folksworth Ward

  S M van de Kerkhove  -  St Neots Eynesbury Ward.

  D M Tysoe  -  Sawtry Ward

  A tribute also was paid to former Member, Mr R W J Eaton who had stood unsuccessfully for re-election.

(c)  Councillor M F Newman

  The Chairman announced that Councillor M F Newman had completed 40 years continuous service and 47 years in total as a District Councillor for Huntingdonshire and its predecessor, St Ives Rural District Council.  Following personal tributes to Councillor Newman by Councillors S J Criswell and P L E Bucknell, the Chairman presented a framed certificate to Councillor Newman in recognition of his long service and dedication to the work of the District Council.

  Councillor Newman thanked his colleagues, officers and his wife for their support and indicated that it had been privilege to serve the Council and the community during this time.  He commented that the experience had enriched his life and enabled him to engage with many people from different walks of life. 

To elect the Chairman of the Council for the ensuing Municipal Year.

It was proposed by Councillor J D Ablewhite, seconded by Councillor R J West and

RESOLVED

  that Councillor J J Dutton be elected Chairman of the Council for the ensuing Municipal Year.

Councillor Dutton made the Statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office, thanked those Members who had proposed and seconded his candidacy and expressed his pleasure in becoming Chairman of the District Council.  Councillor Dutton paid tribute to those eminent characters who he had succeeded in the post and indicated his intention to promote the profile of the Council in the region by visiting local groups.  He stated that he had chosen as his charities for the forthcoming year the St John Ambulance Huntingdonshire, East Anglian Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre in Huntingdon, the Alzheimer’s Society and Parkinson’s UK.  Councillor Dutton further announced that he had decided to appoint a Chairman’s Cadet from St John Ambulance to support him on Council civic engagements and help raise the profile of that organisation.

Councillor J J Dutton in the Chair.

The Chairman paid tribute to the exemplary way in which Councillor J W Davies had performed his duties as Chairman of the District Council and the high regard in which he was held by civic leaders across the region.  He applauded Councillor Davies’ sense of humour and the impartial manner in which he had conducted meetings of the Council and expressed appreciation for the advice and support offered to him during the two years he had acted as Vice-Chairman.  As Chairman of the Opposition, Councillor P J Downes, added his appreciation for the manner in which Councillor Davies had conducted the Council’s business during his term of office.

In response, Councillor Davies remarked that it had been a privilege to represent an excellent authority and would miss his involvement in civic duties. He thanked his former Vice-Chairman, the Chief Executive, the Head of Democratic and Central Services and his Personal Assistant for their support during his term of office.

RESOLVED

  that the Council’s appreciation to Councillor J W Davies be placed on record as Chairman during the last two years.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 21st April 2010.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 21st April 2010 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members declarations as to personal and/or prejudicial interests and the nature of those interests in relation to any Agenda Item.  Please see Notes 1 and 2 below.

None were received.

To appoint the Vice-Chairman of the Council for the ensuing Municipal Year.

It was proposed by Councillor P A Swales and seconded by Councillor A Hansard that Councillor Mrs B E Boddington be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council.  Councillor P J Downes proposed and it was seconded by Councillor M F Shellens that Councillor M G Baker be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council.  Having been put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED

  that Councillor Mrs B E Boddington be appointed Vice-Chairman of the District Council for the ensuing Municipal Year.

Councillor Mrs Boddington made the Statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office and expressed her appreciation to Members for their confidence in her and for the honour which had been conferred.

To elect the Leader of the Council for the ensuing Municipal Year.

It was proposed by Councillor J A Gray, seconded by Councillor Mrs B E Boddington and

RESOLVED

  that Councillor I C Bates be elected Leader of the Council for the ensuing Municipal Year.

The Leader to announce the names of -

(a)  a maximum of eight Councillors who shall be Members of the Council; and

(b)  Deputy Leader who shall be a Member of the Cabinet.

The Leader announced that he had appointed Councillors K J Churchill, D B Dew, J A Gray, A Hansard, C R Hyams, Mrs D C Reynolds, T V Rogers and L M Simpson to join him as Members of the Cabinet for the ensuing Municipal Year.  He also announced that Councillor L M Simpson would be Deputy Leader and Vice-Chairman of the Cabinet.

To receive a report by the Returning Officer on the persons elected to the Office of District Councillor on 6th May 2010.

The report of the Returning Officer with regard to the District Council elections held on 6th May 2010 was received and noted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book).

The Returning Officer extended his appreciation to candidates and their agents for their co-operation and courtesy during the elections and paid tribute to the Elections Team for the efficient manner in which they had conducted the elections.  Following compliments from the Leader of the Council, the Returning Officer undertook to convey the Council’s appreciation to those who had been engaged in election duties over the period.

To consider a report by the Head of Democratic and Central Services on the representation of political groups on Panels, etc in accordance with Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the District Council’s Constitution.

A report was submitted by the Head of Democratic and Central Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) relating to the principles of proportionality to be applied to the appointment of Panels in accordance with Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and Part II of the Local Government Act 2000.

Whereupon it was

RESOLVED

  that the allocation of seats on Panels to political groups and non-aligned Members be determined as set out in the report now submitted.

RESOLVED

  that the following Members be appointed to the Overview and Scrutiny Panels for the ensuing Municipal Year:- 

To appoint Members to the following Committees and Panels –

RESOLVED

(a)  that the Elections Panel be not re-appointed;

(b)  that Members be appointed to serve on the Standards and Licensing Committees and Employment, Development Management, Licensing and Protection, Corporate Governance and Appointments Panels for the ensuing Municipal Year as follows:-

Standards Committee (7)

Councillors J D Ablewhite, Mrs B E Boddington, P J Downes, R S Farrer, A Hansard, T D Sanderson and G S E Thorpe;

Licensing Committee (12)

Councillors K M Baker, J T Bell, J J Dutton, R S Farrer, N J Guyatt, Mrs P A Jordan, S M van de Kerkhove, A Monk, T D Sanderson, Mrs P E Shrapnel and J S Watt and one Member of the Cabinet in an ex-officio capacity with appropriate portfolio responsibilities;

Employment Panel (8)

Councillors B S Chapman, J W Davies, R S Farrer, Mrs P A Jordan, T V Rogers, Mrs P E Shrapnel and P A Swales and one Member of the Cabinet in an ex-officio capacity with appropriate portfolio responsibilities;

Development Management Panel (16)

Councillors J D Ablewhite, Mrs M Banerjee, Mrs B E Boddington, E R Butler, W T Clough, J J Dutton, P G Mitchell, P D Reeve, C J Stephens, P A Swales, G S E Thorpe, R G Tuplin, P K Ursell, P R Ward and R J West and one Member of the Cabinet in an ex-officio capacity with appropriate portfolio responsibilities;

Licensing and Protection Panel (12)

Councillors K M Baker, J T Bell, J J Dutton, R S Farrer, N J Guyatt, Mrs P A Jordan, S M van de Kerkhove, A Monk, T D Sanderson, Mrs P E Shrapnel and J S Watt and one Member of the Cabinet in an ex-officio capacity with appropriate portfolio responsibilities;

Corporate Governance Panel (7)

Councillors M G Baker, P L E Bucknell, K J Churchill, S J Criswell, T V Rogers, T D Sanderson and C M Saunderson; and

Appointments Panel

Councillors M G Baker, J W Davies, L M Simpson, P A Swales together with the relevant Executive Councillor in relation to the post to be filled.

(c)  that the following Members be nominated from which the Director of Central Services be authorised, when necessary, to convene a meeting of the Appeals Sub-Committee to include up to five Members (excluding Members of the Employment Panel) to determine appeals under the Council’s Disciplinary and Appeals procedures –

Councillors J T Bell, J W Davies, P J Downes, C R Hyams, P G Mitchell, M F Newman, Mrs D C Reynolds, T V Rogers, G S E Thorpe, R G Tuplin and J S Watts.

The Chief Executive to report on absences of Members from meetings.

The Chief Executive reported that there were no absences of Members from meetings for consideration in accordance with Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972.

The meeting concluded at 6.45 pm.