Agenda and minutes

The Venerable Hugh McCurdy, Archdeacon of Huntingdon and Wisbech opened the meeting with Prayer.

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 P L E Bucknell be elected Chairman of the Council for the ensuing Municipal Year.

Councillor Bucknell made the Statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office and thanked Members for their support and the honour which the Council had bestowed upon him.  Councillor Bucknell underlined his commitment to the community and his willingness to give help and assist as best as he could from his office as Chairman.

Councillor Bucknell in the Chair.

The Chairman paid tribute to the way in which former Councillor Mackender-Lawrence had performed his duties as Chairman of the District Council and had unfortunately not served a second year of office due to his unsuccessful re-election in the recent elections. Having proposed a vote of thanks to him in his absence, the Chairman undertook to present former Councillor Mackender-Lawrence with his past Chairman’s badge.  Having wished the new Chairman every success in his new role, the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite paid tribute to the devoted service that former Councillor Mackender-Lawrence had given as Chairman and the way that he had represented the Council.

As Leader of the Principal Opposition, Councillor K J Churchill concurred with the sentiments of Councillor Ablewhite and paid tribute to the way in which former Councillor Mackender-Lawrence had represented the authority, referring to the ruthless election process, and that he wished him well for the future.

In offering her best wishes to him for the future, Councillor Mrs S Conboy, as Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group concluded by extending her gratitude to former Councillor Mackender-Lawrence commending him on how well he had made her and fellow new Members welcome on the Council.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 29th April 2015.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 29th April 2015 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman presented to Council an account of the activities both he and the past Chairman, former Councillor Mackender-Lawrence, had attended since the last meeting of the Council.

The Chairman summarised their attendance at the Huntingdon Business Fair, RAF Alconbury, Mayor Making Ceremonies at St Ives and Higham Ferrars and laying of a wreath at Madingley Cemetery as part of their Remembrance Service. In referring to forthcoming events, in particular an Armed Forced Day on 25th June 2015, the Chairman made a plea for a bugler at this event and Councillor Mrs B E Boddington indicted that she may be able to assist.  

To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable or other interests in relation to any Agenda Item. See Notes below.

No interests were declared by the Members present.

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

It was proposed by Councillor J W Davies, seconded by Councillor Mrs B E Boddington and

RESOLVED

  that Councillor R J West be appointed Vice-Chairman of the District Council for the ensuing Municipal Year.

Councillor West made the Statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office and expressed his appreciation to his proposer, Councillor Davies for his kind words and expressed his wish to support the Chairman and represent Huntingdonshire to the best of his ability.

To receive a report by the Returning Officer on the persons elected to the Office of District Councillor on 7th May 2015.

The report of the Returning Officer with regard to the District Council elections held on 7th May 2015 was received and noted (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book).

The Returning Officer extended her particular appreciation to the contribution made by all staff employed during the day, at the count that evening and the following day where over 225K ballot papers had been counted.

Councillor Ms L A Duffy referred to positive feedback that she had received during polling day with regard to the organisation and commended the smooth running of the count process overall.

The Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite extended his appreciation to the Returning Officer, Mrs L Jablonska, Elections and Democratic Services Manager and the Elections Team for their hard work and efforts with the particularly challenging election to ensure that the process ran smoothly.

Councillor K Churchill concurred with the Executive Leader and Councillor Ms L A Duffy’s sentiments and congratulated the staff involved with the difficult election process.

The Chairman concluded the discussion by welcoming the newly elected Members of the Council, congratulated the returning Members who were successful in their re-election and conveyed his appreciation of those Members who did not seek re-election or were not re-elected.

The Executive Leader to announce the names of a maximum of eight Councillors who shall be Members of the Cabinet.

In accordance with the Procedure Rules contained in the Council’s Constitution the Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite presented details of the Cabinet Portfolios for as listed to join him as Members of the Cabinet for the ensuing Municipal Year. 

Councillor J D Ablewhite  –   Strategic and Delivery Partnerships

Councillor R S Carter   –   Operations and Environment

Councillor S Cawley  –   Organisational Change and Development

Councillor D B Dew  –   Strategic Planning and Housing

Councillor J A Gray   –   Resources

Councillor R Harrison   –   Strategic Economic Development and Legal

Councillor R B Howe   –   Commercial Activities

Councillor D M Tysoe   –   Customer Services

The Leader also paid tribute to Councillors B S Chapman and T D Sanderson for their contributions that they had made whilst serving on the Cabinet.

RESOLVED

  that, in addition to the Leader and Deputy Leader, Councillors R Carter, S Cawley, D B Dew, J A Gray, R Harrison and D M Tysoe be appointed as Members of the Cabinet for the ensuing year.

To consider a report by the Elections and Democratic Services Manager 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 Elections and Democratic Services Manager (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.

(i)  Overview and Scrutiny Panel  -  12 Members

(Economic Well-Being)

(ii)  Overview and Scrutiny Panel  -  12 Members

(Environmental Well-Being)

(iii)  Overview and Scrutiny Panel  -  12 Members

(Social Well-Being)

RESOLVED

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

(i)  Corporate Governance Panel  -  8 Members

(ii)  Development Management  -  16 Members

(to include 1 Member of the Cabinet in an ex-officio capacity with appropriate executive responsibility)

(iii)  Employment Panel  -  8  “

(iv)  Licensing and Protection Panel  -  12  “

(v)  Licensing Committee  -  12  “

(vi)  Senior Officers Panel  -  5 Members

(to comprise the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Employment Panel, Deputy Leader, relevant Executive Councillor and Leader of the majority opposition party [or their respective nominees])

(vii)  Standards Committee  -  8 Members

(plus 2 co-opted Parish Council representatives)

(viii)  Appeals Sub-Group  -  15 Members

(a pool of Members from the Corporate Team Manager is authorised to convene a meeting of the Appeals Sub Committee comprising up to 5 members [excluding Members of the Employment Panel to determine appeals under the Council’s disciplinary and appeals procedures).

RESOLVED

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

  Corporate Governance Panel (8)

  Councillors T D Alban, E R Butler, B S Chapman, K J Churchill, M Francis, Mrs P A Jordan, Mrs D C Reynolds and R J West.

  Development Management Panel (16)

  Councillors Mrs B E Boddington, P L E Bucknell, G J Bull, E R Butler, Mrs A Curtis, D B Dew, Mrs A Dickinson, Ms L A Duffy, R S Farrer, I D Gardener, Mrs L Kadic, J P Morris, J M Palmer, P D Reeve, R G Tuplin and R J West (including one Member of the Cabinet in an ex officio capacity with appropriate portfolio responsibilities).

  Employment Panel (8)

  Councillors J D Ablewhite, S Cawley, Mrs A Curtis, J W Davies, Ms L Duffy, T Hayward, R J West and J E White (including one member of the Cabinet in an ex officio capacity with appropriate portfolio responsibilities).

  Licensing and Protection Panel (12)

  Councillors K M Baker, D Brown, Mrs S Conboy, J W Davies, R Fuller, R Harrison, R S Farrer, Mrs L Kadic, D J Mead, S M Van De Kerkhove, P D Reeve and R J West (including one Member of the Cabinet in an ex-officio capacity with appropriate portfolio responsibilities).

  Licensing Committee (12)

  Councillors K M Baker, D Brown, Mrs S Conboy, J W Davies, R Fuller, R Harrison, R S Farrer, Mrs L Kadic, D J Mead, S M Van De Kerkhove, P D Reeve and R J West (including one Member of the Cabinet in an ex-officio capacity with appropriate portfolio responsibilities).

  Senior Officers’ Panel (4+1)

  Councillors Mrs A Curtis, K J Churchill, J W Davies and R B Howe together with the relevant Executive Councillor in relation to the post(s) under consideration.

  Standards Committee (8)

  Councillors K M Baker, Mrs B E Boddington, Ms L A Duffy, D A Giles, A Hansard, R Harrison, M F Shellens and J E White.

  (b)  that the following Members be nominated from which the Corporate Team Manager be authorised, when necessary, to convene a meeting of the Appeals Sub-Group to include up to five Members (excluding Members of the Employment Panel) to determine appeals under the Council’s disciplinary and appeals procedures –

  Councillors T D Alban, I C Bates, Mrs B E Boddington, K Churchill, D B Dew, R Fuller,  Mrs L Kadic, M Oliver, Mrs D C Reynolds, P D Reeve and  R G Tuplin.

To consider a report by the Elections and Democratic Services Manager summarising the conclusions of the Independent Remuneration Panel following their recent review of Members Allowances.

The Executive Leader, Councillor J D Ablewhite presented a report by the Elections and Democratic Services Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) summarising the outcome of the seventh review of the Members' Allowances Scheme by the Independent Remuneration Panel. 

Members were reminded that the Panel had been convened specifically to respond to the statutory requirement for a review of the index for annual adjustment of allowances which under the Regulations  had to be undertaken at least every four years. 

Having reminded Members of their decision not to apply an increase of 2.2% to Members’ allowances in the financial year 2015/16, as agreed at their meeting in February 2015, the ensuing discussion suggested that the existing scheme be retained. Whereupon it was moved by Councillor R B Howe and seconded by J A Gray and

RESOLVED

  that the existing Members' Allowances Scheme be retained.

The meeting concluded at 6.45pm.