Agenda and minutes

To elect the Mayor for the Municipal Year 2017/18.

The retiring Mayor will present the Civic Awards and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Awards for 2017.

Nominations were invited for the election of the Mayor of the Borough of Welwyn Hatfield for the Municipal Year 2017/18. It was moved by Councillor N.Pace and seconded by Councillor D.Bell that Councillor L.Sparks be elected. The retiring Mayor then asked if there were any other nominations. There being no other nominations, it was

RESOLVED:

That Councillor L.Sparks be elected Mayor of the Borough of Welwyn Hatfield for the Municipal Year 2017/18.

The Council, in partnership with Serco, hosted a Civic Awards Scheme.  Awards were presented to people living in the Borough for extraordinary commitment, dedication, energy and effort in their field or towards achieving a particular goal.

The retiring Mayor presented the following awards for 2017:-

•          Graham Lale in recognition of the work he had undertaken for the elderly and less able residents of Welwyn Garden City.

•          Wayne Bush in recognition of the work he had undertaken with the Town Centre team at events (not able to attend).

The retiring Mayor invited R.Guy, Serco Local Government, to present their award for Environmental Services to the Sherrardspark Wood Wardens’ Society in recognition of fifty years of commitment to protect and promote the wood.

The retiring Mayor invited G.Ward, Dean of Students, to present the University of Hertfordshire young person award to Eponine Laming-Nash in recognition of the work she had undertaken within the Borough and as Vice-Chair of the Welwyn Hatfield Youth Council.

The retiring Mayor then presented the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Awards 2017.  The Awards were to support young people to get started, improve and excel in sport, art, dance or drama and could be used to cover expenses such as equipment, coaching, travel or fees essential to their progress-

The retiring Mayor reported that she had raised £6,000 for her charity during her year of office, Hertfordshire Action on Disability.  The Mayor presented the cheque to the representative of her charity.

The retiring Mayor presented her Consort, Mr A.Franey with a gift as a token of the Council’s appreciation of his service as Consort.

The retiring Mayor thanked Councillor L.Sparks as her Deputy for her support during the year and presented her with flowers.

The retiring Mayor thanked S.Houghton, Mayor and Member Support Officer for her help during the year presenting her with a gift.

Councillor P.Mabbott then vacated the Chair which was taken by Councillor L.Sparks.

Councillor L.Sparks made the formal Declaration of Acceptance of Office as Mayor pursuant to Section 83 of the Local Government Act 1972.

(Councillor L.Sparks in the Chair)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

To appoint the Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2017/18.

Nominations were invited for the appointment of the Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2017/18. It was moved by Councillor I.Dean and seconded by Councillor B.Sarson that Councillor B.Fitzsimon be appointed. The Mayor, Councillor L.Sparks, then asked if there were any other nominations. There being no other nominations, it was

RESOLVED:

That Councillor B.Fitzsimon be appointed Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2017/18.

Councillor B.Fitzsimon made the formal Declaration of Acceptance of Office as Deputy Mayor pursuant to Section 83 of the Local Government Act 1972.

To receive apologies for absence, if any.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors L.Brandon, LChesterman, M.Cook and J.Weston.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 10 April 2017.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 10 April 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor, Leader of the Council, Member of the Cabinet or the Head of Paid Service.

The Mayor announced that she had chosen “Celebrating Welwyn Hatfield” as a theme for her year. 

In keeping with the theme, the Mayor would be raising money for local community groups, charities and projects to support the people doing fantastic things in the community.  The Mayor’s airm was to celebrate Welwyn Hatfield by ensuring a range of charities and community groups would benefit from her fundraising efforts.

On behalf of the Council the Mayor expressed thanks to retiring Member M.Levitt.

To receive the Annual Reports of the Environment, Resources and Social Overview and Scrutiny Committees and the Annual Report on Member Development.

The Annual Reports of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees for 2016/17 and on Member Development were submitted.

RESOLVED:

That in accordance with Article 6.3(c) of the Constitution, the Annual Reports on the work and future work programmes of the Environment, Resources and Social Overview and Scrutiny Committees and on Member Development be received.

To consider recommendations from the Cabinet meeting on 4 April 2017 on a comprehensive review of the Constitution in the light of recent major changes.

Recommendations from the Cabinet meeting on 4 April 2017 on a comprehensive review of the Constitution in the light of recent major changes.

It was moved by Councillor R.Trigg, seconded by Councillor J.Dean and

RESOLVED:

(1)           That changes to the Constitution relating to the restructuring of the senior management of the Council including responsibility for functions and appointments of Proper Officers, the re-integration of the housing service into the Council, the creation of a property company, external auditor appointments,  the formation of a joint building control service, together with general updating, including to Contract and Financial Procedure Rules and the procedure for call-in of planning applications be approved.

(2)           That the Head of Law and Administration as Monitoring Officer be authorised to amend the Constitution to include these changes and to make any other minor amendments where required by Statute or decisions of the Council in accordance with delegated powers.

The Mayor called on the Council to approve the review of political proportionality of Member appointments to Committees and changes to the allocation of seats following the Panshanger Ward by-election on 4 May 2017 as set out in Appendix “A” to the Agenda.

It was moved by Councillor R.Trigg, seconded by Councillor J.Dean and

RESOLVED:

That the review of political proportionally of Member appointments to Committees and changes to the allocation of seats following the Panshanger Ward by-election on 4 May 2017 as set out in Appendix “A” be approved.

(1)          To note that Councillor J.W.Dean was appointed Leader of the Council at last year’s Annual Meeting for a term of office which continues until the Annual Meeting after his normal retirement as a Councillor (2018).

(2)          To note the appointments by the Leader of the Council of the Cabinet and Lead Members.

(3)          To approve the review of political proportionality of Member appointments to Committees and changes to the allocation of seats following the Panshanger Ward bye-election on 4 May 2017 (Appendix “A” attached).

(4)          To approve the appointment of Committees (Appendix “B” attached). 

The Mayor asked the Council to note the appointment of Councillor J.Dean as Leader of the Council in 2016.

The Mayor then asked the Council to note the appointments made by Councillor J.Dean as Leader of the Council of the Cabinet and Administration Lead Members.

It was moved by Councillor J.Dean, seconded by Councillor M.Perkins and

RESOLVED:

(1)           That the appointment of the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet and Administration Lead Members by the Leader, as set out in Appendix B to the Agenda, be noted.

(2)           That the membership of non-executive Committees with their respective Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen, as set out in Appendix B to the Agenda, be confirmed.

To appoint representatives to serve on outside bodies in 2017/18 (Appendix “C” attached). 

The Mayor called on the Council to confirm the appointments of Members to serve as representatives of non-executive outside bodies as shown in Appendix “C” to the Agenda.

It was moved by Councillor J.Dean, seconded by Councillor M.Perkins and

RESOLVED:

That the appointment of Members to serve as the Council’s representatives on outside bodies, as listed in Appendix “D” to the Agenda, be approved.

To note the summary of attendances by Members at meetings during 2016/17 (Appendix “D” attached). 

Attendances by Councillors at meetings of the Council, Cabinet, Committees and Panels during the Municipal Year 2016/17 were set out in Appendix “D” to the Agenda.

RESOLVED:

That the list showing the number of attendances by Councillors at meetings of the Council, Cabinet, Committees and Panels during the Municipal Year 2016/17, as set out in Appendix “D” to the Agenda, be received.

To approve the dates of meetings for the Municipal Year 2017/18 (Appendix “E” attached). 

Dates of meetings of the Council, Cabinet, Committees and Cabinet Panels for the Municipal Year 2017/18 were set out in Appendix “E” to the Agenda.

RESOLVED:

That dates of meetings of the Council, Cabinet, Committees and Cabinet Panels for the Municipal Year 2017/18, as set out in Appendix “E” to the Agenda, be approved.