Agenda, decisions and minutes

Cllrs Mrs Beeton, Coombes, Kendal  and Mrs Rostand.

The Chairman of the Council, Cllr Beck, in the Chair

To elect a Chairman of the Council to hold office until the annual meeting in 2018.

Cllr Mrs C V Ward has been nominated as Chairman for the ensuing year.

Declaration of acceptance of office by the Chairman and investiture of badges of office.

The newly elected Chairman in the Chair.

Vote of thanks to Cllr Beck.

Cllr Mrs Ward was elected Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.

Cllr Beck moved that Cllr Mrs Ward be elected Chairman of the Council for the ensuing municipal year. The motion was seconded by Cllr O’Sullivan.

RESOLVED:

That Cllr Mrs Ward be elected Chairman of the Council to continue in office until her successor becomes entitled to act as Chairman at the next annual meeting of the Council.

Cllr Mrs Ward took the chair and made the declaration of acceptance of office, which was formally witnessed by the Chief Executive.

Cllr Beck invested the Chairman with the Chain and Badge of Office.

The Chairman thanked members of the Council for electing her as Chairman. She said that she looked forward to the year ahead and felt proud to be serving the Council and its residents.

The Chairman moved a vote of thanks to the outgoing Chairman, Cllr Beck.

The Chairman, in paying tribute to Cllr Beck, said that he had been held in high regard by colleagues and residents alike during his term as Chairman and had formed key relationships, most notably with the military. He had proved to be an excellent ambassador for the New Forest, and had served the Council with determination, enthusiasm and vigour. 

The motion was seconded.

Members spoke in support of the motion. They said that Cllr Beck had worked very hard during his year in office and had been extremely successful in his charitable fundraising. He had represented the people of the New Forest District very well and had been a great ambassador for the Council.

Other members commented on the events of the past year, and the popularity of the Chairman. In particular members referred to the success of the Ceremony held to bestow the Freedom of the District on the 17 Port and Maritime Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps.

Members commended Cllr Beck for his tireless work throughout the year to raise funds for his charities and thanked him for his commitment and enthusiasm.

The Chief Executive expressed thanks on behalf of all employees of the Council, to Cllr Beck for his commitment.

RESOLVED:

That the thanks and best wishes of the Council be recorded to Cllr Beck for his service during his term of office as Chairman of the Council.

Cllr Beck thanked members for their kind wishes. He said that it had been a great privilege to serve as Chairman of the Council. He had thoroughly enjoyed his time in office. Cllr Beck announced that his fundraising had been very successful and he thanked all those who had helped and supported him in raising funds.

Representatives from First Opportunities and New Forest Disability Advice Service were in attendance at the meeting and gratefully received cheques from Cllr Beck.

To appoint a Vice-Chairman of the Council to hold office until the annual meeting in

2018.

Cllr M J Kendal has been nominated as Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.

Cllr Kendal was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council for the

ensuing year.

It was moved by Cllr Wise and seconded by Cllr Mrs Thorne that Cllr Kendal be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council for the ensuing municipal year.

RESOLVED:

That Cllr Kendal be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council to hold office until immediately after the election of the Chairman at the next annual meeting of the Council.

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

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 April 2017 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item.  The nature of the interest must also be specified.

Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest made by any member in connection with an agenda item.

The Chairman announced that her two chosen charities for the year would be First Opportunities and It’s Your Choice.

The Chairman announced that her two chosen charities for the year would be First Opportunities and It’s Your Choice.

First Opportunities was an independent charity providing therapeutic play and education for babies and young children with special needs.

It’s Your Choice was a charity which provided free and confidential information, advice, support and counselling for young people aged 12-25 in the New Forest area.

The Leader of the Council confirmed that there would be no changes to the Deputy

Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holders or the content of Portfolios.

The Leader of the Council announced that there would be no changes in Cabinet Portfolios or Portfolio Holders. Cllr E Heron would remain Deputy Leader of the Council.

The Leader of the Council thanked all officers involved in the recent Hampshire County Council elections. The efficiency and professionalism with which the Council ran the election, polling stations and the count through the night was evident and he was confident that the Council’s part in the upcoming general election would be delivered extremely well. He applauded the staff involved for their efforts.

Section 15(1) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 requires the Council, at its annual meeting or as soon as practicable thereafter, to review the political representation on committees and other groups such as panels to which the principles of proportionate representation, as set out in the Act, apply.

The seats currently allocated to the political groups on Committees and Panels are set out in the attached report. The overall allocation complies with the proportionality requirements.

It is recommended that the Council notes the position.

The seats currently allocated to the political groups on Committees and Panels were noted.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and noted.

To consider any changes to the membership of Committees or Panels that might be proposed by the political groups. (Members of Committees and Panels were appointed for a four-year period at the annual meeting of the Council on 18 May

2015).

The following changes were agreed: -

Cllr Clarke was appointed to serve on the Community Overview & Scrutiny Panel in place of Cllr Mrs Lovelace.

Cllr Penson was appointed to serve on the Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Panel in place of Cllr Mrs Rostand.

Cllrs Davies and Mrs Jackman were appointed to serve of the General Purposes & Licensing Committee in place of Cllrs Penson and Mrs Ward.

Cllr Glass was appointed to serve on the Planning Development Control Committee in place of Cllr Mrs Ward.

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ANNUAL MEETINGS OF COMMITTEES AND PANELS

Appeals Committee

Cllr Alvey was elected Chairman and Cllr Wappet was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Committee.

Audit Committee

Cllr O’Sullivan was elected Chairman and Cllr John Ward was appointed Vice- Chairman of the Committee.

Community Overview & Scrutiny Panel

Cllr Davies was elected Chairman and Cllr Russell was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Panel.

Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Panel

Cllr M Harris was elected Chairman and Cllr Steele was appointed Vice- Chairman of the Panel.

Environment Overview & Scrutiny Panel

Cllr Rippon-Swaine was elected Chairman and Cllr Ms Ford was appointed Vice- Chairman of the Panel.

General Purposes & Licensing Committee

Cllr Clarke was elected Chairman and Cllr Puttock was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Committee.

Planning Development Control Committee

Cllr Mrs Andrews was elected Chairman and Cllr L Harris was appointed Vice- Chairman of the Committee.

RESOLVED:

That the following changes to the membership of Committees and Panels be agreed: -

(i)         That Cllr Clarke be appointed to serve on the Community Overview & Scrutiny Panel in place of Cllr Mrs Lovelace;

(ii)        That Cllr Penson be appointed to serve on the Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Panel in place of Cllr Mrs Rostand;

(iii)       That Cllrs Davies and Mrs Jackman be appointed to serve of the General Purposes & Licensing Committee in place of Cllrs Penson and Mrs Ward; and

(iv)       That Cllr Glass be appointed to serve on the Planning Development Control Committee in place of Cllr Mrs Ward.