Agenda, decisions and minutes

Cllrs Mrs Crisell, Mrs Jackman and Mrs Lane.

The Chairman of the Council, Cllr Mrs Hoare, in the Chair

To elect a Chairman of the Council to hold office until the annual meeting in 2017.

Cllr G C Beck 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 Mrs Hoare.

Cllr Goff Beck was elected Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.

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

RESOLVED:

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

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

Cllr Mrs Hoare invested the Chairman with the Chain and Badge of Office, and presented Mrs Beck, the Chairman’s consort, with a bouquet of flowers.

The Chairman thanked members of the Council for electing him as Chairman.  He said that he looked forward to the year ahead and hoped to serve the Council and its residents well.

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

The Chairman, in paying tribute to Cllr Mrs Hoare, thanked her for the exemplary manner in which she had conducted herself during her term of office. He thanked Mrs Hoare’s husband, Peter, for his support as Chairman’s consort, and wished Cllr Mrs Hoare best wishes for any roles she might undertake within the Council in the future.

The motion was seconded.

Members spoke in support of the motion. They said that Cllr Mrs Hoare had worked very hard during her year in office and had been very successful in her charitable fundraising. She 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 happy memories of the past year, and the popularity of the Chairman. In particular members referred to the commitment and charm displayed by Cllr Mrs Hoare during her time in office.

The Chief Executive, on behalf of staff, expressed his thanks to Cllr Mrs Hoare for her hard work during her year as Chairman. He made particular reference to her charity abseil down the Spinnaker Tower demonstrating her courage and determination to raise money for her charities.

RESOLVED:

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

In thanking members for the great honour of allowing her to be Chairman for the year, Cllr Mrs Hoare said that her year in office had been extremely fun and rewarding. She had met many selfless and dedicated volunteers across the Forest, working for various causes, who worked hard to assist the vulnerable and those in need. Cllr Mrs Hoare had been proud to represent the New Forest District, which was, in her opinion, one of the most beautiful places to live and work in the Country. Cllr Mrs Hoare praised local businesses and producers of the New Forest and the local tourism industry for championing the unique area of the Forest. Cllr Mrs Hoare was pleased to announce that she had raised approximately £5,000 for her chosen charities and she thanked her family, colleagues and officers for their support during her year in office and gave particular thanks to her PA Donna Langfield. A representative from Oakhaven Hospice was in attendance and gratefully received a cheque from Cllr Mrs Hoare.

To appoint a Vice-Chairman of the Council to hold office until the annual meeting in 2017.

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

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

Cllr Mrs Christine Ward was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.

It was moved by Cllr O’Sullivan and seconded by Cllr Mrs Bennison that Cllr Mrs Ward be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council for the ensuing municipal year.

Members spoke in support of the motion.

RESOLVED:

That Cllr Mrs Ward 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.

Cllr Mrs Ward made the declaration of acceptance of office, which was formally witnessed by the Chief Executive.  The Chairman invested Cllr Mrs Ward with her badge of office and flowers and presented the Vice-Chairman’s Consort, Mr Ward, with a gift. 

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 18 April 2016 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 April 2016 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 his two chosen charities for the year would be New Forest Disability and First Opportunities.

The Chairman announced that his two chosen charities for the year would be New Forest Disability and First Opportunities.

New Forest Disability was a local charity which supported over 2000 disabled people, families, carers and professionals each year throughout the New Forest.

First Opportunities was a New Milton based charity which provided therapeutic play and pre-school education for babies and young children (aged 0-5 years) with additional needs in the New Forest.

The Chairman hoped that colleagues would assist in his fundraising efforts during his year in office.

The Chairman announced that he would host his Civic Service on Sunday 3 July at 3.00pm in New Milton Parish Church.

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.

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 as set out in the report to the Council was noted.

RESOLVED:

That the report to the Council be 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).

No changes were made to the membership of Committees & Panels.

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ANNUAL MEETINGS OF COMMITTEES AND PANELS

Appeals Committee

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

Audit Committee

Cllr O’Sullivan was elected Chairman and Cllr J G 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 Mrs Rostand was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Panel.

Environment Overview & Scrutiny Panel (PLEASE NOTE CHANGE)

Cllr Rippon-Swaine was elected Chairman and Cllr Mrs 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 Mrs Ward was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Committee.

No changes to committees or panels were proposed by the political groups.