Agenda and minutes

The Mayor’s Chaplain, Revered Michael Taylor, delivered opening prayers.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Carol Pepper.

The Mayor reflected on her year in office and how proud she had been to represent the Borough at over 250 events.

The Mayor informed Council that while she was unable to choose any favourite events from the year, as they were all special in their own right, there were a few events that stood out as particularly memorable. The Mayor highlighted the excellent, and very innovative, play days that she had attended, supported by the volunteers of the Gedling Play Forum. The Mayor also highlighted her visits to the Carlton and Arnold Fire Stations and the Holocaust Memorial, along with her trike ride at the annual toy run and celebrating the receipt of a Queen’s Award by a member of the Netherfield Forum. The Mayor also spoke about the touching World War One memorial events that had taken place, including the Lights Out Event and the memorial service at Arnot Hill Park, during which students from Arno Vale Primary School placed crosses on the war memorial for each fallen soldier, with each student also writing the Mayor a personal letter.

The Mayor thanked Members, officers and the public for their support in fundraising for her chosen charities and highlighted the recent opening of the Men in Sheds project at Jubilee House, which aims to reduce loneliness.

The Mayor gave thanks to Barbara Calvert- Benner and Mike Storer for their assistance, to the Reverend Michael Taylor, her Chaplain, to her husband, to her Deputy Mayor and Mayoress, her drivers and the Members’ Services Team.

The Mayor concluded that it had been an honour to serve as the Borough’s first citizen and gave her best wishes to the incoming Mayor and Mayoress.

None.

It was proposed by Councillor Clarke, seconded by Councillor Payne and

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Meredith Lawrence be elected Mayor of the Borough of Gedling for the ensuing year.

Councillor Lawrence made a signed Declaration of Acceptance of Office and thanked the Council.

Councillor Lawrence adjourned the meeting to allow for the transfer of the Chain of Office and robes.

The meeting then resumed with Councillor Lawrence in the Chair.

It was proposed by Councillor Clarke, seconded by Councillor Payne and

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Hollingsworth and Mr Ken Hollingsworth MBE, the Mayor’s Consort, be thanked for the work undertaken by them during their term of office.

It was proposed by Councillor Clarke, seconded by Councillor Payne and

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Sandra Barnes be elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Gedling for the ensuing year.

Councillor Sandra Barnes made a signed Declaration of Acceptance of Office and thanked the Council.

The Mayor nominated Reverend Barry Drake, retired Minister of the Netherfield United Reformed Church, as his Chaplain for the ensuing year.

The Mayor nominated We R Here as his charity for the ensuing year.

It was proposed by Councillor Payne, seconded by Councillor Collis and

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Clarke be appointed as Leader of the Council for the ensuing four years.

Councillor Clarke advised Council of his appointments to the position of Deputy Leader and his Cabinet.

It was proposed by Councillor Parr, seconded by Councillor Powell and

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Barnfather be recognised as the Leader of the Conservative Group.

It was proposed by Councillor Clarke and seconded by Councillor Collis that the membership of the scrutiny committee, standing ordinary committees and sub-committees of the Council, as circulated at the meeting, be approved.

RESOLVED:

To appoint to the Council’s scrutiny committee, standing ordinary committees and sub-committees in accordance with the document circulated.

It was proposed by Councillor Clarke and seconded by Councillor Collis that the appointment of Chairs and Vice Chairs of the scrutiny committee, standing ordinary committees and sub-committees of the Council, as circulated at the meeting, be approved.

RESOLVED:

To appoint to the Chair and Vice Chair of the Council’s scrutiny committee, standing ordinary committees and sub-committees in accordance with the document circulated.

It was proposed by Councillor Clarke and seconded by Councillor Collis that the appointment of representatives to outside bodies, as circulated at the meeting, be approved.

RESOLVED:

To appoint representatives of the Council to outside bodies, in accordance with the document circulated.

It was proposed by Councillor Clarke and seconded by Councillor Collis that the schedule of meetings for the ensuing year, as circulated at the meeting, be approved.

RESOLVED:

To approve the schedule of meetings for the 2015/16 municipal year, in accordance with the document circulated.