Agenda and minutes

Discussion:

Councillor Carr, supported by Councillor Tolhurst, proposed the nomination of Councillor Tranter to the Office of Mayor of Medway for the forthcoming municipal year. Councillor Tranter was duly elected.

The Portfolio Holder for Business Management, Councillor Turpin, supported by Councillor Bhutia, proposed the nomination of Councillor Opara to the Office of the Deputy Mayor of Medway for the forthcoming municipal year. Councillor Opara was duly elected.

The newly elected Mayor made the declaration required by law and signed the declaration of acceptance of office. The Mayor also accepted the ceremonial sword and silver oar as symbols of his office as Constable of Rochester Castle and Admiral of the River Medway from Sheerness to Hawkwood respectively.

The newly elected Deputy Mayor made the declaration required by law and signed the declaration of acceptance of office.

Councillor Chishti, supported by Councillor Doe, proposed a vote of thanks to the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Kemp. The outgoing Mayor, Councillor Kemp, responded to the vote of thanks.

The Mayor then addressed the Council and announced that his nominated charity would be Christians Against Poverty.

Flowers were presented to the outgoing Mayoress (Mrs Kemp) and the outgoing Deputy Mayoress (Mrs Iles). 

Decisions:

a)    The Council elected Councillor Tranter to the Office of the Mayor of Medway for the 2016/2017 municipal year.

b)    The Council elected Councillor Opara to the Office of the Deputy Mayor of Medway for the 2016/2017 municipal year.

The Mayor announced that Reverend Peter Marchand had accepted an invitation of act as his Chaplain for the forthcoming year.  

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Gilry, Godwin, Griffiths and O’Brien for this meeting and the Joint Meeting of Committees.

Apologies for absence were also received from Clive Mailing and Alex Tear (co-opted voting members on the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee) for the Joint Meeting of Committees which would follow this meeting.  

Disclosable pecuniary interests

There were none.

Other interests

There were none.

There were none.

This report advises the Council of the Members of the Cabinet for 2016/2017 as appointed by the Leader of the Council and their portfolios, appointments made by the Leader to outside bodies as set out in Appendix A and the delegation of executive functions to officers agreed by the Leader as set out in Appendix B (which also incorporates the scheme of officer delegations for matters which are not the responsibility of the Cabinet and have to be agreed by the Council).

Discussion:

This report provided details of the Members of the Cabinet for 2016/2017 as appointed by the Leader of the Council, and their Portfolios.

Details of the Cabinet portfolios and appointments to executive bodies were tabled at the meeting as Appendix A to the report (Supplementary Agenda No.1). The report also included details of the delegation of executive functions to officers agreed by the Leader as set out in Appendix B to the report. This also incorporated the scheme of officer delegations for matters which were not the responsibility of the Cabinet and were a matter for Council.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Jarrett, supported by the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, Councillor Doe, proposed the recommendations as set out in the report.

Decision:

(a)  The Council noted the details of those appointed by the Leader to serve as Deputy Leader and Members of the Cabinet and the extent of their individual portfolios together with appointments to Executive bodies, as set out in Appendix A to the report.

(b)  The Council noted the delegations to officers agreed by the Leader in relation to executive functions and agreed to the delegation of non-executive functions to officers as set out in Appendix B to the report.

This report sets out the position regarding the overall allocation of seats on committees. On 28 April 2016, the Council agreed to make recommendations to this meeting regarding the committees and other bodies to be appointed for 2016/2017 and a programme of meetings.

The Council is also asked to make recommendations to the Joint Meeting of Committees immediately following the Annual Meeting of the Council, in respect of the appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Committees and the establishment and membership of Sub-Committees.

Discussion:

This report provided details of the establishment of Committees and the appointment of Members to serve on Committees and other bodies and the programme of meetings.

Decisions:

(a)  The Council agreed the establishment of committees, their size and the allocation of seats to political groups as set out in paragraph 3.5 of the report and in Appendix A to the report, together with terms of reference as set out in the Council’s constitution.

(b)  The Council agreed the establishment of an ad hoc committee to consider the removal of Council appointed school governors as and when necessary and to waive political balance in respect of this Committee.

(c)  The Council agreed the membership of each Committee as set out in Appendix A to the report, including the appointment of voting and non-voting co-optees on Committees as listed.

(d)  The Council agreed that appointments should be made to Joint Committees, outside bodies and other bodies as set out in Appendix B to the report.

(e)  The Council agreed the timetable of meetings for the 2016/2017 municipal year as set out in Appendix C to the report.

(f)   The Council recommended to the Joint Meeting of Committees the appointment of Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of Committees as set out in Appendix A to the report.

(g)  The Council recommended to the Joint Meeting of Committees the establishment of Sub Committees (with terms of reference as set out in the Council’s Constitution), one Task Group, their size and the allocation of seats to political groups as set out in Appendix A to the report.

At the conclusion of the Annual Meeting there will be a brief Joint Meeting of Committees.

Joint Meeting of Committees (except Health and Wellbeing Board):

Agenda

(1)  Election of Chairman

(2)  Declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and other interests

(3)  To appoint Committee Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen as set out in Appendix A to agenda item 8 on the Annual Meeting of Medway Council agenda

(4)  To agree the establishment, allocation of seats to political groups and membership of Sub-Committees and one Task Group, as set out in Appendix A to agenda item 8 on the Annual Meeting of Medway Council agenda.

Discussion:

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Jarrett, supported by the Leader of the Labour Group, Councillor Maple proposed a vote of thanks to staff.

In making the proposal, Councillor Jarrett thanked staff for their support over the past year given the funding challenges faced by the Council, their goodwill and dedication, and their pride in serving the people of Medway. Councillor Jarrett also stated that he looked forward to working with staff in the forthcoming year.

Councillor Vince Maple, Leader of the Labour Group, supported the vote of thanks and also paid tribute to staff, including those who directly worked for the Council and those who worked for other employers which provided Council services, including Medway Norse.

Councillor Maple also referred to Mental Health Awareness Week and Dementia Awareness Week and the hard work undertaken by staff in providing Council services which helped those members of the community, and the community as a whole.

The Chief Executive responded on behalf of staff.

Decision:

The Council agreed that a vote of thanks be given to staff.

Notes:

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