Agenda and minutes

Apologies for non attendance were received from Councillors Chegwyn, Earle, Hammond, Hylands, Johnston, Miss Kelly,  Mrs Morgan, Prickett

PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR PHILPOTT

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR BEAVIS

That Councillor Mrs Jones be elected Mayor of the Borough of Gosport for the Municipal Year ending May 2020.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Retiring Mayor thereupon vacated the Chair, which was taken by the newly elected Mayor, who made the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

REPLY BY HER WORSHIP THE MAYOR

The new Mayor replied to the Council’s resolution and returned thanks for her election.

PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR MRS HOOK

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR BURGESS

That the best thanks of the Council be accorded to Councillor Diane Furlong, and Raymond Furlong  for their services as Mayor and Consort respectively during the past Municipal Year.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Mayor awarded a Citizen of the Year Certificate and medallion to Joy Hammond for her eminent services to the Borough. 

The Mayor awarded a Youth Award Certificate and voucher to Miss Abigail Webber for her eminent services to the Borough. 

(Until 5pm on Thursday, 16 May 2019, at the Town Hall, Gosport).

PROPOSED BY THE MAYOR

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR HOOK

That the Council do now adjourn until 5.00pm on Thursday, 16 May 2019 at the Town Hall, Gosport.

CARRIED

The meeting ended at 12 noon.

APOLOGIES

Apologies for inability to attend the meeting were submitted on behalf of Honorary Freeman O’Neill, and Councillors Ms Ballard, Johnston and Mrs Morgan.

COUNCIL RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Ordinary meeting of the Council held on 27 March 2019 be confirmed and signed.

There were none.

(NOTE: Standing Order No 3.5 requires that notice of a Deputation should be received by the Borough Solicitor NOT LATER THAN 12 O’CLOCK NOON ON MONDAY, 13 MAY 2019 and likewise Standing Order No 3.6 requires that notice of a Public Question should be received by the Borough Solicitor NOT LATER THAN 12 O’CLOCK NOON ON MONDAY, 13 MAY 2019.

There were none.  

(NOTE: Members are reminded that Standing Order No 3.4 requires that Notice of Question pursuant to that Standing Order must be received by the Borough Solicitor NOT LATER THAN 12 O’CLOCK NOON ON TUESDAY, 14 MAY 2019).

Question standing in the name of Councillor Westerby on:

What training programmes are the Council offering staff to deal with adults and children with learning or communication difficulty?

Was answered by the Councillor Hook  

Councillor Hook proposed and Councillor Burgess seconded the Motion that Councillor Mrs Huggins be elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Gosport for the Municipal Year ending May 2019/2030.

COUNCIL RESOLVED: That Councillor Mrs Huggins be elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Gosport for the Municipal Year 2019/20.

The Deputy Mayor made the Statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office and confirmed that her husband Mr Huggins will be her Consort for the Municipal Year 2019/20.  She returned thanks for her election

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor and Deputy Chief Executive (copy herewith)

The Borough Solicitor and Deputy Chief Executive had submitted a report to advise the Council of the composition and balance of the seats on the Council and the position with regard to Political Groups and to undertake a review in accordance with the “Proportionality Rules” of the balance of seats on the Boards and Committees of the Council.

RECOMMENDED: That the Council approve:

1.         The allocation of seats on the Boards and Committee as set out in   paragraph 3.2

COUNCIL RESOLVED: That Councillor Hook be appointed Chairman of the Policy and Organisation Board for the 2019/2020 Municipal Year.

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor and Deputy Chief Executive.

RESOLVED: That a the proposed composition of the panel should be the same as previously appointed in 2010 and 2014 and that authority be delegated to the Borough Solicitor to make reasonable adjustments to the composition of the panel should the recruitment process require.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive.

RESOLVED that:

1.     Graeme Jesty is appointed Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer for the Council.

2.     Appropriate insurance will be provided to enable the roles to be undertaken. 

3.     In the event of such insurance carrying an 'excess' clause by which an initial portion of risk is not insured, the Council, through its internal insurance fund or otherwise, will indemnify the Returning Officer up to the value of such excess.

4.     The Council expresses its thanks to Michael Lawther for undertaking the duties of Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer and wishes him a long and happy retirement

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor and Deputy Chief Executive.

RESOLVED: That Paul Grant, Gosport Borough Council's Senior Solicitor, be appointed as Monitoring Officer.

That the Council consider amendments proposed to the way complaints against Councillors are dealt with, considered by the Standards and Governance Committee and recommended to the Council for approval.

RESOLVED: That the Council agree to the changes set out in Appendix 1 of the report of the Borough Solicitor and Deputy Chief Executive.

Members considered a provisional list (a copy of which is attached hereto as Appendix “C1”) and amended list of appointments to vacancies listed for the Municipal Year 2019/20.

COUNCIL RESOLVED: That the provisional list of appointments to vacancies listed above for the Municipal Year 2019/20 as amended be approved and adopted.

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ADJOURNMENT

The Mayor adjourned the Council meeting at 5.24pm so that new Board and Committee members could elect their respective Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen.  The meeting re-convened at 5:41pm.