Prayers were taken by Councillor Mrs Barker.

To elect the Chairman of the Council for the municipal year 2018/19.  The retiring Chairman will call for nominations for Chairman and each nomination must be seconded.  Members may speak in support of nominations.

(Note:  In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 21.7, if more than one nomination is received, a vote by show of hands will be conducted.)

The elected Chairman to sign and read out the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Due to her expected nomination for the position for 2018/19, the Chairman relinquished the Chair and left the Chamber and the Vice-Chairman presided for this item.

The Vice-Chairman invited nominations for the office of Chairman of the Council for the municipal year 2018/19.  Councillor Mrs Fiona Chapman was duly proposed and seconded.  There were no other nominations.

RESOLVED

that Councillor Mrs Chapman be elected to the office of Chairman of the Council for the municipal year 2018/19.

Councillor Mrs Chapman then read out and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The decision was unanimous.

To elect the Vice-Chairman of the Council for the municipal year 2018/19.  The Chairman will call for nominations for Vice-Chairman and each nomination must be seconded.  Members may speak in support of nominations.

(Note:  In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 21.7, if more than one nomination is received, a vote by show of hands will be conducted.)

The elected Vice-Chairman to sign and read out the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The Chairman invited nominations for the office of Vice-Chairman of the Council for the municipal year 2018/19.  Councillor Brian Saunders was duly proposed and seconded.  There were no other nominations.

RESOLVED

that Councillor Saunders be elected to the office of Vice-Chairman of the Council for the municipal year 2018/19.

Councillor Saunders then read out and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Thereafter the Vice-Chairman thanked Members for their support.

The decisions was unanimous.

To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 26 April 2018.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 26 April 2018 be approved as a correct record.

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

None were declared.

The Chairman to announce any matters of communication.

The Chairman thanked Members for their support in re-electing her as Chairman.  She took the opportunity to thank the Vice Chairman, Councillor B Saunders and her Personal Assistant for their support during 2017/18.

Former Bedfordshire County and Mid Bedfordshire District Councillor David Thompson’s Memorial Service would take place on 6 June 2018 and all Members were welcome to attend.

Councillor Mrs Gurney advised that Richard Payne’s Memorial Service would take place on 30 May 2018.

The Chairman commented on the forthcoming wedding of Prince Harry and Megan Markle and with Council’s agreement would convey best wishes to them for the future.

She reminded Members that directly after Annual Council there would be a special meeting of the General Purposes Committee to appoint the Appointments Panel.

The Leader of the Council to announce any matters of communication.

The Leader deferred his communication until item 11 ‘Leader of the Council’s Annual Report’.

To receive any questions, statements and deputations from members of the public in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Part 4G of the Constitution.  (This session will be held at the Chairman’s discretion and will normally last no longer than 15 minutes.)

No members of the public had registered to speak.

The report outlines the requirements for appointments to committees and other Council bodies, including political proportionality. 

The Council considered a report outlining the requirements for Member appointments to committees and other Council bodies, including taking account of political proportionality.

RESOLVED

1.      that the Council confirms for the municipal year 2018/19:

(a)     the structure, size and terms of reference of the committees, sub-committees and joint committees set out in parts 3B, 3C and 3D of the Council’s Constitution; and

(b)     the allocation of seats and substitutes to these and other bodies, as listed in Appendix A to the report, in accordance with the political balance rules where they apply.

2.      that the appointment of individual Members and substitutes to committees and other bodies be approved in accordance with the nominations submitted by the political groups, subject to Councillor Mrs Chapman replacing Councillor Collins as substitute on the General Purposes Committee, as attached at Appendix A to the minutes;

3.      that the appointment of at least 1 Member of the Council to the Central Bedfordshire Health and Wellbeing Board be approved, as attached at Appendix B to the minutes;

4.      that the appointment of the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of committees for the municipal year 2018/19 be approved in accordance with nominations as set out at Appendix C to the minutes;

5.      to note that the following persons had been appointed to the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee as co-opted members with voting rights on education matters for the period May 2015 to the Annual Council Meeting in May 2019:

(a)     Debbie Main, NORES (supporting Catholic education)

(b)     David Morton, Church of England Diocesan

(c)     Stephen Court, School Parent Governor

(d)     Gillian Deans, School Parent Governor

(e)     Emily Rowlands, School Parent Governor.

Upon being put to the vote 53 Members voted in favour, no Members voted against and 1 Member abstained against the resolution.

The Leader of the Council to report any changes to the composition and responsibilities of the Executive for the forthcoming year and to agree the scheme of delegation as set out at part 3A of the Constitution. 

The Council noted a report from the Leader of the Council setting out the composition of the Executive, including the names of the Councillors appointed to the Executive. 

The report also confirmed that the Scheme of Delegation of Executive functions was set out at Part C3 of the Council’s Constitution.

NOTED

1.      that Councillor Steven Dixon remains the designated Lead Member for Children’s Services;

2.      the composition of the Executive and the allocation of portfolios, as attached at Appendix D to the minutes; and

3.      the scheme of delegation of Executive functions, as set out at part 3A of the Council’s constitution.

To receive verbally the annual report from the Leader of the Council outlining policy priorities for the coming year.

The Leader presented his annual report celebrating successes over recent years and outlining plans for the future.

The Leader thanked Members and Officers for their hard work in delivering improved outcomes and financial discipline.