Agenda and draft minutes

The meeting of the Council will be called to order to receive Her Worship The Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

The meeting of the Council was called to order to receive Her Worship The Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

A minute’s silence was observed in memory of the late former Mayor and Councillor Roy Rudham who passed away on 31 March 2025.

To receive apologies for absence from Members to determine the quorum of the meeting in accordance with Rule 7 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

An apology for absence was received from Councillors M L Darr, H E Darling, D A Gamble, G G Hunt and R E R Morris.

Members are reminded that any declaration of interest should be made having regard to the Members’ Code of Conduct. In particular, Members must make clear the nature of the interest and whether it is 'pecuniary' or ‘non-pecuniary'.

Councillor K J Loydall declared a non-pecuniary interest relating to agenda item 15 insofar as he was acquainted with Laurence Faulkner, one of the Independent Persons.

To read, confirm and approve the minutes of the previous meeting in accordance with Rule 19 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition noted that in relation to minute item 69, the number of votes against the motion(s) was 5 against as opposed to 5 abstentions, and that requested that the minute be amended accordingly.

Councillor C J R Martin made a personal statement apologising for and retracting certain comments he made at the previous meeting held on 20 February 2025.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 20 February 2025 be taken as read, confirmed and approved (as amended).

To read, confirm and note the Action List arising from the previous meeting.

There was no Action List arising from the previous meeting.

To consider any Motions on Notice in accordance with Rule 14 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

None.

To receive any Petitions, Deputations and, or, to answer any Questions by Members or the Public in accordance with Rule(s) 11, 12, 13 and 10 of Part 4 of the Constitution and the Petitions Procedure Rules respectively.

None.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor in accordance with Rule 2 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

None.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was:

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The list of Official Engagements attended by The Mayor and/or Deputy Mayor be noted.

To receive any statement from the Leader of the Council in accordance with Article 2.9.2(ii) of Part 2 of the Constitution.

The Leader of the Council presented a statement outlining her recent work and meetings she has attended, the administration’s plans and an overview of recent decisions taken since the previous meeting of the Council, and successes achieved, together with fielding questions in relation to her statement.

Councillors P Joshi and R V Joshi entered the Civic Suite at 7:14 pm.

Report of the Senior Strategic Development Manager

Council gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 15 – 43 of the agenda reports pack), which sought approval for the Public Space Protection Order Renewal 2025.

It was moved by Councillor I K Ridley, seconded by Councillor G A Boulter and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The Public Space Protection Order (Regulation of Dogs) 2025 (as set out at Appendix 1 to this report) be approved.

Report of the Senior Democratic & Electoral Services Officer

Council gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 44 -67 of the agenda reports pack), which sought recommendation for the draft Schedule of Council and Allied Meetings (2025/26) to Full Council for approval and adoption at its AGM.

It was moved by the Leader of the Council, seconded by the Deputy Leader of the Council, and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)         That the draft Schedule of Council and Allied Meetings for 2025/26 (as set out at Appendix 1 and 2 to this report) be recommended to Full Council for approval and adoption at its AGM scheduled on Tuesday 13 May 2025;

ii)        That the draft Schedule of Council and Allied Meetings for 2025/26 (as may be recommended) be circulated to all Members and Officers ahead of the AGM; and

iii)      That the proposed dates, times and venues of meetings for 2025/26 be provisionally entered onto the Council’s meeting management application accordingly.

Report of the Head of Law & Democracy / Monitoring Officer

Council gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 68 – 78 of the agenda reports pack), which sought approval and adoption of the Scheme of Members’ Allowances 2025/26.

It was moved by the Deputy Leader of the Council, seconded by the Leader of the Council, and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The Council adopt the Scheme of Member’s Allowances for 2025/26 as recommended by the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) set out in paragraph 1 of the report (Appendix 1) save for the Basic Allowance which is not to be increased and to remain at £4,750 for 2025/26.

Report of the Chief Executive Officer / Head of Paid Service

Council gave consideration to the report (as set out at pages 79 - 81 of the agenda reports pack), which sought approval for the redesignation of the Monitoring Officer post.

It was moved by the Leader of the Council, seconded by the Deputy Leader of the Council

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)         The post of the Council’s Monitoring Officer be redesignated to the post of Legal and Democratic Services Manager; and

ii)        Following the interview of Samuel Ball, Legal and Democratic Services Manager, he be appointed as the Council’s Monitoring Officer as of 1 June 2025 for the reasons set out in this report.

Report of the Head of Law & Democracy / Monitoring Officer

Council gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 82 – 143 of the agenda reports pack), which sought approval for an update to the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.

It was moved by the Leader of the Council, seconded by the Deputy Leader of the Council, and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The updated Contract Procedure Rules attached at Appendix 1 be approved and the Head of Law & Democracy / Monitoring Officer be authorised to make the necessary amendments to the Constitution.

Report of the Head of Law & Democracy / Monitoring Officer

Council gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 144 – 147 of the agenda reports pack), which sought approval for the appointment of Independent Persons to a Panel of Independent Persons.

It was moved by the Leader of the Council, seconded by Councillor I K Ridley, and

RESOLVED THAT:

The Independent Persons listed in paragraph 2.2 be re-appointed and the new Independent Persons listed in paragraph 2.3 of the report be appointed for a term of office of four years commencing on 13 May 2025 until the Annual General Meeting scheduled for May 2029.

For                              20

Against                      0

Abstentions             1