Meeting documents

Annual Council
Tuesday, 17 May 2011

annual council

MINUTES of the Meeting held in the Council Chamber, Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne on Tuesday 17th May 2011 from 7:00 pm to 8:16 pm.

Present: Councillor Ben Stokes (Mayor), Councillor Bobbin (Deputy Mayor), Councillors Barnicott, Sylvia Bennett, Monique Bonney, Lloyd Bowen, Bowles, Jackie Constable, Mick Constable, Derek Conway, Mike Cosgrove, Adrian Crowther, Duncan Dewar-Whalley, Mark Ellen, June Garrad, Ed Gent, Sue Gent, Nicholas Hampshire, Harrison, Mike Haywood, Mike Henderson, Lesley Ingham, Gerry Lewin, Peter Marchington, Bryan Mulhern, Prescott, Ken Pugh, Gareth Randall, Pat Sandle, David Sargent, David Simmons, Adam Tolhurst, Roger Truelove, Anita Walker, Ted Wilcox, Nick Williams, Alan Willicombe, Jean Willicombe, Tony Winckless, Worrall and John Wright.

Officers Present: Heather Elliott, Joanne Hammond, Derek Johnson, Abdool Kara and Mark Radford.

Apologies: Councillors Andy Booth, John Coulter, Martin McCusker, John Morris, Brenda Simpson and Ghlin Whelan.

1  

prayers

The Mayor opened the meeting with a prayer.

 
2  

presentation to honorary alderwoman

Councillor Mike Henderson proposed and Councillor Prescott seconded that Councillor Elvina Lowe be awarded the title of Honorary Alderwoman.

Upon being put to the vote and agreed unanimously, the Mayor presented Mrs Elvina Lowe with a scroll and flowers to reflect this honour and Mrs Lowe gave a short speech in recognition of this award.

RESOLVED:

(1) That this Council, in pursuance of Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, confer upon Mrs Elvina Lowe the title of Honorary Alderwoman, in recognition of the valuable service given to the Council by Mrs Elvina Lowe as a past Member of the Council.
 
3  

presentation to past members

The Mayor presented scrolls to Mr Dave Banks and Mr Chris Foulds in recognition of their service to the Council as a past Member. Councillor June Garrad collected a scroll on behalf of Richard Darby and Councillor Bowles collected scrolls on behalf of Mr Mark Baldock, Mr Trevor Fentiman and Mr Paul Sturdgess.

 
4  

election of mayor

The retiring Mayor advised that the decision to appoint a Mayor elect had been taken at the Council meeting on 23rd February 2011 and it had been resolved that Councillor Ben Stokes be elected Mayor for the civic year 2011/12.

Councillor Lesley Ingham read out a speech on behalf of Councillor John Morris to endorse the decision to elect Councillor Ben Stokes as Mayor. Councillor Adrian Crowther seconded the endorsement with a short speech.

The Mayor made his Declaration of Acceptance of Office and was presented with his badge of office. The Mayoress, Mrs Sylvia Bennett, was presented with her badge of office and flowers.

RESOLVED:

(1) That the decision made at Council on 23rd February 2011 to elect Councillor Ben Stokes as Mayor for the civic year 2011/12 be endorsed.
 
5  

the forthcoming mayoral year

The Mayor thanked Members for his election as Mayor and introduced his Mayoress, Councillor Sylvia Bennett. He thanked Councillor Worrall and Mrs Therèse Davies and Officers, in particular the Mayor's PA and Mayor's Attendant, for their support during his time as Deputy Mayor. He welcomed his new Cadet and Chaplain and advised that his three chosen charities would be Macmillan Cancer Care, Kent Air Ambulance and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

 
6  

vote of thanks to the retiring mayor

Councillor Harrison proposed and Councillor Roger Truelove seconded a vote of thanks to Councillor Worrall for his work as Mayor. The Mayor presented Councillor Worrall with a civic shield, a past Mayor's badge and mementos of his term of office, and the retiring Mayor made a speech in response.

 
7  

election of deputy mayor

The Mayor advised that the decision to appoint a Deputy Mayor elect had been taken at the Council meeting on 23rd February 2011 and it had been resolved that Councillor Bobbin be elected Deputy Mayor for the civic year 2011/12.

Councillor Prescott endorsed the decision to elect Councillor Bobbin as Deputy Mayor with a short speech. Councillor David Simmons seconded the endorsement with a short speech.

The Deputy Mayor made his Declaration of Acceptance of Office and was presented with his badge of office. The Deputy Mayor advised that his daughter-in-law Mrs Lorraine Bobbin would be joining him on civic engagements and Mrs Bobbin was presented with flowers.

RESOLVED:

(1) That the decision made at Council on 23rd February 2011 to elect Councillor Bobbin as Deputy Mayor for the civic year 2011/12 be endorsed.
 
8  

appointment of the mayor's cadet

The Mayor announced that he would be appointing Leading Cadet Oliver Field from Sittingbourne and Milton Regis Sea Cadet Unit as the Mayor's Cadet and presented him with a cadet badge for his uniform.

 
9  

appointment of the mayor's chaplain

The Mayor announced that he would be appointing Reverend Jacky Davis as his Chaplain and presented her with flowers.

 
10  

concluding prayers

Reverend Jacky Davis, the Mayor's Chaplain, concluded this part of the meeting with prayers. The Mayor reminded Members that the second part of the Annual Council meeting would be held the following evening starting at 7pm in the Council Chamber, Swale House. He invited all Members and guests to join him for light refreshments.

 
All Minutes are draft until agreed at the next meeting of the Committee/Panel

View the Agenda for this meeting

 

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