The Mayor’s Chaplain will say prayers, after which the Mayor will welcome guests to the meeting.

The retiring Mayor’s Chaplain, Reverend Lesley Jones, opened the meeting with Prayers.

In accordance with Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, a resolution must be passed by not less than a two-thirds majority of the Members voting. The Council are accordingly requested to pass the following resolution:

"That this Council in pursuance of Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, do confer upon George Bobbin, Andy Booth, Andrew Bowles, Derek Conway, Mike Cosgrove, Adrian Crowther, Duncan Dewar-Whalley, Sue Gent, Mike Henderson, Gerry Lewin, Bryan Mulhern, Colin Prescott, Ben Stokes, Anita Walker and John Wright the title of Honorary Alderman and Honorary Alderwoman in recognition of the valuable service given to the Council by those Members as past Members of the Council":

The past Members will be called forward to be presented with their plaque and scrolls.

Councillor David Simmons proposed and Councillor Horton seconded that the following past Members be awarded the title of Honorary Alderman or Honorary Alderwoman. In proposing and seconding, they gave a short speech in support:

George Bobbin, Andrew Booth, Andrew Bowles, Derek Conway, Michael Cosgrove, Adrian Crowther, Duncan Dewar-Whalley, Susan Gent, Michael Henderson, Gerry Lewin, Bryan Mulhern, Colin Prescott, Ben Stokes, Anita Walker and John Wright.

Upon being put to the vote and agreed unanimously, the retiring Mayor presented each Honorary Alderman and Alderwoman in attendance with a scroll and plaque to reflect this honour.

Mr George Bobbin

Mr George Bobbin thanked the retiring Mayor.

Mr Derek Conway

Mr Derek Conway thanked the retiring Mayor and congratulated the incoming Mayor and newly-elected Members.

Mr Mike Cosgrove

Mr Mike Cosgrove thanked all Officers, past and present Members, former Leader Mr Andrew Bowles, and all Cabinet and Deputy Cabinet Members.  He paid tribute to Sir Roger Moate who recently passed away and sent his prayers and good wishes to Chief Executive, Mark Radford, who was undergoing treatment in hospital.

Mr Adrian Crowther

Mr Adrian Crowther gave thanks and spoke of the unity of people working together in Swale.

Mr Duncan Dewar-Whalley

Mr Duncan Dewar-Whalley thanked all Members and staff and gave particular thanks and praise to the Democratic Services Team for their hard work and assistance.  He spoke positively of the advice and relationships he had formed with all Councillors. 

The retiring Mayor presented Mrs Mavis Dewar-Whalley with flowers and a card, and guests sang Happy Birthday, to commemorate her 80^th Birthday.

Mrs Sue Gent

Mrs Gent thanked Officers and gave her support to the Ward Members now covering Kemsley Ward.

Mr Gerry Lewin

Mr Gerry Lewin gave a history of his time in office.  He gave good wishes to the new Conservative Group Leader, Councillor Alan Horton and advised that he would still be active in Upchurch matters.  He thanked all staff, particularly those in Planning Services who had signed a retirement card for him. He thanked his political colleagues, giving particular thanks to former Leader Mr Andrew Bowles.  Finally, he thanked his late wife and his family for their support and understanding during his 28 years in office.  He said he accepted the Honorary Alderman title with pride.

Mrs Anita Walker

Mrs Anita Walker thanked the Abbey Ward residents who had voted for her, and staff at Swale Borough Council for their hard work and assistance.  She gave particular praise to the Chief Executive Mark Radford.  She spoke fondly of her time as Mayor in 2015/16 and her disappointment in not being selected as the Conservative candidate in the recent election.  She spoke of her newly-formed friendships with colleagues in opposing political groups.

Mr John Wright

Mr John Wright spoke fondly of his 17 years as a Councillor and how quickly the time had passed.  He spoke of the changes and successes over the years and the financial reserves that had built up in that time.  He thanked staff and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

The Mayor will present past Members Sarah Aldridge, Tina Booth, Paul Fleming, Mick Galvin, June Garrad, Nigel Kay, George Samuel, Lynd Taylor and Ted Wilcox who have served at least one term of office, with their scrolls.

The Director of Regeneration presented a scroll to past Member Mr George Samuel.

To confirm the appointment of Councillor Ken Ingleton as Mayor for the civic year 2019/20.

The Mayoral party will now retire for robing.

The retiring Mayor advised that the decision to appoint a Mayor elect had been taken at the Council meeting on 20 February 2019, where it was resolved that Councillor Ken Ingleton be elected Mayor for the civic year 2019/20.

Councillor Mike Whiting gave a speech to support the decision to elect Councillor Ken Ingleton as Mayor, and Councillor Alan Horton spoke to endorse the decision.

The Mayor read and signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office and announced that Mrs Mick Ingleton would be his Mayoress for the Mayoral Year.  Councillor Ken Ingleton and Mrs Mick Ingleton were presented with the badge of office and Mrs Mick Ingleton was presented with flowers.

Resolved

(1)  That the decision made at the Council meeting on 20 February 2019 to elect Councillor Ken Ingleton as Mayor for the Civic Year 2019 to 2020 be endorsed.

The new Mayor will outline the forthcoming Mayoral Year.

The Mayor advised that his theme for the year would be the Heritage of Swale, and he stressed how important it was for Swale residents to be aware of the history of the area.  He welcomed and congratulated new and re-elected Members and thanked those past Members who were not re-elected, and the unsuccessful new candidates in their work to ensure that the electorate had a fair representation of candidates to select from.

The Mayor drew attention to the responsibilities of his role as set out in the Council’s Constitution.

In outlining his plans for his Mayoral year, the Mayor advised that whilst not using his Mayoral office to raise charity funds, as trustee of ten local charities he would be supporting these and other local charities by attending meetings or other functions.  He added that civic functions promoted by the Mayor should be self-supporting or supported by the Mayor’s allowance.

The Mayor said that he expected to hold a Civic Service and a Christmas Service and would be promoting events where local organisations could showcase their activities.

The Mayor explained that he would not be appointing a cadet in his Mayoral Year but would support schools and youth organisations in the Borough.

Finally, the Mayor gave thanks to his wife for her support, reflecting back on their previous term as Mayor and Mayoress in 1986, and said that he looked forward to working with Members and Officers to celebrate the good things in Swale.

A vote of thanks will be given to the retiring Mayor, former Councillor Samuel Koffie-Williams and the retiring Mayoress, Mrs Doreen Koffie-Williams.  A past member scroll will be presented to former Councillor Samuel Koffie-Williams.

The retiring Mayor is invited to say a few words about their Mayoral Year and to present gifts.

Councillor Alan Horton proposed and Councillor David Simmons seconded a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor.  Councillor Horton gave an outline of the many engagements that the retiring Mayor had attended in his Mayoral year and highlighted his Civic Service in July 2018 as a particularly memorable occasion.  Councillor Simmons spoke of the retiring Mayor’s attendance at the Royal Garden Party and his involvement with the Dementia Café at Oasis Academy.

In his response, the retiring Mayor thanked Councillors Alan Horton and David Simmons for their kind words and thanked Councillors Mike Whiting and Mike Dendor for proposing and seconding his appointment as Mayor.  He spoke fondly of his term in office and how he had promoted Swale’s diversity.  He was particularly proud to have visited almost all care homes in Swale and that three Blue Flag awards were received for beaches in Swale during his Mayoral year.  He said that he would continue working to promote diversity in Swale.

The retiring Mayor thanked Democratic Services, the Mayor’s PA, the  Leader’s PA and the Graphic Designer, and then gave thanks and presented gifts and a certificate to Leading Cadet Libby Carew, Officer in Command Graham Morris, Reverend Lesley Jones, Keith Clark and to Council staff. 

A presentation was made to Mr Paul and Christine Murray and students from the Oasis Academy in recognition of their work with the Oasis Dementia Café.

The Mayor paid tribute to staff member Alan Marolia who sadly passed away, and his daughter Laura collected a certificate in recognition of her father’s work for the Council.

The Retiring Mayor thanked and praised the outgoing Mayoress, Mrs Doreen Koffie-Willams for her support, and presented his son Seth Koffie-Williams with a certificate.  He thanked Mr Paul Auston DL for his support and encouragement.

Finally, he thanked the new Mayor Councillor Ken Ingleton.

The Mayor presented the retiring Mayor with a civic shield and scroll, a past Mayor’s badge, a past Member scroll and also presented Mrs Koffie-Williams with a past Mayoress’s badge and flowers.

To confirm the appointment of Councillor Roger Clark as Deputy Mayor for the civic year 2019/20.

The Mayor advised that the decision to appoint a Deputy Mayor-elect was taken at the Council meeting on 20 February 2019, where it was resolved that Councillor Roger Clark be elected Deputy Mayor for the civic year 2019 to 2020.

Councillor James Hunt gave a speech to support the decision to elect Councillor Clark as Deputy Mayor, and Councillor Mike Dendor spoke to endorse the decision.

The Deputy Mayor read out and signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office, and was presented with his badge of office.

Resolved:

(1)  That the decision made at Council on 20 February 2019 to elect Councillor Roger Clark as Deputy Mayor for the civic year 2019/20 be endorsed.

The Mayor will announce the appointment of his Chaplain for the forthcoming civic year 2019/20.

The Mayor announced the appointment of his Chaplain Father Colin Johnson for the forthcoming year.  Father Johnson gave a short speech.

The Mayor’s Chaplain will say prayers, after which guests and members of the public are asked to remain standing whilst the official party withdraws.

Members are reminded that the Annual Council meeting will reconvene tomorrow evening, Wednesday 22 May 2019 at 7pm in the Council Chamber, Swale House, to conclude its business.

Father Colin Johnson concluded 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 then invited all Members and guests to join him for light refreshments.