Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were made.

RESOLVED

that Councillor Tony Brewer be elected Chairman of the Council until the next Annual Meeting.

The newly elected Chairman subscribed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office of Chairman pursuant to the provisions of Section 83 of the Local Government Act 1972 and thanked Members of the Council for his appointment.

 

Councillor Tony Brewer took the Chair.

Thanks were given to Former Councillor Glenys Maxwell in the following terms:-

 

Councillor Jason Zadrozny - Leader of the Council

“Thank you Mr. Chairman and may I be the first to congratulate you on actually taking your seat of office there.  Obviously it goes without saying that we owe an enormous debt of thanks to Glenys for what she’s done for this Council for the last eight years, and particularly over this last year.

 

She took over the stewardship of this Chamber during a year where she had lots of health problems, and when it was politically fraught and managed to still stay friendly with all sides of the Chamber and handle some of the most difficult Council meetings I’ve ever seen with a smile and the courage of her convictions.

 

She’s been a dedicated ward member for Sutton West and then Huthwaite and Brierley.  She is firmly a Huthwaite girl.  She cares very much about it, and has always championed the cause of the area there.  I think not only does this Chamber and the Councillors in it owe her enormous thanks for what she’s done but I think the residents of Ashfield do as well.

 

She’s been a fantastic ambassador.  She’s been a very great friend for a lot longer than she’s been a Council friend and I’ll miss her, for one, in this Chamber.

 

So, Councillor Maxwell it would be very remiss of me not to present, on behalf of the Council, some flowers, your certificate and the award on behalf of the Council.”

 

Councillor Tom Hollis - Deputy Leader of the Council

“Firstly, congratulations Tony it’s great to see you in the seat of Chairman.  I think it’s quite right to say you’ve been there from the beginning with all our Group and it’s a thoroughly deserved position, and I hope you and Pat really enjoy the year that’s ahead of you.

 

But Glenys, I’ve told Andrew already he’s got massive shoes to fill and I said to him, if he sets out to achieve it, he’s going to set out to fail and I think ultimately Huthwaite and Brierley, Sutton West as it was before, and the rest of Ashfield, really has been well served by you.

 

I feel quite lucky that you’ve been there on both sides of the coin, nipping at my heels when I’ve been doing stuff wrong as County Councillor and working with me on projects and it certainly will be a bit of a weird situation not having you sit here on the Council with us.  From my perspective working with you, against you and together it has been a real experience of which I’ve enjoyed all of it, and I certainly class you as a good friend of mine as well.

 

Sadly, you like a spicier curry than I do and I hope you don’t judge me on that!

But Glenys I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for Huthwaite. 

You know it’s a place I care  ...  view the full minutes text for item C.4

RESOLVED

that Councillor Andy Meakin be elected Vice Chairman of the Council until the next Annual Meeting.

Councillor Andy Meakin subscribed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office of Vice Chairman pursuant to the provisions of Section 83 of the Local Government Act 1972 and thanked Members of the Council for his appointment.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 13^th February and 4^th March, 2019, as now submitted, be received and approved.

Chairman

“Personally I have an announcement to make.  As Chairman I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to the Members for placing their faith in me to be the Chairman of the Council for the coming year.  I would particularly like to thank the residents of Skegby for again placing their faith in me to be their ward Councillor.

 

One of my greatest interests is our beautiful parks and open spaces we have across the District, many of which have green flag status.  I am very much looking forward to visit them in my year of office and helping our administration with our play parks strategy.

 

To be Vice Chairman of Ashfield District Council last year was an absolute honour and privilege and I embraced every single moment of it.  To be Chairman of the Authority this year, I will again, as I did as Vice Chairman, be representing my local towns and the place I call home.  It is an honour I will not only cherish but fulfil in a manner that will make the Council proud.

 

Right, as many of you may know, I work as a volunteer for Sherwood Hospital Trust.  Every Thursday morning, I make drinks and chat with the people in Clinic 15, a Welcome Treatment Centre, whilst they are undergoing their chemotherapy treatment. Clinic 14 Women’s and Children’s Centre and Clinic 15 form part of the Oncology Department at Kings Mill and they deliver an amazing service.

 

I’m sorry, this is all personal as you may know.  I am privileged to be part of the amazing work and care that they give to each individual and their families whilst they are experiencing probably the most difficult time in their lives.  Therefore, I am proud to announce that my chosen charity for the oncoming year will be the Oncology Department of Kings Mill.

 

All funds raised will be split between Clinics 14 and 15.  These are services that touch so many of us and I hope Members will be able to support my fundraising initiatives as we all know they do a wonderful job. 

 

Finally, one more thing is that I would like to thank Jason and all of you from here for all their support and helping me to be where I am now.  Without you I wouldn’t be here. Thank you all again.  Brilliant.”

 

 

 

RESOLVED

that subject to the requirements of the Council’s Constitution and in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 1.1 (vii), Councillor Jason Zadrozny be appointed Leader of the Council for a four year term of office.

(Scheme of Delegation to be circulated at the meeting – gray papers)

RESOLVED

that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 1.1(viii) and (ix), Council notes the composition of the Executive for the coming year, the names of Members appointed to the Cabinet (as outlined below) and the Scheme of Delegation for the Discharge of Executive Functions as advised by the Leader of the Council:-

 

Cabinet (10)	Portfolio	Executive Responsibility For:
Jason Zadrozny	Leader of the Council	·         Corporate Strategy and Performance ·         Commercialism ·         Commercial Investments and Property ·         Strategic Partnerships
Tom Hollis	Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Health and Leisure	·         To deputise for the Leader (subject to nomination by the Leader) ·         Strategic Leisure ·         Communities ·         Health and Wellbeing ·         Arts, Heritage and Culture ·         Corporate Events including Active Ashfield ·         Community Engagement
Helen-Ann Smith	Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Streets, Parks & Town Centres	·         To deputise for the Leader (subject to nomination by the Leader) ·         Streets ·         Parks and Open Spaces ·         Town Centres ·         Markets ·         Waste Management ·         Recycling ·         Transport ·         Cemeteries ·         Car Park Strategy
Matthew Relf	Portfolio Holder for Place, Planning & Regeneration	·         Discover Ashfield ·         Strategic Planning - Local Plan ·         Development Management ·         Regeneration and Economic Growth ·         Business Support
Daniel Williamson	Portfolio Holder for Community Safety	·         Community Safety Partnership ·         Anti-Social Behaviour ·         Community Protection ·         Safeguarding ·         CCTV ·         Community Cohesion ·         Combating Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
John Wilmott	Portfolio Holder for Regulatory Services	·         Environmental Services ·         Licensing ·         Building Control ·         Private Sector Enforcement ·         Aids and Adaptations ·         Disabled Facilities Grants
Samantha Deakin	Portfolio Holder for Customer Services and IT	·         Customer Services  ·         Corporate Risk Management ·         Health and Safety ·         Emergency Planning and Business Continuity  ·         IT Strategy ·         IT Security ·         IT Operations
David Martin	Portfolio Holder for Finance	·         Financial Strategy – including Medium Term Financial Strategy ·         Treasury Management ·         Capital Strategy and Programme ·         Revenues and Benefits ·         HR and Payroll ·         Strategic Procurement
David Hennigan	Portfolio Holder for Corporate Communications, Governance & Cross Portfolio Support	·         Corporate Communications ·         Website ·         Legal Services ·         Democratic and Scrutiny Services  ·         Electoral Services ·         Audit
Kier Barsby	Portfolio Holder for Housing	·         Housing Strategy ·         Tenancy Support, Management and Engagement ·         Housing Repairs ·         Housing Capital Investment ·         Maintenance of Council Assets and Property   ·         Homelessness

 

Reason:

Failure to report this information would be in breach of the Council’s Constitution.

Accordingly, the Council is requested to appoint the following Committees Panels and Working Groups (including appointment of Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and membership seats):-

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Scrutiny Panel A

Scrutiny Panel B

Planning Committee

Licensing Committee

Audit Committee

Local Joint Consultative Committee

Chief Officers’ Employment Committee

Standards and Personnel Appeals Committee

Charities Committee

Local Plan Working Group

(Schedule of committee memberships to be circulated at the meeting – blue papers)

Council was requested to determine the appointment of Committees, Panels and Working Groups including Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and membership seats for the ensuing year as per the Committee Membership Schedule as circulated.

 

RESOLVED that

a)    in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 1.3 (i) and (iv), the following Committees be appointed for the ensuing year:-

 

·         Overview and Scrutiny Committee

·         Scrutiny Panel A

·         Scrutiny Panel B

·         Planning Committee

·         Licensing Committee

·         Audit Committee

·         Local Joint Consultative Committee

·         Chief Officers’ Employment Committee

·         Standards and Personnel Appeals Committee

·         Charities Committee

·         Local Plan Working Group

 

b)    as a result of (a) above, the following appointments for Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and membership seats be approved:-

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee (7)

(6 Ashfield Independents, 1 Conservative)

Ciaran Brown

Melanie Darrington

Andrew Harding (Vice Chairman)

Sarah Jayne Madigan (Chairman)

Andy Meakin

Phil Rostance

Caroline Wilkinson

 

Scrutiny Panel A (7)

(6 Ashfield Independents, 1 Labour)

Ciaran Brown (Vice Chairman)

Melanie Darrington (Chairman)

Trevor Locke

Rachel Madden

Lauren Mitchell

Warren Nuttall

Caroline Wilkinson

 

Scrutiny Panel B (7)

(6 Ashfield Independents, 1 Conservative)

Tony Brewer

Christian Chapman (Chairman)

Dale Grounds

Rachel Madden

Phil Rostance

David Walters

Caroline Wilkinson (Vice Chairman)

 

Planning Committee (11)

(9 Ashfield Independents, 1 Conservative, 1 Labour)

Chris Baron

Ciaran Brown

Samantha Deakin

Dale Grounds (Vice Chairman)

Tom Hollis

Rachel Madden (Chairman)

David Martin

Lauren Mitchell

Helen Ann-Smith

Daniel Williamson

Jason Zadrozny

 

Licensing Committee (11)  

(10 Ashfield Independents, 1 Labour)

Keir Barsby

Jim Blagden

Tony Brewer

Ciaran Brown

Andy Gascoyne

Trevor Locke

Rachel Madden

Lauren Mitchell

Warren Nuttall (Chairman)

Caroline Wilkinson

John Wilmott

 

Audit Committee (7)

(6 Ashfield Independents, 1 Conservative)

John Baird

Christian Chapman

Melanie Darrington

Arnie Hankin

Kevin Rostance

Dave Shaw (Chairman)

David Walters

 

Charities Committee (7)

(6 Ashfield Independents, 1 Labour)

Tony Brewer

Andy Gascoyne

Sarah Jayne Madigan

Lauren Mitchell

John Smallridge (Chairman)

David Walters

Caroline Wilkinson

 

Chief Officers’ Employment Committee (7)

(6 Ashfield Independents, 1 Conservative)

Chris Baron

Kier Barsby

Tom Hollis

Dave Shaw

John Smallridge

Helen-Ann Smith

Jason Zadrozny

 

Standards and Personnel Appeals Committee (7)

(6 Ashfield Independents, 1 Conservative)

Jim Blagden

Christian Chapman

Warren Nuttall

Phil Rostance

Helen Ann-Smith

David Walters

Lee Waters (Chairman)

 

Local Plan Working Group (11)

(9 Ashfield Independents, 1 Conservative, 1 Labour)

Keir Barsby

Samantha Deakin

Tom Hollis

Rachel Madden

David Martin

Lauren Mitchell

Matthew Relf

Kevin Rostance

Helen-Ann Smith

Daniel Williamson

Jason Zadrozny

 

Local Joint Consultative Committee (7)

(Not subject to political balance rules)

Samantha Deakin

Tom Hollis

David Martin

Matthew Relf

Helen Ann-Smith

Daniel Williamson

Jason Zadrozny

 

Reason:

The Authority has a statutory duty at its Annual Meeting each year to make a determination as to political representation on its Committees, Panels and Working Groups in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government and Housing Act, 1989.

 

(During consideration of this item, Councillors Chris Baron, Daniel Williamson and Helen-Ann Smith left the room at 7.47pm, 7.48pm and 7.49pm and returned to the meeting at 7.51pm, 7.50pm and 7.50pm respectively.)

Council was requested to approve the updated Schedule of Council, Cabinet and Committee Meetings for 2019/20 as circulated at the meeting.

 

RESOLVED

that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 1.1(x), the Schedule of Council, Cabinet and Committee meetings for 2019/20, as circulated at the meeting, be approved.

 

Reason:

To ensure the Council has an agreed programme of meetings for 2019/20 to enable the Council’s decision making structure to operate effectively.

Council was requested to consider and approve the proposed changes to the Council’s Constitution as presented.

 

RESOLVED

that the proposed changes to the Council’s Constitution, as outlined in the report, be received and approved.

 

Reason:

To ensure that the Council’s Constitution remains up to date and fit for purpose.

 

(During consideration of this item, Councillor Sarah Jayne Madigan left the room at 7.57pm and returned to the meeting at 8.00pm.)

Council was requested to consider the introduction of a policy to appoint Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen.

 

RESOLVED

that the Policy for the Appointment of Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen, as presented, be received and approved.

 

Reason:

The appointment of Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen is a means of giving recognition to former Councillors of Ashfield District Council who in the opinion of the Council have rendered eminent service to the Council and the District.

 

(Schedule of appointments to outside bodies to be circulated at the meeting – pink papers)

Council was requested to nominate/appoint representatives to the Outside Bodies listed in the schedule circulated at the meeting.