Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Botterill, de Burle, Glancy, and Higgins.  Councillor Greenow apologised for his late arrival.  Councillor Hurrell was not present.

To include Mayor’s Outgoing Speech.

The Outgoing Mayor

(1)  said that his second term of office had passed as quickly as when he had been Mayor for the first time.  During his year, he and the Mayoress had attended many engagements throughout the Borough and beyond.  Special highlights had included the Civic Service in Bottesford, the Freedom of the Borough Parade for HMS Quorn, the Afternoon Tea celebrations for HM The Queens’ 90th birthday – and more recently being in the presence of Her Majesty and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at the Royal Maundy Community Lunch in Leicester;

(2)  referred to his charity appeal fund which was currently standing at nearly £5000 and was expected to close at nearly £6000.  Councillor Illingworth then mentioned a pledge he had made to the Mayor to donate a sum when embarking on a weight loss regime.  In that regard, Councillor Illingworth presented the Outgoing Mayor with a cheque for £250 towards his appeal and with his Melton Lions hat on, Councillor Illingworth said a further cheque would be presented from the proceeds of the sponsorship raised by this year’s Swimarathon event.

(3)  concluded by thanking the following:

•           Councillors, Officers and staff for their support;

•           The Mayor’s Cadet, Cadet Corporal Samuel Page and the various local ministers who had assisted at civic events and given prayers at Full Council meetings;

•           Chief Executive, Mrs Lynn Aisbett.  The Mayor referred to this being the last annual meeting of the council before Mrs Aisbett retired and as a special thank you he presented her with a bouquet of flowers;

•           The civic officer, Mrs Lena Shuttlewood whom the Mayor then presented with a bouquet of flowers and expressed his appreciation for her professionalism and ensuring that the civic year had run smoothly;

•           The Mayoress, Mrs Maureen Wright, for her support and dedication to the role.

To elect the Mayor for the period until the Annual Meeting in 2018.

Councillor Graham proposed that Councillor Bains be elected Mayor of the Borough until the Annual Meeting in 2018.  In support of his nomination for Councillor Bains, Councillor Graham recalled the first annual meeting he had attended at which the late Bernard Ludwig had been invested as Mayor; the role, he said, was very varied and how the person conducted themselves reflected on how the Borough as a whole was seen.  The secret to being a good Mayor was enthusiasm and Councillor Bains had demonstrated such unadulterated enthusiasm to date that it was obvious he was determined to enjoy every aspect of the role.  Councillor Graham commended Councillor Bains’ parents for the start they had given him in life and was sure he had repaid them tonight by making them very proud.

Councillor Posnett seconded the nomination and briefly spoke on Councillor Bains’ qualities and energy he would bring to the role.  Councillor Posnett referred to Councillor Bains being the youngest Mayor the Council had elected but said that he knew exactly want he wanted to achieve and how to do it.  It was wonderful to see him supported by his friends and family and speaking as a past Mayor herself, said he would enjoy the year as it would leave him with memories that would last a lifetime.

On the motion being put to the vote, the motion was carried unanimously. 

RESOLVED that Councillor Bains be elected Mayor of the Borough of Melton for the period until the Annual Meeting in 2018.

(a)  To invest the Mayor and Mayoress/Consort

(New Mayor in the Chair)

(b)  The Mayor to give thanks for his/her election.

Councillor Bains read and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office. 

Councillor Wright invested Councillor Bains with the Chain of Office.  

The Mayoress then invested Mrs Rajbinder Bains with the Mayoress Chain of

Office.

(The new Mayor, Councillor Bains, in the Chair.)

Councillor Bains thanked his proposer and seconder for nominating him and

•           thanked the outgoing Mayor and Mayoress for the excellent job they had done in representing the Borough and for being a source of guidance for him;

•           thanked Councillors Graham and Posnett for nominating and seconding him

•           gave a special thank you to Councillor Greenow.  Councillor Bains also thanked Councillor Posnett for her year as Leader of the Council;;

•           referred to the large number of family, friends and colleagues present to witness his investiture, paying particular tribute to his parents, grandparents and siblings;

•           thanked Professor and Mrs Sharma, immediate past High Sheriff of Leicestershire and his wife, for attending tonight whom he saw as great role models;

•           said he had challenged himself to become the Borough’s first Asian Mayor and acknowledged that to become the first of anything was difficult.  However, he would endeavour to put his all into being the best Mayor he could be and build on the legacy of previous Mayors;

•           paid tribute to his late grandfather who would have been proud to have been at the meeting tonight and to the late Councillor Valerie Manderson for her warmth and kindness;

•           announced that this chosen Mayoral charities would be the LOROS Hospice and the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society – East and West Midlands.  As a member of the Melton Mowbray Round Table he was keen to look into fund raising activities.

To receive a vote of thanks for the retiring Mayor and Consort.

Councillor Graham proposed a vote of thanks for the retiring Mayor and Consort. Both Councillor Wright and Mrs Wright had carried out their roles with dignity and, had planned their year immaculately.

Councillor Posnett seconded the vote of thanks commending them for being excellent ambassadors for the Borough of Melton.  She endorsed Councillor Graham’s remarks about how Councillor Wright had ensured everything had run like clockwork and attributed this to the support and organisational abilities of the Mayoress and Mrs Shuttlewood.

RESOLVED that a vote of thanks be recorded for the retiring Mayor and Mayoress..

To elect the Deputy Mayor for the period until the Annual Meeting in 2018.

Councillor Holmes proposed that Councillor Chandler be elected Deputy Mayor for the period until the Annual Meeting in 2018.  In so doing, Councillor Holmes spoke about Councillor Chandler’s background, upbringing and her interests.  Councillor Chandler had served on the Bottesford Parish Council for many years as well as representing the ward of Bottesford on the Borough Council.  Councillor Holmes paid tribute to Councillor Chandler’s hard work stating that she was always thoroughly prepared and went the extra mile in her work for residents and the Council.  She made an excellent candidate for Deputy Mayor.

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Baguley who said Councillor Chandler worked hard for the Council and she was delighted to support her nomination.

Upon being put to the vote, the proposal was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED that Councillor Chandler be elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Melton for the period until the Annual Meeting in 2018

(a)  To invest the Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress/Consort.

(b)  The Deputy Mayor to give thanks for his/her election.

(a)       Councillor Chandler read and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office. 

Councillor Bains then invested Councillor Chandler with the Deputy Mayor’s Chain of Office. 

(b) Councillor Chandler gave thanks for her election and thanked her proposer and seconder for their nomination.  She referred to the Mayor being one of youngest Members and herself as one of the oldest but said this would be a good blend and she looked forward to the year ahead.

To elect the Leader of the Council for the period until the Annual Meeting in 2018.

Councillor Pearson proposed that Councillor Orson be appointed Leader of the Council for the period until the Annual Meeting in 2018.  In so doing, Councillor Pearson commented on the exciting and challenging times facing the Council.  He said that Councillor Orson was very inclusive, fair and competent and would lead the Council through this change into the future.

Councillor Simpson seconded the proposal

On being put to the vote, the motion was carried. 

RESOLVED that Councillor Orson be appointed Leader of the Council for the period until the Annual Meeting in 2018.

To receive the report of the Leader.

The Leader thanked everyone for electing him and congratulated Councillor Bains and Mrs Bains on their investiture expressing confidence that Councillor Bains would carry out the role with dignity, but also with a sense of fun. He also congratulated Councillor Chandler and hoped she would find the role of Deputy Mayor both enjoyable and rewarding.

In his report, Councillor Orson

(a)  stated he was no longer a member of the County Council’s Cabinet so that he could fully devote his time to the role of Leader of Melton Borough Council and also avoid any potential conflicts of interests;

(b)  welcomed Councillors Freer-Jones and Faulkner back to the Council;

(c)  referred to his interest in the theory of team sport and explain how this could be applied to the ethos of the Council;

(d) explained he had two equal key priorities for the Council; one was the completion of the Melton Local Plan and the second was the Melton bypass.  In relation to the Local Plan, the consultation had resulted on recommendations on the way forward and this would be debated soon by the Council,  The bypass scheme was moving apace; surveyors were on site on the eastern side of the town and landowners had received letters from the County Council.  He commended the local MP, Sir Alan Duncan, for his help in moving the project forward.  As 4,000 new homes would be needed to help fund the scheme, it was vital the final Local Plan was deemed sound;

(e)   reported on a number of the Council’s other major schemes: phase 1 of the Cattle Market redevelopment was moving to  the next stage with a ‘soft opening’ the following week.  Phase 2 of the scheme was also progressing and funders were looking sympathetically at it.  The re-tendering of the kerbside collection service had attracted healthy competition from contractors.  The Leisure Vision was at a crucial and exciting stage now;

(f)    acknowledged the financial challenges facing the Council which meant that it needed to step up its commercialisation agenda.  The appointment of a new Chief Executive would be decided soon and advised that he intended to remodel the structure of the authority working with the new appointee;

(g)   advised on his proposal to rename the Rural, Economic and Environmental Affairs Committee by dropping the word ‘rural’ so that it sounded more inclusive.  This would be referred to the next meeting of the Council for discussion;

(h)    concluded by referring to his previous representation on the council for both the rural and town areas, urging all Members to work together for “Team Melton” and deliver on the promises made by the Council.

To elect the Deputy Leader of the Council for the period until the Annual Meeting in 2018.

Councillor Sheldon proposed that Councillor Higgins be appointed as Deputy Leader of the Council. 

Councillor Beaken seconded the proposal.

On being put to the vote, the motion was carried.

RESOLVED that Councillor Higgins be appointed Deputy Leader of the Council for the period until the Annual Meeting in 2018.

In accordance with Article 2 of the Constitution, paragraph 2.2(e), to appoint a Leader of the Opposition, being the Leader of the largest group.

The Chief Executive reported that as a result of the Council’s political balance following the result of the two by-elections held on 4 May 2017, and notification received from the two Single Councillors, there was no Leader of the Opposition .

The Mayor

(a)       reiterated details of his chosen charities and that he would be looking at fund   raising events to support them;

(b)       referred to a number of his first engagements;

(c)        asked Members to note the following dates for key civic events:

Fly the Flag for Armed Forces Day – 19 June 2017

Civic Dinner – 17 November 2017

Carols by Candlelight Service – 14 December 2017

Civic Service at St Mary’s Parish Church – 4 March 2018

The Chief Executive to submit a report which requests that the Council consider and determine the allocation of seats on Committees and Sub Committees for the period to the Annual Meeting in 2018 in accordance with the political balance rules set out in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, S15-17 (as amended).  The report requests the Council to consider

(a)  the proposals of the political groups for membership on each Committee and Sub Committee as well as each group’s Committee Spokespersons and Consultees for the period to the Annual Meeting in 2018;

(b) the positions of Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of Committees and Sub Committees for the period to the Annual Meeting in 2018;

(c)  membership of Forums, Partnerships and Working Groups for the period to the Annual Meeting in 2018;

(d) appointments to Outside Organisations for the period to the Annual Meeting in 2017;

(e)  Lead Members for the period to the Annual Meeting in 2018.

Members had before them the Chief Executive’s report with the appendices  tabled at the meeting which asked the Council to note the allocation of seats on Committees and  Sub-Committees in accordance with the political balance rules set out in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, S15-17 (as amended) and receive nominations of Councillors to serve on each Committee and the Sub-Committees as well as the Conservative Group’s Committee Spokespersons and Consultees, appointments of Chairs and Vice Chairs, Forums, Partnerships, Working Groups, Outside Organisations and Lead Members for the period to the Annual Meeting in 2018.

Councillor Wyatt withdrew his nomination for lead Member for Arts/Heritage.

RESOLVED that

(1)       the political balance percentages and number of seats allocated to each political group as set out in the table below be noted :-

(2)       the allocation of Councillors to each Committee and Sub-Committee as set out below and the nominations as submitted by the Conservative Group Leader for the period to the Annual Meeting in 2018 be as follows :-

Political balance required: