Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Paul Gardner, Sandra Thornberry and David Whitaker.

To admit as an Honorary Freeman of the City of Lancaster Mr Abbott Bryning, who in the opinion of the Council is a person of distinction and as such befits the highest award given by the City Council being bestowed upon him, and in connection therewith to pass the necessary resolution under Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Mayor announced that it gave her great pleasure to bestow the Council’s highest credit of Honorary Freeman of the City of Lancaster upon former Councillor Mr Abbott Bryning. The honour was given in accordance with the resolution of Council made at a special meeting held on 26 April 2023, in recognition of Abbott’s remarkable length of service and dedication to Lancaster City Council. 

Mr Bryning then subscribed to the Roll of Honorary Freemen.

The Mayor congratulated the new Honorary Freeman on behalf of the Council and presented him with a Scroll of Freedom under the Common Seal of the Council.

To give a Vote of Thanks to the retiring Mayor.

A vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor and Mayoress was moved by Councillor Blaikie  and seconded by Councillor Redfern.

On being put to the vote, the proposition was clearly carried.

The retiring Mayor responded.

Resolved:

(1)            That the best thanks of the City Council be conveyed to the retiring Mayor, Councillor Joyce Pritchard for the service rendered to the City during 2022/23 and for presiding over the deliberations of the City Council during that period.

(2)            That the best thanks of the City Council be conveyed to the retiring Mayoress, Amanda McGartland, for the manner in which she performed the many functions in her year of office.

To elect the Mayor of the City of Lancaster for the ensuing year.

It was moved by Councillor Budden and seconded by Councillor Redfern that Councillor Roger Dennison be elected Mayor of the City of Lancaster for the ensuing municipal year.

On being put to the vote, the Mayor declared the proposition clearly carried.

Resolved:

That Councillor Roger Dennison be elected Mayor of the City of Lancaster for the ensuing municipal year.

Councillor Dennison thereupon made and subscribed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office as required by Section 83(3) of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended before the Chief Executive as the proper officer of the Council.

The Chair was then vacated by Councillor Pritchard. .

A short interlude followed during which the children of Poulton-le-Sands Church of England Primary School sang to everyone from the stage in the Ashton Hall.

The Chair was then taken by the Mayor.

On taking the Chair, the Mayor expressed his thanks to the meeting and presented the retiring Mayor with her badge. The Mayoress, who could not be present due to work commitments, would receive her badge at a later date.

To elect a Deputy Mayor for the ensuing year.

Upon the invitation of the Mayor, Councillor Cooper proposed:-

“That Councillor Martin Bottoms be elected Deputy Mayor of the City of Lancaster for the ensuing municipal year”.

The proposition was seconded by Councillor Hamilton-Cox. 

On being put to the vote, the Mayor declared the proposition clearly carried.

Resolved:

That Councillor Bottoms be elected Deputy Mayor of the City of Lancaster for the ensuing municipal year.

Councillor Bottoms thereupon made and subscribed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office as required by Section 83(3) of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended before the Chief Executive as the proper officer of the Council.   

To appoint Councillor Robert Redfern, being the Member with the longest unbroken service with the City Council, to the honorary post of Father of the Council.

The Mayor invited Councillor Wood to speak.

Councillor Wood proposed that Councillor Redfern be appointed Father of the Council. Councillor Redfern being the Elected Member with the longest unbroken service with the City Council.

Councillor Cleet seconded Councillor Wood’s proposal, which was clearly carried when put to the vote.

Councillor Redfern was presented with the Father of the Council badge by the Mayor.

Resolved:

That Councillor Redfern, the Elected Member with the longest unbroken service with the City Council, be elected Father of the Council.

To present Certificates of Service to outgoing Councillors in recognition of their contribution to the Council for a period of at least two full terms of office.

It was proposed by Councillor Dowding and seconded by Councillor Gardiner:

‘That the Council present a Certificate of Service to those retiring Councillors who have been in office for a period of at least two full terms, in recognition of their contribution to the Council.’

On being put to the vote the Mayor declared the proposition clearly carried.

Resolved:

That the Council present a Certificate of Service to the following former Councillors in recognition of their contribution to the Council for a period of at least two full terms of office:

Tony Anderson

Alan Biddulph

Darren Clifford

June Greenwell 

Mel Guilding

Joan Jackson

Anne Whitehead

To receive any announcements which may be submitted by the Mayor or the Chief Executive.

The Mayor thanked all the school children who had attended to watch the proceedings from the balcony. He gave special thanks to the children from Poulton-le-Sands Church of England primary school who sang during the interval.