Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Abbott Bryning, Jason Firth, Kevin Frea, Stuart Morris, Paul Stubbins and Luke Taylor.

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the City Council held on 15 March 2023 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2023 were signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

To receive declarations by Councillors of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Councillors are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Councillors should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Councillors are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

No declarations of interest were made.

The Mayor reported the sad death of Honorary Alderman David Kerr following a long battle with cancer.

Honorary Alderman Kerr was elected in 1999 and served in Harbour Ward and later Westgate ward. He stood down from the Council in 2015.

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Members stood in a minute’s silence in his memory.

To receive questions in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rules 11.1 and 11.3 which require members of the public to give at least 3 days’ notice in writing of questions to a Member of Cabinet or Committee Chairman. 

The Mayor advised that no questions had been received from members of the public in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 11.

The Mayor informed Members that no petitions or requests to address Council had been received from members of the public.

The Leader presented her report updating Members on various issues since her last report to Council.

Resolved:

That the report be noted. 

To receive the annual report of the Mayor.

In accordance with Part 1, paragraph 7.1(i) of the Constitution, the Mayor presented her Annual Report for 2022/23. 

She agreed to provide a written answer to Councillor Robinson, who asked how much she had raised for her chosen charities in her Mayoral year.

Resolved:

That the report be received.

To receive the Cabinet’s Annual Report containing the Business Progress Reports of the Leader and each Cabinet Member in accordance with Part 2, Section 4 of the Council’s Constitution [paragraphs 3.1 (j) and 5.1(m)].

The reports of individual Cabinet Members are included in this agenda and will be presented at the meeting.

In accordance with Part 2, Section 4 paragraph 3.1(j) of the Constitution, the Leader and each Member of Cabinet had produced a written progress report for 2022/23. 

The Leader presented her annual report and answered a number of questions.

Councillors Brookes, Dowding, Hamilton-Cox, Heath, Matthews, Thornberry, Whitehead and Wood then presented their annual reports and responded to Members’ questions.

Councillor Frea was not present to speak to his report, having given apologies for the meeting. Councillor Gardiner asked about electric vehicle explosions, requesting information on how staff are safeguarded and what health and safety training they have received in this regard.

Resolved:

That the reports of Cabinet Members Councillors Brookes, Dowding, Frea, Hamilton-Cox, Heath, Matthews, Thornberry, Whitehead and Wood be received.

To receive the Annual Report of Overview and Scrutiny.

In accordance with Part 2, Section 5 paragraph 9.13 of the Constitution, the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2022/23 had been published and was presented to Council by the Chairman, Councillor Austen-Baker.

Councillor Joan Jackson presented the content relating to the Budget and Performance Panel.

Resolved:

That the Overview & Scrutiny Annual Report be received.

To receive the Annual Report of the Audit Committee.

In accordance with Part 3, Section 5 paragraph 6.30 of the Council’s Constitution, the Chairman, Councillor Stubbins, had submitted the 2022/23 Annual Report of the Audit Committee.

Councillor Stubbins was not present at the meeting, having given apologies. Vice-Chair Councillor Yates presented the report on Councillor Stubbins’ behalf. .

Resolved:

That the report be received.  

Group Administrators to report any changes to Committee Membership.  

There were no changes to report.

To receive questions in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rules 12.2 and 12.4 which require a Member to give at least 3 working days’ notice, in writing, of the question to the Chief Executive. 

No questions had been submitted.

To receive the Minutes of Meeting of Cabinet held 28 February and 14 March, 2023. 

Council considered the Cabinet minutes of the meetings held on 28 February and 14 March 2023.

Resolved:

That the minutes be noted.