The Chair will then take the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

(NOTE: Article 5.8 of the Constitution states that “Neither the Chair of the Council nor the Vice-Chair shall be a Member of the Strategy and Resources Committee”.)

Councillor Hunt, Chair of Council addressed Council and summarised her role over the past three years.  During this time, she had attended many engagements, there had been many highs and lows and she had learned many values and thanked everyone for their patience, empathy and kindness.  She had attended her final event today for the official opening of the new Ilfracombe Seafront Play Area.  She highlighted the Civic Services and Charity ball that she had held during this time and thanked everyone for supporting her and raising funding for various charities.  She thanked Councillor Walker for her support as Vice-Chair.  She also thanked the Chief Executive, Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer for their support.  She thanked the Chair’s secretary and the Corporate and Community Services team for their support.  She also thanked Councillor Worden for acting as chaplain and all Councillors and staff for their support which she was eternally grateful.

The Chair called for nominations.

It was moved by Councillor Worden and seconded by Councillor Cann “that Councillor Walker be appointed Chair of Council for the 2024/25 municipal year”.

Councillor Worden thanked Councillor Hunt for being Chair for the past three years and she had done an excellent job in representing the Council at many events.

Councillor Roome thanked Councillor Hunt on behalf of the Council for all that she had achieved over the past three years and for what she had achieved for the community.

Councillors Bushell, Crabb and Prowse echoed the comments made by Councillors Roome and Worden.

RESOLVED that Councillor Walker be appointed Chair of Council for the 2024/25 municipal year.

Councillor Hunt presented Councillor Walker with the chain of office.

Councillor Walker took the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and presented Councillor Hunt with a past chairs badge in recognition of her role as Chair of the Council.

The Vice-Chair will then take the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

(NOTE: Article 5.8 of the Constitution states that “Neither the Chair of the Council nor the Vice-Chair shall be a Member of the Strategy and Resources Committee”.)

The Chair called for nominations for the election of Vice-Chair of the Council for 2024/25.

It was moved by Councillor Roome and seconded by Councillor Bushell “that Councillor Worden be appointed Vice Chair of Council for the 2024/25 municipal year.”

RESOLVED that Councillor Worden be appointed Vice Chair of Council for the 2024/25 municipal year.

Councillor Walker presented Councillor Worden with the Vice-Chair chain.

Councillor Worden took the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and gave a speech of thanks for being elected.

Councillor Walker gave a speech of thanks for being elected Chair of Council.  She thanked Councillors for their support and thanked her predecessors Councillors Biederman and Hunt.  She was looking forward to working with Councillor Worden.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Lethaby, Maddocks, Patrinos, Renshaw and Turton.

(NB. Members only need to re-declare any interests previously declared at Committee and Sub-Committee meetings if the item is discussed at Council).

There were no declarations of interest received.

To consider the appointment of Leader of the Council for the 2024/25 municipal year.

It was moved by Councillor Worden and seconded by Councillor Prowse “that Councillor Roome be appointed Leader of the Council for the 2024/25 municipal year”.

RESOLVED that Councillor Roome be appointed Leader of the Council for the 2024/25 municipal year.

Councillor Roome thanked Council for re-appointing him as Leader of the Council for the next 12 months and that it had been a year of learning from being a Councillor previously in opposition and now Leader of a coalition Council.  He was confident that the Council could achieve the best for our communities and achieve things that other Councils were not able to.

To consider the appointment of Deputy Leader of the Council for the 2024/25 municipal year.

It was moved by Councillor P. Leaver and seconded by Councillor Stevenson “that Councillor Clayton be appointed as Deputy Leader of the Council for the 2024/25 municipal year”.

Councillor P. Leaver thanked Councillor Worden for his time as previously being both Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council.

RESOLVED that Councillor Clayton be appointed as Deputy Leader of the Council for the 2024/25 municipal year.

Councillor Clayton thanked Council for his appointment as Deputy Leader of the Council for the next 12 months which was a privilege and advised Council of his previous experience of being a Councillor and roles that he had fulfilled at Rochdale Council.

Report by Chief Executive (attached).

Council considered a report by the Chief Executive (circulated previously) regarding the appointment of committees for 2024/25.

Councillor Roome advised Council of amendments to be made to the following appointments:

·       Appendix A, Table 3 – add Councillor Norman to the Planning Committee Reserve List for substitutions

·       Appendix A, Table 5 – amend to change from Councillor Worden to Councillor Clayton for the following Local Government Association appointments:

o   South West Branch

o   District Council’s Network Assembly

It was moved by Councillor Roome and seconded by Councillor Bushell “that the recommendations as detailed on the agenda for items 8 (a) to (f) be approved subject to the following amendments:

·       Appendix A, Table 3 – add Councillor Norman to the Planning Committee Reserve List for substitutions

·       Appendix A, Table 5 – amend to change from Councillor Worden to Councillor Clayton for the following Local Government Association appointments:

o   South West Branch

o   District Council’s Network Assembly”

“That the Council appoints Committees and Joint Committees each with the total number of voting Members and Group allocations as shown in Tables 1 and 2 for the 2024/25 municipal year with the terms of reference set out in the Council’s constitution.”

RESOLVED that the Council appoints Committees and Joint Committees each with the total number of voting Members and Group allocations as shown in Tables 1 and 2 for the 2024/25 municipal year with the terms of reference set out in the Council’s constitution.

“That, as required by section 16(1) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, Members be appointed to Committees and Joint Committees in accordance with the names notified to the Chief Executive by each of the Political Groups represented on the Council, to give effect to the approved allocation of seats as determined at (a) above, as set out for the time being in Table 3 circulated at the meeting.”

RESOLVED that, as required by section 16(1) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, Members be appointed to Committees and Joint Committees in accordance with the names notified to the Chief Executive by each of the Political Groups represented on the Council, to give effect to the approved allocation of seats as determined at (a) above, as set out for the time being in Table 3 circulated at the meeting subject to Councillor Norman  being appointed to the Planning Committee Reserve list for substitutions.

“That the Council appoints Chairs and Vice-Chairs to the Committees and Joint Committees as set out in Table 4 circulated at the meeting for the 2024/25 municipal year.”

RESOLVED that the Council appoints Chairs and Vice Chairs to the Committees and Joint Committees as set out in Table 4 circulated at the meeting for the 2024/25 municipal year.

“That the Council appoints Members to the Local Government Association and South West Regional Chamber for the period 2024/25 as set out in Table 5 circulated at the meeting and that these appointments be approved duties.”

RESOLVED that the Council appoints Members to the Local Government Association and South West Regional Chamber for the period 2024/25 as set out in Table 5 circulated at the meeting subject to the appointments to the Local Government Association South West Branch and the District Council’s Network Assembly being amended to Councillor Clayton and that these appointments be approved duties.

“That alternative arrangements be made for the appointment of Members to the Appointments Committee in accordance with the powers set out in 3 Section 17 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the provisions of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990 and that the alternative arrangements provide that the membership of the Appointments Committee be not politically balanced”.

RESOLVED that alternative arrangements be made for the appointment of Members to the Appointments Committee in accordance with the powers set out in 3 Section 17 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the provisions of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990 and that the alternative arrangements provide that the membership of the Appointments Committee be not politically balanced and that Councillors Crabb, Prowse and Roome be appointed to the Committee

“That alternative arrangements be made for the appointment of Members to the Joint Planning Policy Committee in accordance with the powers set out in 3 Section 17 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the provisions of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990 and that the alternative arrangements provide that the membership of the Joint Planning Policy Committee be not politically balanced”.

RESOLVED that alternative arrangements be made for the appointment of Members to the Joint Planning Policy Committee in accordance with the powers set out in 3 Section 17 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the provisions of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990 and that the alternative arrangements provide that the membership of the Joint Planning Policy Committee be not politically balanced and that Councillors Bell, Crabb, Lane, Prowse, Roome, Walker and Worden be appointed to the Committee.

To consider the appointment of Councillor Bell to replace Councillor Bishop on the Citizens Advice Torridge, North, Mid and West Devon for the life of Council and that attendance at meetings be an approved duty.

It was moved by Councillor Roome and seconded by Councillor Maskell “that Councillor Bell be appointed to replace Councillor Bishop on the Citizens Advice Torridge, North, Mid and West Devon for the life of Council and that attendance at meetings be an approved duty”.

RESOLVED that Councillor Bell be appointed to replace Councillor Bishop on the Citizens Advice Torridge, North, Mid and West Devon for the life of Council and that attendance at meetings be an approved duty.

To consider the appointment of Councillor P. Leaver to replace Councillor Hunt on the Barnstaple and District Chamber of Commerce for the life of Council and that attendance at meetings be an approved duty.

It was moved by Councillor Roome and seconded by Councillor Maskell “that Councillor P. Leaver be appointed to replace Councillor Hunt on the Barnstaple and District Chamber of Commerce for the life of Council and that attendance at meetings be an approved duty”.

RESOLVED that Councillor P. Leaver be appointed to replace Councillor Hunt on the Barnstaple and District Chamber of Commerce for the life of Council and that attendance at meetings be an approved duty.