Meeting documents

(i)      To elect the Chairman of the Council for the year 2018/2019.

(ii)     The Chairman of the Council to invite nominations for the election of Chairman for 2018/2019.

(iii)    Councillor P Turner seconded by Councillor S Raja to propose that Councillor A R Green be elected Chairman of the Council for 2018/2019.

(iv)    The Chairman of the Council to ask if there are any other nominations.

(v)     The Chairman of the Council to put the nomination(s) to the meeting.

(vi)    The Chairman of the Council to declare Councillor A R Green duly elected.

(vii)   Councillor A R Green to accept office and make the necessary declaration and to be presented with the Chairman’s Chain.

(viii)  Mrs Green to be presented with the Chairman’s Consort’s badge and a bouquet.

(ix)    The incoming Chairman of the Council to address the Council.               

(x)     Vote of thanks to the retiring Chairman, Councillor Miss S Brown to be proposed by Councillor R Gaffney and seconded by Councillor Z Ahmed.

(xi)    Councillor Miss S Brown to respond.

(xii)   The Chairman of the Council to present to Councillor Miss S Brown a past Chairman’s badge. 

It was proposed by Councillor P R Turner that Councillor A R Green be elected as Chairman of the Council for the 2018/19 municipal year.

The proposer gave a brief history of Councillor Green`s long serving background stating that it was with huge pleasure to propose a highly respected and hardworking Councillor, who had been elected to WDC in 1999 in the ward of Terriers and Amersham Hill. Having previously served for 15 years on the Council at the London Borough of Lambeth, Councillor Green had also been Deputy Leader on 2 occasions. He had also held the positions of Cabinet Member for Older and Younger People and Economic Development and Regeneration. He currently served as Chairman of the High Wycombe Town Committee, and also represented the Council on the Board of High Wycombe Bidco and on the Board of Wycombe Heritage and Arts Trust. Moreover he had been instrumental in overseeing the transformation of High Wycombe museum to trust status.  

Councillor Turner concluded by stating that Councillor Green`s vast experience put him in good stead to carry out the duties of Chairman of the Council and in representing the district as a whole during the forthcoming year.  

In seconding the proposal, Councillor S Raja echoed the sentiments expressed by the proposer, and wholeheartedly agreed that Councillor Green would make an excellent Chairman.

Upon there being no other nominations and upon being put to a vote it was

RESOLVED: That Councillor A R Green be elected a Chairman for the Municipal Year 2018/19.

Councillor A R Green thereupon accepted office, made the necessary declaration and was presented with the Chairman`s chain. Mrs Green was presented with the Chairman`s Consort`s badge and a bouquet.

Councillor A R Green in the Chair

The Chairman rose to thank the proposer and seconder for their kind words, and all of his fellow Councillors for showing trust and confidence in him. He also wished to thank and congratulate the outgoing Chairman on what had proved to be a very successful year.

The Chairman then went onto express how honoured he was to be serving as Chairman on this his 20^th year as Member of this Council and how he intended to perform the role to the best of his ability proving to be a good ambassador for the Council. He stated that he relished the opportunity to serve as chairman of this a solvent well run Authority with competent Members and officers who had worked hard for the people of Wycombe over the past 40 years. Councillor Green then took the opportunity to thank his wife Debbie for the unwavering support she had given him over the years which had enabled him to fulfil his duties as Councillor. She would also be by his side as his consort during his forthcoming year of office.

The Chairman announced that the theme for the year would be the Arts, which in the current times of tightened budgets was often overlooked. During the year he hoped very  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

To appoint the Vice-Chairman of the Council for the year 2018/2019.

(i)      The Chairman of the Council to ask for nominations for Vice-Chairman for the year 2018/2019.

(ii)     Councillor A R Green seconded by Councillor D Johncock to propose that Councillor P R Turner be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council for 2018/2019.

(iii)    The Chairman of the Council to ask if there are any other nominations.

(iv)    The Chairman to put the nomination to the vote.

(v)     Councillor P R Turner to accept office and sign the necessary declaration and to be presented with the Vice-Chairman’s badge.

Councillor A R Green rose to propose that Councillor P R Turner be appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Municipal Year 2018/19.

He stated that Councillor Turner had been a Member for Downley and Plomer Hill since 2011 and was appointed the spokesman for Finance in 2012. He had also assumed the position of Deputy Cabinet Member for HR ICT & Customer Services in 2013. Most notably he was appointed as Chairman of the Planning Committee in 2015, and currently also served on the Board of Red Kite Housing and Wycombe Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme. It was stated that Councillor Turner having been born and raised in Wycombe had a great depth of knowledge and experience which would be put to good use in his position as Vice Chairman.

The proposal was seconded by Councillor D Johncock who fully concurred with the proposer`s comments. He stated that Councillor Turner was an experienced Member fully deserving of this role. He highlighted that having known and worked closely with him over the last 3 years in his capacity of Cabinet Member for Planning, Councillor Turner had shown outstanding chairmanship qualities and ability managing meetings effectively whilst encouraging Members to express a view.  His ability to demonstrate common sense and work with people inn a calm understanding and sensitive manner would no doubt stand him in good stead to serve as Vice-Chairman

RESOLVED: That Councillor P R Turner be elected as Vice- Chairman for the Municipal Year 2018/19.

Councillor P R Turner thereupon accepted office, made the necessary declaration and was presented with the Vice- Chairman`s badge of office.

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Honorary Aldermen: P Cartwright, M Oram and Mrs K M Peatey. Councillors: M Asif, D Barnes, H Bull, Mrs L Clarke (OBE), C Etholen, G Peart, S Saddique, A Turner and C Whitehead.

To receive any disclosure of disclosable pecuniary interests by Members relating to items on the agenda. If any member is uncertain as to whether an interest should be disclosed, he or she is asked if possible to contact the District Solicitor prior to the meeting.

Members are reminded that if they are declaring an interest they should state the nature of that interest whether or not they are required to withdraw from the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest

To receive such communications as the Chairman of the Council may wish to make.

The Chairman drew attention to the following 2 events.

(a)  Charity Ball – Friday 14 September 2018 to be held at the Old Town Hall to raise money for 2 charities which were of particular interest. The museum, which was run by Wycombe Arts and Heritage Trust and for the Wycombe Arts Centre in Desborough Road.

(b)  Quiz Night – The Chairman invited Cllr Ms A Baughan to address the meeting. She informed the meeting that the event would be held on 21 July 2018 at Wycombe Arts Centre. Funds raised would be shared between the Mayors chosen charity and the Arts centre. Activities would also include food and raffle. More information would follow in due course.

To receive formal notification of the Group Leaders and Deputy Leaders of the political groups for the year 2018/2019.

Group                        Leader                       Deputy Leader

Conservative               Cllr Ms K Wood           Cllr D H G Barnes

Labour                        Cllr R Raja                  Cllr K Ahmed

East Wycombe

Independent Party       Cllr M Knight               Cllr Ms A Baughan

The Council received formal notification that the Leaders and Deputy Leaders of the political groups for 2018/19 would be as follows:

Group                            Leader                           Deputy Leader

Conservative                 Cllr Ms K Wood            Cllr D H G Barnes

Labour                            Cllr R Raja                     Cllr K Ahmed

East Wycombe

Independent Party       Cllr M Knight                 Cllr Ms A Baughan

The Executive Leader is required to submit to the Annual Meeting of the Council:

•   details of the Executive ("Cabinet") positions and post holders

•   details of any Cabinet committees

•   responsibilities and schemes of delegation for executive arrangements’

•   details of any joint arrangements

•   appointments to outside bodies within the Cabinet’s functional areas for the forthcoming year

The matters set out in (i) to (viii) below are therefore approved and submitted to the Council in order to comply with the Council’s approved Leader and Cabinet Executive political management model and the Council’s approved Constitution.

(i)     (a)     To note that the Executive Leader has appointed Councillor D H G Barnes as Deputy Executive Leader for the purpose of carrying out the Leader’s statutory functions (including e.g. appointing and removing Cabinet Members and Deputy Executive Leader, delegating executive functions to Cabinet, to Cabinet Members or to officers, agreeing or objecting to senior appointments and dismissals);

          (b)     To note that the Leader has appointed Councillor D H G Barnes as Deputy Leader for the purpose of carrying out the remaining (Portfolio) functions of the Leader as set out in the terms of reference and responsibilities of Cabinet Members in the event that the Leader is unable to act through absence, illness, legal disability or conflict of interest, or the circumstances are so urgent that it is appropriate for a Deputy Leader to take a decision in order to protect the interests of the authority or its area.

          (c)     To note that the Leader of the Council has made the following appointments in respect of Cabinet positions and post holders.

(ii)     Cabinet positions and post holders            

 (iii)  Cabinet terms of reference and responsibilities of individual portfolio holders

These are to be as set out in Part 2 of the Constitution.

(iv)    Cabinet Committee terms of reference

         Any proposal to set up  ...  view the full agenda text for item 7.

The Executive Leader rose to present her report but prior to this took the opportunity to congratulate the incoming Chairman on his well- deserved election wishing him a very successful year ahead.

She stated that she was honoured to be entering the 4^th year of her leadership with this having been a particularly busy year with many new projects coming to the fore. The Leader gave mention to some of the work that had been undertaken in recent months. Plans were underway for the nursery at Handy Cross which would soon be joined by a hotel. Affordable housing and temporary accommodation was also being worked upon with a reference being made to the Local Plan which had been submitted in March. Members were also informed that WDC was recognised widely in Government for the projects undertaken. Two recent awards received had led to the receipt of some £19 million of funding towards infrastructure for the housing developments in Princes Risborough and Abbey Barn Lane, alongside another half million for the purpose of cleaning up disused land at Bassetsbury in order to enable the development of more affordable homes. The Leader also referenced the recognition that the Council had received nationally for the local initiative of Healthy Homes on Prescription which was designed to support residents` independent living at home.

Another achievement highlighted was Wycombe`s rating as 17<sup>th</sup> out of 324 local authority areas. This being the highest ranking in the whole area of Bucks. The determining factor had been based upon economic prosperity, health and happiness and inclusion and equality. This had the Leader stated confirmed Wycombe Council`s standing as an ambitious and forward thinking council with a proud track record of delivery.

Attention was also drawn to the uncertainty of the forthcoming year as a result of the modernising Local Government debate in Buckinghamshire and the changes that it may bring. The Leader emphasised that it had become clear to her that there was overwhelming for 2 unitary Councils divided between North and South of the County, and that in the meantime it was very much business as usual pending the final decision. She urged everyone to submit their opinions and views to the Minister prior to the 25^th May deadline for representations. 

The matters set out in agenda items 9 (i) to (vii) below were then submitted to the Council in order to comply with the Council`s approved Leader and Cabinet Executive political management model and the Council`s approved constitution.

(i)        (a)     It was noted that the Executive Leader had appointed Councillor D H  G Barnes as Deputy Executive Leader for the purpose of carrying out the Leader’s statutory functions (including e.g. appointing and removing Cabinet Members and Deputy Executive Leader, delegating executive functions to Cabinet, to Cabinet Members or to officers, agreeing or objecting to senior appointments and dismissals);

          (b)     It was noted that the Leader had appointed Councillor D H G Barnes as Deputy Leader for the purpose of carrying out  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Committees of the Council are appointed annually under Section 102 of the Local Government 1972.

In accordance with Sections 15 to 17 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, it is the duty of the Council (save in relation to certain Committees where different arrangements are approved by the Council) to make appointments to Committees which reflect the representation of different political groups on the Council and in accordance with the wishes of those political groups.

The current political composition of the Council is:-

(i)      Improvement and Review Commission

(ii)     Standards Committee

(iii)    Planning Committee

(iv)    Regulatory and Appeals Committee

Committees of the Council were appointed annually under Section 102 of the Local Government 1972.

In accordance with Sections 15 to 17 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, it was the duty of the Council (save in relation to certain Committees where different arrangements were approved by the Council) to make appointments to Committees which reflected the representation of different political groups on the Council and in accordance with the wishes of those political groups.

RESOLVED: That (i) the following Committees be appointed with the memberships as set out below in accordance with political balance requirements as notified by Group Leaders.

(ii)     the appointments be made for the forthcoming year

(iii)    the positions of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman be as set out.

(i)      Improvement and Review Commission

(ii)     Standards Committee

(iii)    Planning Committee

To confirm formally the above appointments, as set out in Part 2 of the Constitution.

RESOLVED: That the Scheme of Delegation non-Executive functions as set out in part 2 of the Constitution be approved.

Members and guests are invited to join the Chairman and Honorary Aldermen for refreshments.

Members, guests and officers were invited to join the Chairman and Honorary Aldermen for refreshments at the close of the meeting.