Agenda and minutes

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda.

If you have a pecuniary interest you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

There were no declarations of interest received.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the last meeting of the Council held on 11 April 2017 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Mayor.

To formally elect the Mayor of the Borough for 2017/18.

It was formally proposed by Councillor John Walker, and seconded by Councillor Keith Iddon, that Councillor Mark Perks be elected as Mayor of the Borough of Chorley for the forthcoming Council Year.

All other political group leaders spoke in support of the appointment.

RESOLVED – that Councillor Mark Perks be elected as Mayor of the Borough of Chorley for the forthcoming Council year.

Councillor Mark Perks thanked Members for his appointment to the role of Mayor of the Borough, and announced that Mrs Pat Haughton would be his Mayoress for the year.

To formally elect the Deputy Mayor of the Borough for 2017/18.

It was formally proposed by Councillor Anthony Gee, and seconded by Councillor Adrian Lowe, that Councillor Margaret Lees be elected as Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Chorley for the forthcoming Council Year.

All other political group leaders spoke in support of the appointment.

RESOLVED – that Councillor Margaret Lees be elected as Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Chorley for the forthcoming Council year.

Councillor Margaret Lees thanked Members for her appointment to the role of Deputy Mayor of the Borough and announced that Councillor Roy Lees would be her Deputy Consort for the year.

There was a brief adjournment to allow the Retiring Mayor and her Consort, the newly elected Mayor and his Mayoress, and the newly elected Deputy Mayor and her Consort to exchange Mayoral robes and badges of office in the Mayor’s Parlour.

On resuming the meeting, Councillor Perks signed the declaration of acceptance of office of Mayor, and Councillor Lees signed the declaration of acceptance of office of Deputy Mayor.

Councillor Mark Perks in the Chair

The Mayor thanked Councillors for his appointment and Mrs Pat Haughton for agreeing to act as his Mayoress. He announced that Reverend John Cree would act as his Chaplain for the year and that his chosen charities would be Lancashire Mind and Young Addaction. 

The Retiring Mayor will receive a vote of thanks for her year in office.

The Mayor referred to the Retiring Mayor, Councillor Doreen Dickinson’s outstanding year of office, which he would find difficult to follow. He congratulated her on her achievement and thanked her family for their support for the Mayoral role.

Political group leaders also paid tribute to the Retiring Mayor and her Consort for a successful year in office, in particular highlighting her skydive in aid of charity.

Councillor Doreen Dickinson responded, thanking Councillors for their kind words and support over the year. She had enjoyed her year in office and was grateful to her family for their support and also to the staff of the Mayoral and Civics team for their help and advice and the organisation of charity events. She had raised £14,425 for her chosen charities of the Alzheimer’s Society, North West Air Ambulance and St Catherine’s Hospice.

To receive a report of the Executive Leader (to follow).

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader presented a report informing the Council of his appointments to the Executive Cabinet and portfolio support roles for 2017/18 which were as follows:

RESOLVED – that the appointments be noted.

To approve the appointment of Members of the Council to Committees, Working Groups, etc and to note shadow appointments for 2017/18 (report to follow).

Members considered two reports under this item. Firstly a report of the Director of Policy and Governance proposing changes to the Shared Services Joint Committee with South Ribble Council, in preparation for developing more extensive shared service arrangements between the two Councils.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader proposed, Councillor Peter Wilson Deputy Leader seconded, and it was RESOLVED – that the revised terms of reference for the Shared Services Joint Committee with South Ribble Council be agreed as set out in the report.

The Council then considered a schedule of nominations for the appointment of committees, working groups and panels in accordance with the political balance of the Council, together with nominations to Chair and Vice Chair positions and a list of shadow portfolio positions.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader proposed, Councillor Peter Wilson Deputy Leader seconded, and it was RESOLVED – that the following appointments be approved for 2017/18.

To appoint Members of the Council to represent the Authority on outside bodies in 2017/18 (report to follow).

A schedule of nominations for the appointment of Council representatives on outside bodies for the forthcoming Council year was circulated.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader proposed and Councillor Peter Wilson, Deputy Leader seconded and it was RESOLVED – that the Council appointments to outside bodies for 2017/18 be approved as follows:

To note the programme of Council Meetings for 2017/18:

·         Tuesday, 25 July 2017 at 6.30pm

·         Tuesday 19 September 2017 at 6.30pm

·         Tuesday 21 November 2017 at 6.30pm

·         Tuesday 23 January 2018 at 6.30pm

·         Tuesday 27 February 2018 at 6.30pm

·         Tuesday 10 April 2018 at 6.30pm

·         Tuesday 15 May 2018 at 6.30pm

Councillor noted the programme of Council meetings for 2017/18 as follows:

·         25 July 2017

·         19 September 2017

·         21 November 2017

·         23 January 2018

·         27 February 2018

·         10 April 2018

·         15 May 2018

The Mayor announced that there would also be an a Special Meeting of the Council held on Thursday 15 June 2017 at 6.30pm regarding the Market Walk and Primrose Gardens projects.

RESOLVED – that the schedule of Council meetings be noted