MINUTES of an Extraordinary Meeting of WILTON TOWN COUNCIL held in the COUNCIL CHAMBERS, KINGSBURY SQUARE, WILTON on MONDAY, 20th APRIL 2009 at 7.00pm

Present: Cllr A Kinsey, Mayor of Wilton

Cllr J Hinnis, Deputy Mayor of Wilton

Cllr Mrs B Belk

Cllr Mrs C Blackman

Cllr Mrs J Griffin

Cllr T Abbott

Cllr T Batchelder

Cllr P Matthews

Cllr J Rhind-Tutt

Cllr I Seviour

Mrs C Purves Town Clerk

Mr H Abel Minute Secretary

Also Present: 6 members of the public

Cllr Kinsey in the chair

Apologies: An apology for absence was received from Cllr Miss KM Clarke.

Statement by Cllr J Hinnis. Cllr Hinnis addressed the meeting:-

He had sought and been granted the Mayor’s permission to speak to the chamber. He re-iterated recent events. At the March Full Council meeting he had been duly nominated, unopposed, as Mayor elect. He had then been asked to attend an ad hoc meeting by the Mayor at which most of the Members were present. At this meeting he had been asked if there was any reason why he should not be Mayor. His answer was, ‘No.’ Cllr Hinnis told the meeting that he has no criminal or financial charges against him nor was there anything else that would bar him from becoming a Councillor or obtaining office.

At April’s Full Council Meeting, Cllr Hinnis had been proposed and nominated as Mayor elect. Cllr Matthews had then proposed Cllr Kinsey as Mayor elect and this was seconded by Cllr Mrs Blackman. In the vote that followed, Cllr Kinsey was elected by simple majority but there had been no properly proposed, seconded or elected chairman for that part of the meeting.

Following this meeting Cllr Hinnis reported that the press had taken an interest in the story and questioned him about what was going on. He stated that whatever happened, he had no intention of resigning and would continue to serve the people of Wilton to the best of his ability.

1. To elect a Chairman for the Meeting

The Mayor, Cllr Kinsey, called for nominations for a Chairman for the Extraordinary Meeting.

Cllr Abbott, (prop Cllr Mrs Blackman, sec Cllr Mrs Belk).

Cllr Seviour, (prop Cllr Rhind-Tutt, sec Cllr Mrs Griffin)

A vote was taken. Cllr Abbott received 7 votes and Cllr Seviour received 3 votes.

Cllr Kinsey declared Cllr Abbott duly elected and vacated the chair.

Cllr Abbott in the chair

2. To receive any Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Parish Councils (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2007.

None were declared.

3. Nomination and election for the position of Mayor Elect, the election at the Full Council meeting of

6th April being null and void.

The Chairman called for nominations for the position of Mayor Elect.

Cllr Kinsey, (prop Cllr Matthews, sec Cllr Mrs Blackman)

Cllr Hinnis, (prop Cllr Rhind-Tutt, sec Cllr Mrs Griffin)

A vote was taken. Cllr Kinsey received 5 votes and Cllr Hinnis received 4 votes. There was 1 abstention)

The Chairman declared Cllr Kinsey duly elected as Mayor Elect.

4. Nomination and election for the position of Deputy Mayor Elect, the election at the Full Council meeting of 6th April being null and void.

The Chairman called for nominations for the position of Mayor Elect.

Cllr Batchelder, (prop Cllr Mrs Blackman, sec Cllr Seviour)

Cllr Hinnis, (prop Cllr Mrs Griffin, sec Cllr Rhind-Tutt)

A vote was taken. Cllr Batchelder received 5 votes and Cllr Hinnis received 4 votes. There was 1 abstention)

The Chairman declared Cllr Batchelder duly elected as Deputy Mayor Elect

There followed discussion and comments from Members and a general appeal for courtesy and politeness to form the background of Town Council dealings.

5. To confirm the date of the next Full Council Meeting as Tuesday 5th May 2009.

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 7.40pm.

Members of the Council considered the foregoing matters in consideration of their duties: Equal Opportunities (race, gender, sexual orientation, marital status and any disability); Crime and Disorder; health and Safety, and Human Rights.

Extraordinary Meeting of Wilton Town Council – Monday 20th April 2009