MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL LUTTERWORTH TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON 17 MAY 2011

AT THE COUNCIL OFFICES, COMMENCING AT 7.30 P.M

PresentThe Town Mayor, Ray Perkins

The Deputy Town Mayor, Neil Ackerley

CouncillorsE Derrick, D Gair, A Holyoak, T Koriya, M O’Connell,

B Piper, V Thornton, P Toye and J Turner

ApologiesCouncillors J Ackerley, R Coleman, T Hirons, B Howes, G Robinson and C Weston

District Councillors R Dewes and R Tomlin

County Councillor R Page

4 members of the public and the press were in attendance.

24ELECTION OF TOWN MAYOR FOR 2011-12

The Clerk confirmed that a declaration of acceptance of Office had been completed by all newly elected members.

It was proposed by Councillor Derrick and seconded by Councillor Turner that Councillor Tony Hironsbe elected to the Office of Town Mayor for the year 2011-12.

There being no other nomination, the Town Mayor declared that Councillor Tony Hirons be elected to the office of Town Mayor for 2011-12.

In Councillor Hiron’s absence, Councillor Turner was appointed as stand-in chair for the remainder of the meeting.

Councillor Turner presented the retiring Mayor with a Past Town Mayor’s badge and Councillor Perkins took his seat for the remainder of the meeting as a member of the public.

It was advised that the Mayoral Chain would be presented to Councillor Hirons on another occasion and it was RESOLVED to allow Councillor Hirons to make his declaration of acceptance of Office prior to the Council meeting to be held on 14 June.

25VOTE OF THANKS TO THE RETIRING TOWN MAYOR

Councillor Thorntonproposed a vote of thanks to Mr Perkinsfor his dedication and commitment in attending an extensive list of events throughout the past year and for his inspirational fundraising efforts – both of which had taken Lutterworth to a wider community.

Mr Perkins was recognised for achieving a huge amount during his Mayoral year and would prove to be a hard act to follow. Thanks were also extended to Mrs Gill Perkins for the support that she had provided as consort, as well as the numerous fundraising events that she had helped to organise.

26RESPONSE BY THE RETIRING TOWN MAYOR

Mr Perkinsexpressed that he had thoroughly enjoyed his year as Lutterworth Town Mayor and that he felt he had fulfilled his ambition to attend as many community events during the last twelve months as possible.There proved to be too many events to mention but Mr Perkins did advise that one of his highlights during his Mayoral year was the trip to Lutterworth’s twinned town, Chambourcy.

Mr Perkins highlighted that he had attempted to organise various fundraising events throughout his year so that there was something to suit everybody’s taste.

Mr Perkins paid special thanks to Councillors Coleman, Hirons and Robinson and the Town Clerk for their support and advice throughout the year. Thanks were also extended to Dickie and Ali Wood for their help at various events throughout the year, as well as to outgoing Deputy Town Mayor, Mr Neil Ackerley, for his supportive assistance.

Mr Perkins advised that he was due to present his chosen charities with their cheques shortly and did not therefore wish to disclose the final amount that he had raised. It was however confirmed that the target amount had been exceeded.

Mr Perkins finished by congratulating Councillor Hirons on becoming Town Mayor for 2011-12 and wished him and Sylvia as successful a year as he and Gill had enjoyed.

27APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY TOWN MAYOR

Proposed by Councillor Piper and seconded by Councillor Gair that Councillor Robert Coleman be appointed as Deputy Town Mayor for 2011-12.

There being no other nominations, Councillor Turner declared that Councillor Robert Colemanbe elected to the office of Deputy Town Mayor for 2011-12.

Mr Ackerley returned the Deputy Mayor’s badge and took his seat for the remainder of the meeting as a member of the public.

In Councillor Coleman’s absence, it was advised that the Deputy Mayor’s badge would be presented to Councillor Coleman on another occasion and it was RESOLVED to allow Councillor Coleman to make his declaration of acceptance of Office prior to the Council meeting to be held on 14 June.

28TOWN MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

In Councillor Hirons absence, Councillor Turner proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Ackerley for conducting his role as Deputy Town Mayor very ably over the last year and for offering support to the Town Mayor where it had been required.

29APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS

The Clerk advised that the majority of Committees / Working Parties for 2011-12 were in fact over-subscribed but suggested that consideration be given to allowing this increase in numbers as it was the first year of a new Council term and would enable new members to grasp the various Council responsibilities more quickly. It was RESOLVED to accept the list as it stood and it was noted that the list would be distributed to all members. The membership numbers would then be reviewed after the first year.

30COUNCIL MEETING DATES FOR 2011-12

It was advised that the following amendments to the list of meeting dates are necessary:

  • The first Planning and Grants Committee meeting would need to be altered to take place on Tuesday 7 June as Harborough District Council is organising a training event for all new members to take place on Monday 6 June in relation to the Code of Conduct.
  • The Annual Town Council Meeting should take place on Tuesday 22 May 2012 as the Council’s Standing Orders indicates that in a non-election year, the Annual Town Council meeting should take place on the Tuesday that is closest to the twentieth day of May.

RESOLVED to approve the list of meeting dates with these amendments, providing that the Annual Town Council Meeting does not clash with that of Harborough District Council.

Meeting adjourned 7.55pm.

Signed …………………………………..

Dated ……………………………..

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