Agenda and minutes

The following declaration will be read:

“Colleagues, aware of our responsibilities to promote democracy and the wellbeing of all local people, on behalf of the Council, I make this commitment to our office as elected representatives. Elected to serve the public good, we recognise that public office is a privilege granted by the people and not a right.

We, elected representatives of the people of Telford & Wrekin, declare that we will, to the best of our ability, uphold the Council’s constitution and serve the community above any private or personal interest.”

All Members will affirm the Declaration.

Councillor H Rhodes read the following declaration:

“Colleagues, aware of our responsibilities to promote democracy and the wellbeing of all local people, on behalf of the Council, I make this commitment to our office as elected representatives.

Elected to serve the public good, we recognise that public office is a privilege granted by the people and not a right.

We, elected representatives of the people of Telford & Wrekin, declare that we will, to the best of our ability, uphold the Council’s constitution and serve the community above any private or personal interest.”

Members signified their affirmation of the Declaration.

LokendraPoudel from the Hindu Temple, Dawley said prayers.

To elect a Mayor for 2024/25.

It was moved by Councillor H Morgan, seconded by Councillor R Mehta, that Councillor I Preece be elected as Mayor of the Council.

RESOLVED – that Councillor I Preece be elected as Mayor of the Council for the municipal year 2024/25.

To elect a Speaker for 2024/25.

It was moved by Councillor K Middleton, seconded by Councillor R Overton, that Councillor A R H England be elected as Speaker of the Council.

RESOLVED – that Councillor A R H ENgland be elected as Speaker of the Council for the municipal year 2024/25.

To elect a Deputy Speaker for 2024/25.

It was moved by Councillor R Overton, seconded by Councillor S J Reynolds, that Councillor H Rhodes be elected as Deputy Speaker of the Council.

RESOLVED – that Councillor H Rhodes be elected as Deputy Speaker of the Council for the municipal year 2024/25.

To elect a Deputy Mayor for 2024/25.

It was moved by Councillor A Jhawar, seconded by Councillor C Healy, that Councillor E Callear be elected as Deputy Mayor of the Council.

RESOLVED – that Councillor E Callear be elected as Deputy Mayor of the Council for the municipal year 2024/25.

A vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor, Councillor A England, was proposed by Councillor R Mehta and seconded by Councillor K Middleton.

RESOLVED – that the Council record its thanks to the retiring Mayor, Councillor A England for his service over the 2023/24 term of office.

In response, the retiring Mayor thanked Members for their kind messages and stated that it had been an honour to serve as Mayor. He highlighted a number of engagements that he had attended with businesses, dignitaries and charities. He had been honoured to shake hands with HRH Princess Anne during her visit to Harper Adams University, to meet the Duke of Edinburgh in Dawley and to have lunch with Queen Camilla.  As First Citizen of the Borough he had attended a 103^rd Birthday event and children’s events and he sent personal thanks to everyone who had invited him to attend their events.

The retiring Mayor noted that he had raised over £5,000 for the Telford CVS for care and care leavers as this was a charity close to his heart.  He looked forward to seeing the impact this had within the community.  He wished the new Mayor a successful and enjoyable year in office.

None.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Council.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting held on 29 February 2024 be confirmed and signed by the Mayor.

The Leader welcomed the visitors who had attended this important civic occasion.

The Leader thanked Councillor A England on his year as First Citizen and Mayor and wished Councillor I Preece well in his forthcoming role.

The Leader expressed that he had made the appointments of his Cabinet, Chairs and members of committees and he welcomed the new year with focus and energy in order to protect, care and invest in the Borough.

The Leader congratulated Councillor T Nelson on his appointment as the Leader of the Opposition and looked forward to weeks, months and years of working together.  He also thanked Councillor A Eade as the outgoing Opposition Leader.

The Leader welcomed Councillor P Thomas as an Independent Member following his recent move from his former party membership and looked forward to working with him in his new role.

The Leader felt it was time for change now that a general election had been called on 4 July 2024.  He hoped that each and every member of the Council would perform their civic and democratic duty and that they would continue to work with residents over the remaining three years of the administration’s term.

The Leader reflected on his achievements and was proud of the skill and dedication of Councillors, residents, officers, businesses and other sectors over the last eight years and he recognised that time did move on.  He stated there was a passionate younger generation snapping at Member’s heels with Councillor O Vickers now being the youngest ever Cabinet Member. 

The Leader highlighted the Council’s achievements over the last two months and expressed that whatever came next for the Council he would always be a fan of Telford and Wrekin Council, our place, the best place to live, work, be educated and visit.

Councillor T J Nelson, Leader of the Conservative Group, thanked the Leader for his kind words and congratulated those who had been appointed to their new roles.  He stated that democracy depended on power being effectively and constructively challenged in order to produce the best policy and decisions and that he would approach his new position with humility and dignity and looked forward to working for the good of the Borough.

Councillor W L Tomlinson, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, looked forward to working with Councillors P Thomas and T Nelson and thanked the staff without whom the Council wouldn’t achieve anything.  He stated the Council was trying to do the best it could but with the lack of funding more needed to be done to prevent Councils getting into financial difficulties.  Whoever came into government would not be able to wave a magic wand but hopefully it would improve the broken system and put the country in a better place.

The Leader welcomed the fresh approach and constructive criticism that would come over the course of the next municipal year.  The Council was here to look after young people in its care and support the most vulnerable adults whatever their age or  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

To note the appointment, by the Leader of the Council, of Members to serve on the Cabinet for 2024/25.

Councillor S Davies notified the meeting of his appointments to Cabinet.

To re-assert the Council’s delegation scheme in accordance with the Constitution.

Councillor S Davies proposed that the Council reassert the delegation scheme as detailed in the Council Constitution.

RESOLVED - that the discharge of Council functions by Committees as set out in the Council's Constitution dated 5 March 2020 be approved under the provisions of Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972.

To receive an update on governance arrangements for the 2024/25 municipal year.

Councillor S Davies moved and Councillor R Overton seconded the Governance update.

RESOLVED – that:

a)    the calculation of political balance following some changes in political group membership be noted;

b)   the Committees and Boards, shown at Appendix A to the report for the 2024/25 Municipal Year, together with the appointment of the Chair and Deputy Chair for each body be approved;

c)    delegated authority be granted to the Monitoring Officer, to make any further calculations of political balance following any additional changes in membership;

d)   the review and approval of the Terms of Reference for each Committee and Board be delegated to the relevant Committee or Board be confirmed;

e)    the Monitoring Officer to give effect to nominations to Committees and Boards notified to her in writing by Group Leaders be authorised;

f)     delegated authority be granted to the Monitoring Officer to make amendments to the Council’s Constitution in accordance with this report; and

g)   delegated authority be granted to the Monitoring Officer to make any consequential amendments to the Constitution to give effect to any matters outlined in this report.

To confirm the programme of dates for ordinary meetings of the Council for 2024/25 and 2025/26.

The programme of dates for ordinary meetings of the Council for 2024/25 to 2025/26 were set out in the report.