Agenda and draft 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 A Jhawar 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.

Bishop Nick Barrett of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Wellington said prayers.

To make a presentation following the special meeting convened on 30 November 2023 to appoint Mr Alan Mackenzie as Honorary Alderman of the Borough.

The Mayor presented former Councillor, Mr Alan Mackenzie, with his scroll and badge as Honorary Alderman of the Borough as he was unable to attend the Special Meeting held on 30 November 2023.

To make a presentation to AFC Telford United in recognition of their promotion to the National League North.

A presentation was made to AFC Telford United in recognition of its recent promotion to the National League North Football League.

To elect a Mayor for 2025/26.

It was moved by Councillor A Jhawar, seconded by Councillor J Kaur, that Councillor E Callear be elected as Mayor of the Council for the 2025/26 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED – that Councillor E Callear be elected as Mayor of the Council for the 2025/26 Municipal Year.

To elect a Speaker for 2025/26.

It was moved by Councillor K Middleton, seconded by Councillor P Davis, that Councillor A R H England be elected as Speaker of the Council for the 2025/26 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED – that Councillor A R H England be elected as Speaker of the Council for the 2025/26 Municipal Year.

To elect a Deputy Speaker for 2025/26.

It was moved by Councillor G Latham-Reynolds, seconded by Councillor S J Reynolds, that Councillor H Rhodes be elected as Deputy Speaker of the Council for the 2025/26 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED – that Councillor H Rhodes be elected as Deputy Speaker of the Council for the 2025/26 Municipal Year.

To elect a Deputy Mayor for 2025/26.

It was moved by Councillor N England, seconded by Councillor C Chikandamina, that Councillor N Page be elected as Deputy Mayor of the Council for the 2025/26 Municipal Year. 

RESOLVED – that Councillor N Page be elected as Deputy Mayor of the Council for the 2025/26 Municipal Year.

To move a vote of thanks to the Retiring Mayor.

A vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor, Councillor I Preece, was proposed by Councillor R Mehta and seconded by Councillor R Overton.

RESOLVED – that the Council record its thanks to the retiring Mayor, Councillor I Preece, for his service over the 2024/25 term of office.

To move the reply to the vote of thanks.

In response, the retiring Mayor thanked Members for their kind messages and stated that it had been a great honour to serve as Mayor.  He highlighted a number of engagements that he had attended with businesses, dignitaries and charities.

None.

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

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting held on 27 February 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

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

The Leader thanked the Cabinet for its work over the previous year, which had delivered its 20 pledges in 20 weeks.

The Leader expressed his thanks to the local MP for his support with local projects.

The Leader looked forward to 2025 and, although there would be challenges, his focus would be set on delivering a balanced budget to protect, care and invest in Telford and Wrekin for a better borough, and he outlined projects that would come forward to enable this.

The Leader was proud to announce that the Council continued to maintain the lowest Council Tax in the West Midlands and had committed to keeping the fortnightly garden waste collections and free car parking in the borough.  The Leader informed Members of some of the transformation projects, which were due to come forward in the coming months and which included Station Quarter and Addenbrooke House, the YMCA, the Orbit in Wellington and the Theatre and surrounding area in Oakengates.

The Leader concluded by praising events and successes that had taken place, which included the VE 80 Celebrations and the recent promotion of AFC Telford United to the National League North Football League.

The Leader of the Conservative Group congratulated those Members who had been given new roles and would welcome a responsible and collaborative approach to the challenges going forward in order to jointly evolve the best polices and get the best results for the borough.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group thanked the staff for their hard work and praised the work of the Children and Adults services.  He reminded Members that Councillors were there to represent the people and asked that they listened to residents.

To note the appointment by the Leader of the Council of the Members to serve on the Cabinet for 2025/26.

Councillor L Carter notified the meeting of his appointments to Cabinet, as

follows:

• Councillor Lee Carter – Leader
• Cllr Richard Overton Deputy - Leader and Cabinet Member: Highways, Housing & Enforcement
• Councillor Paul Davis - Cabinet Member: Communities & Civic Pride
• Councillor Zona Hannington - Cabinet Member: Finance, Governance & Customer Services
• Cllr Carolyn Healy - Cabinet Member: Neighbourhoods, Planning & Sustainability
• Cllr Angela McClements - Cabinet Member: Leisure, Tourism, Culture & The Arts
• Councillor Kelly Middleton - Cabinet Member: Public Health & Healthier Communities
• Councillor Shirley Reynolds - Cabinet Member: Children & Young People, Learning, Employment & Skills
• Councillor Paul Watling - Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care & Health

·       Councillor Ollie Vickers - Cabinet Member: The Economy & Transport

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

Councillor Z Hannington 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 2025/26 municipal year.

Councillor L Carter moved and Councillor Z Hannington seconded the Governance update.

RESOLVED: that

a)    the political balance for the forthcoming municipal year be noted;

b)    the Committees and Boards, for the 2025/26 Municipal Year, and the appointment of the Chair and Vice-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 to agree;

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

f)     the revised Constitution, noting the changes set out within the body of this report be approved; and

g)    the creation of a special responsibility allowance for the new positions of Chair and Vice-Chair of Regulatory Committee be approved.

To confirm the programme of dates for ordinary meetings of the Council for 2025/26 and 2026/27.

The programme of dates for ordinary meetings of the Council for 2025/26 to 2026/27 were set out in the report.