AGENDA, ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL, 11TH MAY 2009, 6PM
All Members of Didcot Town Council are summoned to attend the Annual Meeting of the Council on Monday 11th May 2009 at Didcot Civic Hall commencing at 6pm.
Admission of the Public and Media
Members of the Public and Media are welcome to attend in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meeting) Act 1960.
Public Participation
Public Participation will be in accordance with Standing Order No. 11.
The business to be transacted at the meeting will be:-
1. Election of Town Mayor 2009/2010 and signing of Declaration of Acceptance of Office
2. Apologies
3. Declarations of Interests – Members are reminded to declare any personal or prejudicial interests on any item on this agenda in accordance with Didcot Town Council’s Code of Conduct.
4. Appointment of Chaplain to the Mayor 2009/2010
5. Election of Deputy Mayor 2009/2010 and signing of Declaration of Acceptance of Office
6. Election of Leader of the Council 2009/2010
7. Election of Deputy Leader of the Council 2009/2010
8. Adoption of the Minutes of the Monthly Council meeting held on 20th April 2009 (attached); including questions on the minutes as to the progress of any item.
9. Adoption and agreement of Committee reports and recommendations:
(a) Environment Committee – 27th April 2009
(b) Planning and Development Committee – 29th April 2009
10. Mayor’s Announcements
11. Financial Statement
To agree 6th May 2009 cheque run payments (to follow)
Report to follow for agenda items 12 to 16
12. Appointment of Members to Standing Committees (nomination list to be tabled)
13. Appointment of Members to the Didcot Dynamo Working Group (nomination list to be tabled)
14. Appointment of Members to the Civic Hall Management Committee (nomination list to be tabled)
15. Appointment of Members to Working/Advisory Groups (nomination list to be tabled)
(a) Major Issues Working Group
(b) Traffic Advisory Group
16. Appointment of Members to other Bodies (nomination list to be tabled)
Fleet Meadow Community Hall Association
UK AEA Liaison Committee
Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils (2) (Normally the Mayor & Deputy Mayor)
Didcot Leisure Centre
Didcot Arts and Community Association
Citizens Advice Bureau
Didcot Volunteer Centre
Power Station Liaison Committee (2)
Ladygrove Fishing Association (2)
Didcot Youth Centre Management Committee
King Alfred Drive Community Centre
Ladygrove Community Centre Management Committee (3) (Normally includes Mrs A Godfrey, Treasurer)
Twinning Association
Didcot Chamber of Commerce
Hagbourne Charities (2) (Note: those appointed May 2007, Mrs M Turner and Mr A Thompson, in accordance with the trust deed would normally be expected to serve for a four year period)
Didcot Arts Forum
Didcot Fairtrade Group
Parish Transport Representative
17. To receive the minutes of the Traffic Advisory Group meeting dated 21st April 2009 (attached)
18. Correspondence - for information
19. Questions to the Leader concerning the business of the Council in accordance with Standing Order 16
Dominic Stapleton
Town Clerk
6th May 2009
MINUTES
1. PRESENT
Councillors:
- Mr T Harbour (Mayor)
- Mrs M Turner (Mayor Designate)
- Mrs M Davies
- Mr B Cooper
- Mr G Collier
- Capt J Flood
- Mrs E Hards
- Mrs A Service
- Mr W Service
- Mr R Hawlor
- Mr P Hayward
- Mrs M Flood
- Mr C Daukes
Officers:
- Mr D Stapleton (Town Clerk)
- Mr S Carter (Deputy Town Clerk)
and approximately 28 members of the public and invited guests.
The Mayor, Councillor T Harbour thanked those who had supported him throughout his Mayoral year and offered his successor his best wishes for the coming year.
2. ELECTION OF TOWN MAYOR 2009 – 2010
The election of Councillor Mrs M Turner, Mayor Designate, as Mayor for the year 2009 – 2010 was confirmed, Minute 521 of Council minutes dated 20th April 2009 refers.
RESOLVED that Councillor Mrs M Turner serve as Town Mayor for the year 2009 – 2010.
The Mayor, Councillor Mrs M Turner, signed her Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
Councillor Mrs M Turner took the Chair and thanked the outgoing Mayor for all his hard work over the last year.
3. APOLOGIES
Councillors Mr A Thompson (work), Mrs J Murphy (personal), Mrs L Hood (personal), Mr B Griffiths (personal), Mr K Murphy (personal) and Dr D Giaretta (work).
4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were reminded to declare any personal or prejudicial interests on any item on the agenda in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct.
There were no declarations of interest.
5. APPOINTMENT OF CHAPLAIN TO THE MAYOR 2009 – 2010
It was confirmed that the Chaplain to the Mayor for 2009 – 2010 would be Rev Dr Allen Edwards.
6. ELECTION OF DEPUTY MAYOR 2009 – 2010
There was one nomination for Deputy Mayor, Councillor Capt J Flood.
Upon being put to the vote it was:
RESOLVED that Councillor Capt J Flood be elected Deputy Town Mayor for 2009 – 2010.
The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Capt J Flood signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
7. ELECTION OF LEADER 2009 – 2010
There was one nomination for Leader, Councillor Mr W Service.
Upon being put to the vote it was:
RESOLVED that Councillor Mr W Service be elected Leader for 2009 – 2010.
8. ELECTION OF DEPUTY LEADER 2009 – 2010
There was one nomination for Deputy Leader, Councillor Mr T Harbour. Upon being put to the vote it was:
RESOLVED that Councillor Mr T Harbour be elected Deputy Leader for 2009 – 2010.
9. MINUTES
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 20th April 2009 be approved and signed as a true and correct record.
10. ADOPTION AND AGREEMENT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
(a) Environment Committee – 27th April 2009
Referring to Minute 535(g), Councillor Mrs M Davies stated that the Technical Manager should be congratulated for securing the Playbuilder grant for Great Western Drive Recreation Ground, which was in addition to the grant obtained for the play area at Edmonds Park which had now been officially opened.
RESOLVED that the report and recommendations contained therein be approved.
(b) Planning and Development Committee – 29th April 2009
Referring to Minute 545, South Oxfordshire Core Strategy – Preferred Options Consultation, Councillor Mrs M Davies asked if the incumbent chair of the committee would ensure that all members of the Council have the opportunity to comment on similar important consultations rather than leaving it to one member?
Councillor Mrs A Service confirmed that this would happen.
Referring to the same Minute, Councillor Mr B Cooper asked why the response to the core strategy stated that it was against building housing to the west of Didcot which contradicts the policy adopted at the Council meeting 9th March 2009, which stated that it would accept expansion to the west if it was necessary, Minute 453 refers.
It was stated that a response would be given in writing.
RESOLVED that the report and recommendations contained therein be approved.
11. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
23/4/09 |
Thursday 9am |
Raising of St George’s Flag at Civic Hall |
Mayor |
23/4/09 |
Thursday |
11 EOD Regiment truck pull |
Mayor & Mayoress |
| 24/4/09 |
Friday 9.30 – 11am | 10th Anniversary of Ladygrove Park School | Mayor |
| 24/4/09 | Friday evening | Wallingford Council dinner | Mayor & Mayoress |
| 25/4/09 |
Saturday evening | 75th Anniversary of Didcot RUFC, Dinner at Marlborough Club | Mayor & Mayoress |
| 26/4/09 |
Sunday 10am | All Saints’ Church, Communion | Mayor & Mayoress |
| 26/4/09 | Sunday, 12.30pm | Studio Launch, Didcot Leisure Centre | Mayor & Mayoress |
| 26/4/09 | Sunday pm | Didcot District Scouts event/parade | Mayor & Mayoress |
| 29/4/09 |
Wednesday am | Opening of MUGA & Tennis Courts | Mayor |
| 1/5/09 |
Friday evening | Hawaiian Disco | Mayor & Mayoress |
| 4/5/09 | Monday noon | Opening of Thong Rangers Fun Day | Mayor & Mayoress |
4/5/09 |
Monday | Judging of May Queen, Girl Guides Annual May Fair | Mayor & Mayoress |
| 4/5/09 | Monday evening | Auction at Marlborough Club for Thong Rangers | Mayor |
| 6/5/09 |
Wednesday 7.30pm | Annual Review of Girlguiding Oxfordshire | Mayor & Mayoress |
| 8/5/09 | Friday | Mayor’s Golf Day | Mayor |
| 9/5/09 |
Saturday 7pm | Quiz night, St Peter’s Church | Mayor & Mayoress |
| 10/5/09 | Sunday | 10 mile charity walk with ATC cadets | Mayor |
12. FINANCIAL STATEMENT
(a) RESOLVED that the cheque run payment for the 6th May 2009 amounting to £65,476.22 be authorised.
(b) RESOLVED that the list of payments made by BACS, direct debit and Standing Order in April 2009 amounting to £33,882.50 be authorised.
13. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO STANDING COMMITTEES
RESOLVED that the following appointments be agreed for 2009 – 2010. Appointments of Chairs and Vice-Chairs are subject to election at the first meeting of each committee:
| Finance & General Purposes | Arts & Grants | Environment | Planning & Development | Personnel & Administration |
Chair: Mr P Hayward |
Chair: Mr T Harbour |
Chair: Mr B Griffiths |
Chair: Mrs A Service |
Chair: Mr W Service |
Vice-Chair: Mr R Hawlor |
Vice-Chair Capt J Flood |
Vice-Chair: Mr A Thompson |
Vice-Chair Mrs M Flood |
Vice-Chair Mr T Harbour |
Mr B Griffiths Leader |
Mrs M Flood Leader Chair of Finance and General Purposes (Ex-Offcio without Voting Rights) |
Mrs L Hood Leader Chair of Finance and General Purposes (Ex-Offcio without Voting Rights) |
Mr L Elias Leader |
Mrs J Murphy Chair of Finance and General Purposes (Ex-Offcio without Voting Rights) |
14. DIDCOT DYNAMO WORKING GROUP
Mrs L Hood, Mr C Daukes, Mr P Hayward, Mr T Harbour, Mr B Cooper.
15. DIDCOT CIVIC HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Capt J Flood, Mrs M Flood, Mr P Hayward, Mrs L Hood, Mrs M Davies.
16. CIVIC HALL PROJECT WORKING GROUP
Capt J Flood, Mr P Hayward, Mrs E Hards.
17. MAJOR ISSUES WORKING GROUP
Mr W Service, Capt J Flood, Mrs M Davies.
18. TRAFFIC ADVISORY GROUP
Capt J Flood, Mrs M Flood, Mr P Hayward (as Parish Transport Representative), Mrs M Davies.
19. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS/REPRESENTATIVES TO OTHER BODIES
Fleet Meadow Community Hall Association – Mr L Elias
UKAEA Liaison Committee – Mr W Service
Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils (2) - Mayor & Deputy Mayor
Didcot Leisure Centre – Mr T Harbour
Didcot Arts and Community Association – Mr L Elias
Citizens Advice Bureau – Mr L Elias
Didcot Volunteer Centre – Mr P Hayward
Power Station Liaison Committee (2) – Capt J Flood & Mr C Daukes
Ladygrove Fishing Association (2) – Mr G Collier & Mr R Jeffries*
Didcot Youth Centre Management Committee – Mr A Thompson
King Alfred Drive Community Centre – Mr R Hawlor
Ladygrove Community Centre Management Committee (3) – Mrs A Service, Mr P Hayward & Ms A Godfrey* (Treasurer)
Twinning Association – Mr C Daukes
Didcot Chamber of Commerce – Mr T Harbour
Hagbourne Charities (2) – Mrs M Turner & Mr A Thompson
Didcot Arts Forum (DAF) – Mr A Thompson
Didcot Fairtrade Group – Mr A Thompson
Parish Transport Representative – Mr P Hayward
*Not Town Councillors
20. TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ADVISORY GROUP HELD ON 21ST APRIL 2009
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Traffic Advisory Group be received.
21. CORRESPONDENCE
There was no correspondence.
22. QUESTIONS TO THE LEADER
(a) Councillor Mr P Hayward asked the Leader if he would ask the Clerk to write to Didcot Town Football Club (DTFC) congratulating them on their promotion to the Southern Premier League, the highest position in the league structure in their history?
The Leader stated that this was a remarkable achievement for DTFC and that he would ask the Clerk to write to them expressing the Town Council’s congratulations.
(b) Councillor Mr P Hayward stated that DTFC were now looking to expand their facilities and asked if the Leader would offer his support on behalf of the Town Council?
It was explained that this would have to be referred to the Environment Committee for consideration.
(c) Councillor Mr B Cooper asked the Leader if there was any progress with the handover of the running of Willowbrook Leisure Centre?
The Leader responded by stating that negotiations were ongoing with SOLL but that there were still problems negotiating a price for the equipment and the gym.
The Meeting commenced at 6.00pm and closed at 6.30pm
Mayor
