Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed councillors, past Chairman, former councillors, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Mrs Miranda Markham, and her husband, guests and officers to the Annual Council meeting.

The Chairman welcomed newly elected councillors, Councillor Gordon Blakeway, Councillor Dom Vaitkus, Councillor Dr Kerrie Thornhill, Councillor Rob Parkinson, Councillor John Willett, Councillor Frank Ideh, Councillor Chirs Brant, Councillor David Rogers, Councillor Grace Conway-Murray and Councillor Linda Ward and congratulated them and all other councillors who were returned at the recent election. The newly elected councillors each introduced themselves to Council.

11. Making of the Deddington Neighbourhood Plan.

Councillor David Rogers, Declaration, as one of the architects of the Plan.

To receive communications from the Chairman and/or the Leader of the Council.

Former Councillors

On behalf of Council, the Chair extended paid tribute and thanked  those councillors who stood down or were not re-elected at the May elections for their service to the council, their wards and the district.

Annual Council

By convention, the minutes of Committees, questions, petitions and motions were not considered at Annual Council. These would be included on the agenda of the next scheduled Council meeting on Monday 15 July.

Process for Appointments

The Chairman reminded Council of the process for voting on appointments for any position to be filled by the Council, as set out in the Constitution.

Members’ Pigeon Holes

Members were reminded to check their pigeon hole and take any post.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock and seconded by Councillor Hodgson,  that Councillor Dr Okeke be appointed as Chairman of Cherwell District Council for the municipal year 2024/2025. There were no other nominations.

Resolved

(1)          That Councillor Dr Okeke be appointed Chairman of Cherwell District Council for the Municipal Year 2024/2025.

(Councillor Sibley, outgoing Chairman chaired the meeting until Councillor Okeke was appointed)

Councillor Dr Okeke made, and signed, the required Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Councillor Dr Okeke addressed Council thanking Members for the honor of appointing him as Chairman, a role he would embrace. The Chairman advised that his partner, Sandra, would be his consort and announced that he would raise funds for Oxfordshire Mind during his term of office.

The Chairman paid tribute to Councillor Sibley for the two years he had served as Chairman of the Council. Councillor Sibley was an outstanding Chairman, who had carried out his role passionately and steadfastly.

Councillor Sibley dedicated a lot of time and effort in raising money for his chosen charity, Alexandra House of Joy. He raised over £20,000 during his two years of chairmanship which

As Vice-Chairman, it had been very helpful learning from Councillor Sibley. One of the many things the incoming Chairman had learned from Councillor Sibley was reminding Councillors to speak through the Chairman.

Group Leaders, Councillor Hingley, Councillor Woodcock, Councillor Reeves and Councillor Middleton, and other Members, paid tribute to Councillor for his two-year tenure as Chairman.

The Chairman presented Councillor Sibley with his past Chairman’s badge and a gift as a token of appreciation for his term of office.

Councillor Sibley thanked Group Leaders and Members for their kind words and addressed Council.

Councillor Sibley congratulated Cllr Dr Okeke on his appointment and wished him and his consort, his wife Sandra, all the best for the forthcoming year.

Councillor Sibley thanked Members for their goodwill and confidence in appointing him as Chairman for a second term and hoped Members and residents considered he has he had fulfilled the duties required. Councillor Sibley also thanked the council’s management and staff for their support and guidance and paid particular tribute to his PA. Councillor Sibley also extended his thanks to Councillor Okeke for his support as Vice-Chair during his term of office.

Councillor Sibley highlighted that he and his consort, his wife Mary, had enjoyed their role as ambassadors for Cherwell District Council visiting many places and meeting many people. Another highlight had been attending events along with members of the “Oxfordshire chain gang” and thanked them for their friendship and support.

One of his duties as Chairman was to raise funds and awareness of his nominated charity, Alexandra House of Joy. Councillor Sibley presented the founders of the charity, Ian and Rachel Scott-Hunter and presented them with a cheque for £20,000 raised over the past year

Councillor Sibley thanked his consort, his wife, for the wonderful support she had given him in his role as Chairman and presented her with flowers as a token of his appreciation.

It was proposed by Councillor Hingley and seconded by Councillor McLean,  that Councillor Walker be appointed as Vice-Chairman of Cherwell District Council for the municipal year 2024/2025. There were no other nominations.

Resolved

(1)          That Councillor Walker be appointed Vice-Chairman of Cherwell District Council for the Municipal Year 2024/2025.

Councillor Walker, having made and signed the required Declaration of Acceptance of Office was invested with the Vice-Chairman’s Chain.

Councillor Walker addressed Council and thanked Members for her appointment.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of Council held on 26 February 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2024 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

(Please note appendix 3, Committee Appointments, will follow)

Report of Monitoring Officer

Purpose of report

To note the results of the 2 May 2024 district elections and to consider the appointments and allocation of seats on Committees for municipal year 2024/25 in accordance with the duty under Section 15 Local Government Housing Act 1989, to ensure that this reflects the political make-up of the Council following the elections. The political representation of members on committees needs to be considered on an annual basis.

Recommendations

Council resolves:

1.1         To note the results of the District Elections held on 2 May 2024.

1.2         To note the constitution of Political Groups and notification of Group Leaders which has been notified in accordance with Regulation 8 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990.

1.3         To appoint the Leader of the Council.

1.4         To note the appointment of the Deputy Leader of the Council, the membership of the Executive and Executive portfolios for the municipal year 2024/2025.

1.5         To agree the allocation of seats on committees that are subject to the political balance requirements, as set out at Appendix 2.

1.6         To appoint members (and where, required, substitute members) to serve on each of the committees in accordance with the nominations made by political groups (Appendix 3 – to follow).

1.7         To appoint a non-Executive representative to the Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

1.8         To appoint a representative and named substitute to the Health and Wellbeing Board.

1.9         To appoint a representative and named substitute to the Police and Crime Commissioner Scrutiny Panel.

1.10      To appoint an Executive member representative and an Executive member substitute to the Future Oxfordshire Partnership.

1.11      To appoint three non-Executive representatives to the Future Oxfordshire Partnership Scrutiny Panel.

1.12      To appoint an Executive member and named Executive member substitute to each of the Future Oxfordshire Partnership Advisory Groups: Housing Advisory Group, Infrastructure Advisory Group, Environment Advisory Group and Planning Advisory Group.

1.13      That authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer to make changes required to the Constitution as a result of the changes referred to in this report.

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report to note the results of the 2 May 2024 district elections and to consider the appointments and allocation of seats on Committees for municipal year 2024/25 in accordance with the duty under Section 15 Local Government Housing Act 1989, to ensure that this reflects the political make-up of the Council following the elections. The political representation of members on committees needed to be considered on an annual basis.

The Chairman referred to recommendation 1.3 which related to the Leader of the Council and invited Councillor Wood to address the meeting.

Councillor Wood addressed Council and tendered his resignation as Leader of the Council. Councillor Wood had been Leader since his appointment at the Annual Meeting in 2004 and reported on his highlights as Leader. The Leader also paid respect and tribute to the Chief Executive Officers at the council over the past 20 years. Councillor Wood expressed his gratitude for the support of  the Leader’s PA who had been in post for the duration of his time as Leader. Councillor Wood, above all, thanked his wife for her support.

On behalf of Council, the Chairman thanked Councillor Wood for his service to the district, our residents and the council as Leader over the past 20 years.

Group Leaders, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Hingley, Councillor Woodcock, Councillor Middleton and Councillor Sibley paid tribute and extended their gratitude to Councillor Wood for his service as Leader.

Councillor Wood having resigned, it was necessary for Council to appoint a Leader. It was proposed by Councillor Lytton and seconded by Councillor Cotter that Councillor Hingley be appointed Leader of Cherwell District Council.

There being no further nominations, Councillor Hingley was duly appointed Leader of the Council.

The Chairman invited the Leader to report on his Deputy Leader, Executive members and Portfolio Holder allocations for 2024/2025. The Leader advised Councillor Lesley McLean was his Deputy leader and Portfolio Holders as follows:

·         Councillor David Hingley – Leader and Portfolio Holder for Strategic Leadership

·         Councillor Lesley Mclean – Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources

·         Councillor Chris Brant, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services

·         Councillor Jean Conway, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Development Management

·         Councillor Rob Parkinson – Portfolio Holder for Regulatory

·         Councillor Rob Pattenden – Portfolio Holder for Healthy Communities

·         Councillor Chris Pruden – Portfolio Holder for Housing

·         Councillor Ian Middleton – Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services

·         Councillor Tom Beckett – Portfolio Holder for Greener Services

The Chairman led Council through the remaining recommendations and invited the Leader, and Group Leaders as required, to advise of nominations to outside bodies and working groups with appointments as set out in the resolutions.

Resolved

(1)          That the results of the District Elections held on 2 May 2024 be noted.

Report of Assistant Director Planning and Development

Purpose of report

To seek the making of the Deddington Neighbourhood Plan following the successful referendum and the recommendation of the Corporate Director - Communities.

Recommendations

Council resolves:

1.1       To note the referendum result of 2 May 2024 where 93% of those who voted were in favour of the Deddington Neighbourhood Plan, which is above the required 50%.

1.2       To formally ‘makes’ the Deddington Neighbourhood Plan presented at Appendix 1 to this report so that it continues to have effect as part of the statutory Development Plan for Cherwell District.

1.3       To authorise the Assistant Director – Planning and Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Planning, to issue and publicise a Decision Statement.

The Assistant Director Planning and Development submitted a report to seek the making of the Deddington Neighbourhood Plan following the successful referendum and the recommendation of the Corporate Director - Communities.

Resolved

(1)          That the referendum result of 2 May 2024 where 93% of those who voted were in favour of the Deddington Neighbourhood Plan, which was above the required 50%, be noted.

(2)          That the Deddington Neighbourhood Plan be formally made so that it continues to have effect as part of the statutory Development Plan for Cherwell District.

(3)          That the Assistant Director – Planning and Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Planning, be authorised to issue and publicise a Decision Statement.

Report of Monitoring Officer & Assistant Director Law and Governance

Purpose of report

To endorse the plans for a statutory review of polling districts and polling places within the administrative boundary of Cherwell District Council.

 
Recommendations

Council resolves:

1.1         To endorse the proposed timetable for the review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations in the Cherwell district.

1.2         To establish an informal cross-party Polling Place and District Boundary Review working with 8 members reflecting the political make-up of the Council and delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer & Assistant Director Law and Governance to finalise the membership in consultation with Group Leaders.

The Monitoring Officer & Assistant Director Law and Governance submitted a report to endorse the plans for a statutory review of polling districts and polling places within the administrative boundary of Cherwell District Council.

 
Resolved

(1)          That the proposed timetable for the review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations in the Cherwell district be endorsed.

(2)          That an informal cross-party Polling Place and District Boundary Review working with 9 members (3 Liberal Democrat, 2 Labour, 2 Conservative, 1 Green/Independent and 1 Independent) reflecting the political make-up of the Council and authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer & Assistant Director Law and Governance to finalise the membership in consultation with Group Leaders.

There were no items of urgent business.