Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed councillors, past Chairman, former councillors, guests and officers to the Annual Council meeting.

The Chairman welcomed newly elected councillors, Councillor Tom Beckett, Councillor Besmira Brasha, Councillor Becky Clarke MBE, Councillor Isabel Creed, Councillor Harry Knight, Councillor Simon Lytton, Councillor Andrew McHugh, Councillor Lesley McLean, Councillor Lynne Parsons, Councillor Rob Pattenden and Councillor Nigel Simpson and congratulated them and all other councillors who were returned at the recent election. The newly elected councillors each introduced themselves to Council.

Councillor Julian Nedelcu, who had been newly elected to the Launton and Otmoor ward, had submitted apologies for the Council meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

Thames Valley Police Chief Superintendent, Emma Garside, will present a Certificate of Recognition to Cherwell District Council in recognition of the TVLF multi-agency response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, between February 2020 and May 2021.

The Chairman will receive the Certificate on behalf of the Council.

Thames Valley Police Chief Superintendent, Emma Garside, presented a Certificate of Recognition to Cherwell District Council in recognition of its role in the multi-agency response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, between February 2020 and May 2021.

The Chairman received the Certificate on behalf of the Council.

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

Chairman’s Engagements, Address and Presentation of Cheque

A copy of the events attended by the Chairman or the Vice-Chairman was published with the agenda.

The Chairman addressed Council to report on his term of office highlighting the many events he had attended. The Chairman thanked everyone who had attended fundraising events and donated funds to support Alexandra House of Joy during his term of office. The charity was raising money to build a new care facility in Bicester to offer support for adults with severe learning disabilities, and the funds raised would help make that aspiration a reality.

The Chairman presented  a cheque for £10,600 to Ian and Rachel Scott-Hunter, representatives of Alexandra House of Joy.

Councillor Sibley thanked Members and officers for supporting him as Chairman.

The Chairman thanked his wife, Mary, who had been his consort during his term of office for her great support and presented her with a bouquet of flowers.

Tribute to Liz Matthew’s, Chairman’s PA

The Chairman paid tribute to his PA, Liz Matthews, who would be retiring on 31 May. Liz had been PA to many Chairman during her time at Cherwell and her hard work and diligence had helped each Chairman during their term of office, in particular raising money for their charities and attending events. The Chairman presented Liz with flowers and wished her all the best in her retirement.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Wood, paid further tribute to Liz Matthews, highlighting the many senior managers she had been PA for during her time at Cherwell and thanked her for the support she had provided to him. The Chairman presented Liz with flowers and wished her all the best in her retirement.

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 17 July.

Members’ Pigeon Holes

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

The Monitoring Officer called for nominations for Chairman of Cherwell District Council for the municipal year 2023/2024.

It was moved by Councillor Wood and seconded by Councillor Knight, that Councillor Les Sibley be appointed as Chairman for the municipal year 2023/2024. There were no other nominations.

Resolved

(1)          That Councillor Les Sibley be appointed Chairman of Cherwell District Council for the Municipal Year 2023/2024.

Councillor Les Sibley, made and signed the required Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Councillor Sibley thanked Members for appointing him for a second term as Chairman. It had been an honour and a privilege to serve as Chairman of the Council and he looked forward to continuing to represent the council in this important role in 2023–2024. He would continue to raise funds for Alexandra House of Joy during his second term of office.

The current Chairman having been re-elected for a second term of office, this item was not required.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock and seconded by Councillor Watkins, that Councillor Dr Chukwudi Okeke be appointed as Vice-Chairman for the Municipal Year 2023/2024. There were no other nominations.

Resolved

(1)          That Councillor Dr Chukwudi Okeke be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council for the municipal year 2023/2024.

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

Councillor Okeke addressed Council and thanked Members for his appointment.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of Council held on 27 February 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 February 2023 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

“” An addendum and the appendices to this report will be published as a supplement to the agenda **

Report of Chief Executive

Purpose of report

To note the results of the 4 May 2023 district elections and agree the governance arrangements for the council following the elections for the municipal year 2023/2024.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To note the results of the District Elections held on 4 May 2023.

1.2         To note the constitution of Political Groups and notification of Group

Leaders.

1.3         To appoint the Leader of the Council (if required).

1.4         To note the appointment of Deputy Leader of the Council, the membership of the Executive and the Executive portfolios for Municipal Year 2023/2024.

1.5         To agree the allocation of seats on committees that are subject to the political balance requirements as set out in 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).

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 Police and Crime Commissioner Scrutiny Panel.

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

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

1.11      To appoint an Executive member and an 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 (subject to approval by the Future Oxfordshire Partnership at its meeting of 13 June including confirmation of final title).

1.12      To appoint members to the Boundary Review Working Group.

The Chief Executive submitted a report for Council to note the results of the 4 May 2023 district elections and agree the governance arrangements for the council following the elections for the municipal year 2023/2024.

The Chairman advised that he take Council through the report and ask Members to vote on each recommendation separately. Council unanimously agreed recommendations 1.1 and 1.2.

Turning to recommendation 1.3, which related to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Woodcock proposed a vote of no confidence in the current Leader of the Council, Councillor Wood. This was duly seconded by Councillor Watkins.

In response to a Point of Order raised by Councillor Cotter, the Monitoring Officer confirmed that if the vote of no confidence in the Leader was passed, the Chairman would seek nominations for Leader.

It was subsequently proposed by Councillor Middleton and seconded by Councillor Cotter that a recorded vote be taken.

Having been proposed and seconded, a recorded vote was duly taken and Members voted as follows:

The vote was won and the motion was carried.

The Chairman called for nominations for Leader of the Council. It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock and seconded by Councillor Watkins that Councillor Woodcock be appointed Leader of the Council.

In the course of the debate it was proposed by Councillor Middleton and seconded by Councillor Cotter that a recorded vote be taken.

Having been proposed and seconded, a recorded vote was duly taken and Members voted as follows:

Having been proposed by Councillor Hingley and seconded by Councillor Cotter that the meeting be adjourned to 6.30pm on Tuesday 23 May 2023.

On being put to the vote, the motion was carried 24 votes for, 22 votes against and no abstentions. .

Resolved

(1)           That the meeting be adjourned to 6.30pm on Tuesday 23 May 2023.

The Chairman confirmed that the remaining recommendations of the Annual Business report, the Member Development Framework report and the Annual Report of the Accounts, Audits and Risk Committee 2022/23 would be considered when the meeting reconvened on Tuesday 23 May.