Agenda and minutes

To receive any declarations of interest from any Member on any item on this agenda.

None.

The Mayor, Councillor Julie Robinson, presented the HSM Sheraton Trophy to Tayla-Daisy Hoyle. She was an inspiring young role model and had shown remarkable positivity since her alopecia diagnosis. Her work involved the promotion of body positivity and raising awareness for the condition.

The Chief Executive, Rebecca Huddleston, invited nominations for the office of Mayor for the 2023/24 Municipal Year.

It was proposed by Councillor Michael Vincent, seconded by Councillor Roger Berry and it was agreed unanimously, that Councillor Julie Robinson by re-elected to the office of Mayor of the Borough of Wyre for Municipal Year 2023/24.

Councillor Julie Robinson signed the declaration of acceptance of office.

Councillor Julie Robinson thanked the Council for her re-election as Mayor. She listed several of her key engagements and fundraising highlights from her past year in office.

She thanked her Mayor’s Charities for 2022/23, these were SANDS, a stillbirth and neonatal death charity, Blood Bikes, a voluntary service that provided the transportation of urgent and emergency items, and Men’s Shed (Over Wyre). She then presented a representative from each of her Mayor’s Charities for 2022/23 with their donations.

The Mayor expressed some words of thanks to Peter Hutton, Mayor’s attendant and Debra Thornton, Civic Officer for their continued help.

Mr Richard Robinson was announced as the Mayor’s Consort for 2023/24.

The Mayor, Councillor Julie Robinson, invited nominations for the office of Deputy Mayor for the 2023/24 Municipal Year.

It was proposed by Councillor Michael Vincent, seconded by Councillor Roger Berry and it was agreed unanimously that Councillor Sue Catterall be elected to the office of Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Wyre for the Municipal Year 2023/24. Councillor Catterall signed the declaration of acceptance of office.

Councillor Catterall thanked the Council for her re-election as Deputy Mayor.

Mr Steve Mothersdale was announced as the Deputy Consort for 2023/24.

The Mayor, Councillor Julie Robinson, announced that her Mayor’s Charities for 2023/24 would be local charities across Wyre. She intended to provide a final list of her charities in due course.

The Mayor thanked the outgoing Youth Mayor, Hannah Mullin and announced that the Youth Mayor for 2023/24 was Zachary Shaw, who was invested with his Badge of Office.

To elect a Leader of the Council in accordance with Article 6 of the Constitution for the period until the Annual meeting after the Council elections to be held in May 2027.

Councillor Roger Berry proposed, seconded by Councillor Lynne Bowen that Councillor Michael Vincent be elected as Leader of the Council.

There were no other nominations for Leader of the Council

It was agreed, (28 votes to 0 with, 17 abstentions) that Councillor Michael Vincent be appointed as Leader of the Council, in accordance with Article 6 of the Constitution, for the period until the Annual Meeting after the Council elections to be held May 2027.

Report of Councillor Michael Vincent, prospective Leader of the Council and Rebecca Huddleston, Chief Executive.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Michael Vincent and the Chief Executive, Rebecca Huddleston submitted a report for the approval of changes to the Council’s Constitution.

It was proposed by Councillor Vincent, seconded by Councillor Berry that the recommendation be approved.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Fail and seconded by Councillor Beavers that asked to refer the report to an appropriate body or individual for consideration. Councillor Fail added that the Labour Group required more information regarding further proposed changes, including disbandment of the Climate Change Policy Group, the introduction of new Lead Members and the reduction in committee membership.

Councillor Vincent reassured members that the Council’s approach to Climate Change would be strengthened by it feeding into the Overview and Scrutiny Committee via sub-committees and task groups which would be established to look at specific climate change issues.

Following a comprehensive debate, the Labour Group amendment was lost (by 17 votes to 28).

It was agreed (by 28 votes to 16 with 1 abstention) that the proposed terms of reference for a combined Audit and Standards Committee as set out at Appendix 1 be approved.

Report of Councillor Michael Vincent, prospective Leader of the Council and Rebecca Huddleston, Chief Executive.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Michael Vincent and the Chief Executive, Rebecca Huddleston submitted a report informing the Council of the membership of the Cabinet, the allocation of responsibilities, the appointment of a Deputy Leader and the appointment of Lead Members.

The following appointments to the Cabinet with effect from 18 May 2023 were noted:

Cllr Lesley McKay, Resources Portfolio Holder

Cllr Roger Berry, Neighbourhood Services and Community Safety

Portfolio Holder

Cllr Simon Bridge, Street Scene, Parks and Open Spaces Portfolio

Holder

Cllr Lynne Bowen, Leisure, Health and Community Engagement

Portfolio Holder

Cllr Peter Le Marinel, Planning Policy and Economic Development

Portfolio Holder

It was noted that Councillor Roger Berry be appointed as Deputy Leader of the Council.

It was further noted that the following Lead Members be appointed:

Cllr Andrea, Kay Children and Young People

Cllr Ian, Amos Older People

Cllr Peter Le Marinel, Armed Forces

Cllr Julie Robinson, Mental Health

Cllr Sir Robert Atkins, Climate Change

Report of Councillor Michael Vincent, prospective Leader of the Council and Rebecca Huddleston, Chief Executive.

Papers published as a supplement to the original agenda.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Michael Vincent and the Chief Executive, Rebecca Huddleston submitted a report on appointments to committees, panels and groups for the 2023/24 Municipal Year.

Councillor Vincent introduced the report.

Councillor Vincent responded to comments from Councillor Fail regarding the political balance calculations and the reduction in membership of committees.

It was proposed by Councillor Vincent, seconded by Councillor Berry and it was agreed (by 28 votes to 15 with 2 abstentions):

     I.        That Committees be established and that Members be appointed to them in accordance with the statutory political balance rules described in paragraphs 4.1 to 4.2 of this report.

    II.        That other Panels and Groups also be established and that Members be appointed to them, as set out in paragraphs 5.7 to 5.9 of this report.

  III.        That the Lancashire Police and Crime Panel be reappointed as a Joint Committee of all 15 Councils in the Lancashire Police Force area and that Cllr Berry be nominated as Wyre’s representative on it.

Report of Councillor Michael Vincent, prospective Leader of the Council and Rebecca Huddleston, Chief Executive.

Papers published as a supplement to the original agenda.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Michael Vincent and the Chief Executive, Rebecca Huddleston submitted a report on the appointments to outside bodies for the period until the next elections in May 2027.

Councillor Vincent introduced the report.

Councillor Sir R Atkins updated members that the Garstang Sports and Community Club had changed its name to the Garstang Community Sports Club Ltd. It was noted that Appendix 1 of the report would be amended accordingly.

Councillor Bowen gave her thanks to the work of the Baines Charity.

It was proposed by Councillor Vincent, seconded by Councillor Berry and it was agreed unanimously that nominees, to be submitted separately prior to the meeting, be appointed as the Council’s representatives on the organisations listed in column A of Appendix 1 for the period until the next elections in May 2027.

Report of Councillor Michael Vincent, prospective Leader of the Council and Rebecca Huddleston, Chief Executive.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Michael Vincent and Chief Executive, Rebecca Huddleston submitted a report on the Calendar of Meetings updated for 2023/24.

Following discussions regarding the Climate Change Policy Group, it was proposed by Councillor Vincent, seconded by Councillor Berry and it was agreed that the updated Calendar of Meetings for 2023/24, attached as Appendix 1, be approved.