Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Goodship, Morton, Willis and Wormington.

To receive any declarations of interest by members in items on the agenda. For any advice on declarations of interest; please contact the Monitoring Officer before the meeting.

No declarations of pecuniary or other significant interest were made.

To elect the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council for the municipal year 2022/23.

Councillor Dawlings moved, and Councillor Pound seconded, that Councillor Godfrey Bland be elected Mayor.

The Mayor took a vote on the motion by affirmation.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Bland be elected Mayor of the Borough for the ensuing municipal year ending on the date of the Annual Meeting 2023.

Councillor Bland made the declaration of acceptance of office.

Following the declaration, the meeting adjourned whilst the Mayor was robed

and received the chain of office.

On the resumption of the meeting, Councillor Bland returned thanks for his election and announced:

·         He would be supported by Mayoress Caroline Sampson.

·         Reverend David Commander would be the Mayors Chaplain of Benenden and Sandhurst.

·         The theme of the Mayoralty, would be Small Business.

·         Hospice in the Weald would be appointed as the Mayor’s Charity.

The Mayoress, Caroline Sampson received her badge of office.

To present a badge to the immediate past Mayor in recognition of valued service and the appreciation of the Borough Council, and for the past Mayor to return thanks.

Badges were presented to the immediate past Mayor, Chris Woodward and the past Mayor’s Escort, Jenny Woodward in recognition of their service. In addition, a photo album was presented to them both containing memories of their year in office.

Chris Woodward returned thanks and announced that £5,195.64 had been raised for his charity Mental Health Resources (West Kent) and a cheque was presented to Jenny Williams from the Charity.

To appoint the Deputy Mayor of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council of the municipal year 2022/23.

Councillor Chapelard moved, and Councillor Hill seconded, that Councillor Patterson be appointed Deputy Mayor.

The Mayor took a vote on the motion by affirmation.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Patterson be appointed Deputy Mayor of the Borough for the ensuing municipal year ending on the date of the Annual Meeting 2023.

Councillor Patterson made the declaration of acceptance of office.

Following the declaration, the meeting adjourned whilst the Deputy Mayor was robed and received the chain of office.

On the resumption of the meeting, Councillor Patterson returned thanks.

The Deputy Mayoress, Sandra Patterson received her badge of office.

To note the names of each of the persons elected Borough Councillor as set out in the associated notice.

The Chief Executive, as Returning Officer for the elections held on 5 May 2022, submitted the return of persons elected to the Borough Council as set out in the agenda report.

To elect the Leader of the Council for the period ending on the date of the Annual Meeting in 2026 in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution and the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and to receive announcements from the elected Leader.

Councillor Hickey moved, and Councillor Warne seconded, that Councillor Chapelard be elected Leader.

The Mayor took a recorded vote on the motion

Members who voted for the motion: Councillors Atkins, Bailey, Barrass, Brice, Britcher-Allan, Chapelard, Ellis, Everitt, Fitzsimmons, Funnell, C. Hall, Hayward, Hickey, Hill, Johnson, Knight, Le Page, Lewis, Lidstone, McMillan, Moon, Neville, Patterson, Poile, Pope, Pound, Rogers, Rutland, Sankey, Wakeman and Warne. (31)

Members who voted against the motion: None.

Members who abstained from voting: Councillors Allen, Atwood, Barrington-King, Bland, Dawlings, Fairweather, Dr L. Hall, Holden, March, Ms Palmer, Rands, Roberts and White. (13)

RESOLVED – That Councillor Chapelard be elected Leader of the Council for the period ending on the date of the Annual Meeting 2026 in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution and the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Councillor Chapelard returned thanks and announced:

·         Thanks Councillor Dawlings for advice and support moving into new role.

·         Announced the ‘Borough Partnership’ made up Councillors from the following parties Lib Dems, Labour, Tunbridge Wells Alliance, and Independent Councillor of Paddock Wood East focusing in the following 5 areas

o   Safeguarding Finances

o   Vibrant and Safer Towns and Villages

o   Carbon Reduction

o   Affordable Housing

o   Digital Access

Councillor Chapelard announced the following Cabinet:

·         Councillor Warne - Rural Communities and Deputy Leader

·         Councillor Rutland – Tunbridge Wells Town and Local Areas

·         Councillor Everitt - Environment, Sustainability and Carbon Reduction

·         Councillor Pound – Housing and Planning

·         Councillor Fitzsimmons – Leisure, Wellbeing and Culture

·         Councillor Hayward – Governance and Transparency

·         Councillor Hickey – Finance and Performance

Councillor Chapelard also announced the following roles to help deliver on his 5 focus areas:

·         Councillor Lidstone – Walking and Cycling Champion

·         Councillor Sankey – Local Business Champion

·         Councillor Britcher-Allan – Charities and Voluntary Sector Champion

·         Councillor Ellis – Town market Champion

To consider and, if thought fit, to approve the recommendations set out in the report.

Councillor Chapelard moved, and Councillor Hayward seconded, the recommendations set out in papers tabled at the meeting and to be published as a supplement to the agenda.

The Mayor took a vote on the motion by affirmation.

RESOLVED –

1.    That the allocation of seats to Committees (political balance) as set out at appendix A to the report be approved; and

2.    That the appointments to the Committees as set out at appendix B to the report be approved.

To consider any other items which the Mayor decides are urgent, for the reasons to be stated, in accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There was no urgent business.

To authorise the Common Seal of the Council to be affixed to any contract, minute, notice or other document arising out of the minutes, or pursuant to any delegation, authority or power conferred by the Council.

Councillor Bland moved, and Councillor Patterson seconded, the recommendation set out in the notice on the agenda.

The Mayor took a vote on the motion by affirmation.

RESOLVED – That the Common Seal of the Council be affixed to any contract, minute, notice or other document arising out of the minutes or pursuant to any delegation, authority or power conferred by the Council.

To note that the date of the next scheduled meeting is 6 July 2022.

The next scheduled meeting was 6 July 2022.