Councillors : G Baxter : M Brader : D Cheetham : M Emmens : N R Foster : C A Gill : F Higgins : D Hill : E N Hodd : Mrs K M Marr : W I Pryce : Mrs C A Smith : G J Sorrill : J Stocks : S P Temple : Mrs W Temple : J Williams.

Also present approximately 56 members of the general public.

Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Town Mayor (Councillor Jon Williams) presented cheques for £835.00 to the Ashgate Hospice and the Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice. He had nominated these two worthy causes to be recipients of his Charity Appeal.

Councillor Michael Emmens was nominated and seconded for the office of Town Mayor.

1. RESOLVED

That Councillor Michael Emmens be appointed Town Mayor for the Civic Year of 2004/2005.

Councillor Emmens then moved to the Chairperson’s seat and was invested by the former Town Mayor with the Chain of Office.

Councillor Emmens then made his Declaration of Acceptance of Office as Town Mayor and undertook to be guided by the National Code of Local Government Conduct. He then signed the Acceptance of Office book accordingly, which was witnessed by the Proper Officer of the Council.

The Town Mayor then thanked colleagues for his appointment and pledged to fulfil his duties in the manner expected. He praised both the town and its residents, and was pleased to hear comments that ‘Dronfield is a lovely town to live in’. He referred to the Town Guide, which shows the level of community involvement in the town’s affairs. He announced that during his Year of Office the Mayor’s Appeal will be donated to local groups, organisations and charities that brought benefit to the people of Dronfield.

 

VOTE OF THANKS TO RETIRING MAYOR

Councillor David Cheetham complimented Councillor Williams on fulfilling the role of Town Mayor over the past twelve months, but recognised that Jon had had a very ‘hard act to follow’, and had been the second of ’30-something’ Town Mayors. He assured Councillor Williams that there is life after being a Civic Dignitary, and he would get used to not seeing his photograph in every edition of the Dronfield Advertiser. He thanked Councillor Williams for carrying out the Chairperson’s duty with humour and the right degree of decorum and ability.

 

RETIRING MAYOR’S RESPONSE

Councillor Williams thanked all his colleagues for their support during his Year of Office. He explained that the role was a demanding one, especially for a person in full-time employment. He said he had done his best and had achieved a substantial amount of money for his chosen charities.

He thanked the Town Clerk and Christine, his secretary, along with all staff of the Town Council for their help and support over the year.

He was especially pleased to see so many residents in attendance tonight, but would like to see more at ordinary meetings. He was surprised and pleased at the level of community involvement and commitment to projects in the town. He praised the entire Council for the work they had done over the past few years in achieving their goals in providing new facilities like the Civic Hall, Gosforth Lodge, Coal Aston Pavilions etc.

He closed his remarks by wishing Councillor Emmens all the best of fortune in his Year of Office.

 

ELECTION OF DEPUTY MAYOR

Councillor David Hill and Councillor Mrs Wendy Temple were nominated and seconded for the position of Deputy Town Mayor. On a show of hands vote Councillor David Hill received the highest number of votes for his appointment.

2. RESOLVED

That Councillor David Hill be appointed Deputy Town Mayor for the Civic Year of 2004/2005.

 

APOLOGIES

3. RESOLVED

That apologies for absence be received and accepted from Councillor M Wing due to other business.

1. Co-ordinator of Policy and Finance

Councillor N R Foster and Councillor W I Pryce were nominated and seconded for the position of Co-ordinator of Policy and Finance. On a show of hands vote, Councillor Foster received the highest number of votes.

1. RESOLVED

That Councillor Nicholas Foster be appointed Co-ordinator of Policy and Finance for the Civic Year 2004/2005.

1. Deputy Co-ordinator of Policy and Finance

5. RESOLVED

That Councillor Graham Baxter be appointed Deputy Co-ordinator of Policy and Finance for the Civic Year 2004/2005.

 

REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES (Appendix 1)

Members considered a schedule of representatives and nominations for outside bodies.

6. RESOLVED

That the Members as shown on the attached schedule be appointed to represent this Council on the schedule of outside bodies.

 

CYCLE OF MEETINGS (Appendix 2)

Members considered a cycle of meetings and venues for the Civic Year 2004/2005.

7. RESOLVED

1. That the schedule of dates and times for meetings in the Civic Year 2004/2005 be received, noted and accepted.
2. That the venue for all Ordinary Meetings of the Council during 2004/2005 be Gosforth Lodge, Cliffe Park, Callywhite Lane, Dronfield.
3. That the Annual Meeting of the Council and the Annual Town Meeting continue to be held in the Civic Hall, Dronfield at the specified time and date.