ON MONDAY 10 MAY 2010

Present

Councillors: F Higgins, (The Town Mayor): G Baxter: R Bembridge: P Blackburn: R Bull: M Emmens: G Gregory: Mrs K Marr: J McGrory: A Memmott: D Oxspring: Mrs B Skelton: Mrs C Smith: Mrs W Temple: S P Temple: T Winfrow.

1. Election of Town Mayor

Councillor Philip Blackburn was nominated and seconded to be appointed to the position of Town Mayor for the Civic Year 2010/2011. No further nominations were received.

01/10-11 Resolved

That Councillor Philip Hadyn Blackburn be duly elected to the position of Town Mayor for the Civic Year 2010/2011.

The Mayor’s Declaration of Acceptance of Office

Councillor Blackburn then took the position of Chair and was invested with the chain of officer. He then made the following declaration:

“I, Philip Hadyn Blackburn, having been elected to the Office of Town Mayor hereby declare that I take this office upon myself, and will duly and faithfully fulfil the duties of it according to the best of my judgement and ability. I undertake to be guided by the National Code of Local Government Conduct in the performance of my functions in that Office”. The declaration was witnessed and dated by the Proper Officer of the Council.

The Mayor’s Address to the Council upon his Appointment

Councillor Blackburn thanked all his colleagues on the Council for bestowing the mayorship upon him and said he felt proud and honoured in being elected to a truly historic post that dates back over a thousand years to the times of the Normans. He thanked Councillor Higgins for all his hard work and achievements in his year of office. He stated that his nominated charities for his year of appeal would be local organisations and community groups. He had already spoken to several interested parties and would be approaching local businesses with a view to involving them in sponsorship and mutual benefit events throughout the year. He closed by thanking Mike and Joyce Emmens for roping him in to local community work in the first place and was delighted to be one of the youngest Town Mayors.

Vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor

The new Mayor offered a vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor, Councillor Frank Higgins and said he had done a wonderful job during his term of office in meeting so many groups and local organisations.

The Retiring Mayor’s Response

Councillor Frank Higgins responded that it was hard to believe that it was just a year since he had accepted the office of Mayor and had enjoyed a fantastic and enjoyable year. He thanked all his colleagues for their help and support throughout the year.

He had met so many groups of local residents and bands on volunteers who all enhance the life of our community. He had visited so many events and functions and was proud to have represented the town in so many ways.

He reported that The Mayor’s Appeal had collected almost £6,000 and the proceeds would be donated to the local Alzheimer’s Group and The Samaritans.

He closed by wishing Councillor Blackburn all the very best in his year of office.

Election of Deputy Town Mayor

Councillor Doug Oxspring was nominated and seconded to be appointed to the position of Deputy Town Mayor for the Civic Year 2010/2011. No further nominations were received.

02/10-11 Resolved

That Councillor Doug Stuart Oxspring be duly elected to the position of Deputy Town Mayor for the Civic Year 2010/2011.

Apologies for Absence

03/10-11 Resolved

That apologies for absence from the following elected members and the reasons for their absence be received and accepted.

Councillor J Sorrill (Other Business) Councillor J Stocks (Other Business)

Councillor M Wing. (Illness)

The Leader of the Council

Councillor Simon Temple was nominated and seconded to be appointed to the position of Leader of the Council for the Civic Year 2010/2011. No further nominations were received.

04/10-11 Resolved

That Councillor Simon Temple be duly elected to the position of The Leader of the Council for the Civic Year 2010/2011.

The Deputy Leader of the Council.

Councillor Doug Oxspring was nominated and seconded to be appointed to the position of The Deputy Leader of the Council for the Civic Year 2010/2011. No further nominations were received.

05/10-11 Resolved

That Councillor Doug Oxspring be duly elected to the position of The Deputy Leader of the Council for the Civic Year 2010/2011.

Representatives on Outside Bodies

Members considered a schedule of elected members who sit and represent the Council on various outside bodies. Several changes were made to the representation of Liberal Democrat members but no changes were made to the Labour or Conservative list of members.

06/10-11 Resolved

That the list of members representing the Council on various outside bodies (as per the attached listing) be received and noted.

That the outside bodies concerned be informed of any changes to the representation.

Cycle of Meetings

Members considered a proposed cycle of the dates and times of Council Meetings through out the forthcoming Civic Year.

07/10-11 Resolved

That the cycle of meetings for the Civic Year 2010/2011 (as appended) be received and approved.