HTC/M1

HUNTINGDON TOWN COUNCIL

The Annual Meeting of Huntingdon Town Council was held in the Town Hall, Huntingdon, on Thursday 16th May 2013.

Present: Councillor C Hyams (Mayor) (Presiding)

Councillors: A Beevor; A Bish; A Blackwell; A Cole; A Ellington; T Forster; W Hensley; P Kadewere; A Mackender-Lawrence; C MacKender -Lawrence; S Mulcahy; J Sarabia; P Shrapnel; R Subhan and K Sumner.

In attendance There were approximately 120 civic guests and members of the public in attendance

The Mayor welcomed those in attendance and before the commencement of proceedings, invited the Deputy Mayor’s Chaplain, Mr Richard Hough, to say a prayer.

1. ELECTION OF MAYOR 2013/14

The Mayor proposed Councillor W Hensley to be elected Mayor for the local government year. He referred to his involvement with Huntingdon Community Radio and its impressive voluntary support and to his membership of the Board of Directors at Wood Green Animal Shelter.

The meeting heard that Councillor Hensley had been elected in May 2011 and that during his time with the Council he had served as Deputy Mayor and as Chairman of a number of Sub Committees of the Council. As a County Councillor he had served three terms and his community service included positions of Chairman and Trustee of the local hospital radio station, Chairman of the Sea Cadet Unit and Trustee of the Commemoration Hall Charity.

The nomination was seconded by Councillor Mulcahy and it was unanimously

RESOLVED that Councillor Hensley be duly elected Mayor of Huntingdon for the local government year 2013/14.

The meeting was adjourned whilst the outgoing and incoming Mayors retired for robing.

Upon returning as Chairman, Councillor Hensley made a Declaration of Acceptance of Office, which he duly signed, witnessed by the Town Clerk.

The Mayor then addressed the Council with his acceptance speech, in which he mentioned his ambition to become Mayor since moving to the local area in 1973. He considered it an honour to be elected by his fellow Members, who he thanked and promised to carry out his Mayoral duties to the best of his ability. The meeting heard how much he had enjoyed his year of service as Deputy Mayor in 2012-13.

He appealed to those present to help him nominate his Mayoral Charities. Local charities where a few hundred pounds would make a real difference were his target for support.

Finally he encouraged contact from community organisations looking to raise their profile or funds with his support.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Councillors S Akthar, S Hassell and T Sanderson.

3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were none.

4. MINUTES

Copies of the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 25th April 2013 had been published only shortly before the meeting. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously

RESOLVED to defer approval and adoption of these until the next meeting.

5. APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY MAYOR

It was proposed by the Mayor and seconded by Councillor Hyams that Councillor T Forster be appointed Deputy Mayor for the ensuing year.

Councillor Sumner nominated Councillor T Shrapnel for the position of Deputy Mayor and his proposal was seconded by Councillor Sarabia.

A vote was taken and the majority

RESOLVED to appoint Councillor T Forster as Deputy Mayor for the ensuing municipal year.

The Mayor congratulated Councillor Forster on her appointment as Deputy Mayor and invited her to retire for the purposes of robing.

On her return to the Chamber the Deputy Mayor, Councillor T Forster made a Declaration of Acceptance of Office, which she duly signed, witnessed by the Town Clerk. 6. EXPRESSION OF THANKS TO THE RETIRING MAYOR

The Mayor paid tribute to the service of the outgoing Mayor, Councillor C Hyams, who then addressed the meeting in a speech, a copy of which is lodged with the Town Clerk.

The Mayor, Councillor W Hensley, explained that it was Huntingdon’s tradition to award former Mayor’s of the town a badge indicating their year of office and presented his badge and upon seconding it was

RESOLVED that the Council’s thanks and appreciation be recorded to Councillor Colin Hyams, for his service to the town as Town Mayor.

7. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES FOR THE ENSUING YEAR

Upon a motion moved by Councillor Forster, seconded by Councillor Hyams, it was

RESOLVED (i) that the following Standing Committees be appointed for the Local Government year 2013-14:

- Finance Committee, - Leisure and Community Services Committee, - Planning Committee; and

RESOLVED (ii) that all Members of the Council be appointed to serve on these Committees.

8. APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES

Members had before them a list of appointments to be made for the local government year to around various organisations. It was proposed, seconded and

RESOLVED to postpone making any appointments until the next meeting of the Council.

9. MAYOR’S CLOSING REMARKS

The Mayor advised that during the year Fred Carter would continue as his Macebearer, that Rev Andrew Milton would continue as Mayor’s Chaplain and that Sea Cadet, Jack Clarke was to be his Mayor’s Cadet.

Guests were thanked for their attendance and invited to join with the Mayor and Councillors in some light refreshments before the meeting was closed.

MAYOR