Agenda and draft minutes

The Chief Executive read out the Notice convening the meeting.

There then followed prayers by the Mayors chaplain.

Apologies were received from Councillors Stephanie Brookfield, Derek Hardman, Suleman Khonat and Terri Mahmood.

To receive as a correct records the minutes of the Finance Council meeting held on 24^th February 2025.

That the minutes of the Finance Council meeting held on 24^th February 2025 be agreed as a correct record.

Councillor Tony Humphrys declared a personal but non prejudicial interest in the motion relating to ‘free leisure’ in his capacity as the Armed Forces champion for the Council.

Councillors  Paul Marrow, Jim Shorrock, John Slater and Neil Slater also declared personal interests in the same item as they were either Royal Navy or Army veterans.

The Mayor updated Council on recent activities he and the Mayoress had attended since the last meeting.  This included:

·       Opening of new businesses within the Borough

·       Numerous Iftar events

·       Celebrated International Women’s Day by attending numerous events across the Borough including a concert at Lammack Methodist Church

·       Let’s Go Sing event which was held over 5 nights and was also supported by the Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress

·       Various Mayor’s Balls

The Mayor encouraged Members to take part in a Charity Quiz Night on 17^th April at Edgeworth Cricket Cub to help raise funds for his chosen charities.

The Mayor also acknowledged that this was his last Council Forum meeting and thanked Members for their contributions to the meetings during his term of office.  In response the three Group Leaders congratulated the Mayor on how he had chaired the Council meetings and thanked him for how he had conducted himself during his Mayoral year.

To consider any questions from members of the public under Procedure Rule 10.

The Chief Executive announced that no questions had been submitted by members of the public under Procedure Rule 10.

To consider any Motions received under Procedure Rule 12.

(a)  Free Leisure

Considering current threats to world peace this Council welcomes the Government’s decision to increase the amount of spending on the nation’s defence.  Integral to our security is the bravery and expertise of our armed services, which our Council has recognised by its endorsement of the Armed Forces Community Covenant which it signed up to in 2013.

Under the terms of the Covenant the Council pledges to help the public to understand and be aware of the issues that can affect the armed forces community, encourage activities that help to integrate the armed forces community into local life and encourage the armed forces community to help and support their local community.

Amongst the many services the Council provides to aid both serving personnel and veterans are discounted leisure sessions; whilst this is to be applauded we feel that these sessions should be free nationally with funding provided by Government and the NHS.

·       Sport England research found that £9.5 billion is the value physical activity makes to the economy through the prevention of several serious physical and mental health conditions.  Of this amount £5.2 billion in healthcare savings and £1.7 billion in social care savings.

·       Each year government receives £1 billion in lottery duty.

·       This financial year the NHS is expected to receive funding of £192 billion.

·       With just £1 billion the 383 local authorities in the UK could each receive £2.6 million of funding.

To quote Frank Hu, Associate Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health “The single thing that comes close to a magic bullet, in terms of its strong and universal benefits, is exercise.”

We request that this Council will in addition to supporting this motion and our armed service personnel and veterans consider initiating partnerships that will allow free access to the borough’s leisure facilities.

We further request that the Chief Executive writes to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Health Secretary asking that sufficient ring-fenced funding be allocated to all local authorities signed up to the Armed Forces Community Covenant, allowing them to offer free leisure services and amenities to our armed service personnel and veterans.

To be moved by Councillor John Slater

Seconded by Councillor Paul Marrow

The Chief Executive announced that one motion had been submitted under Procedure Rule 12.

Free Leisure

Considering current threats to world peace this Council welcomes the Government’s decision to increase the amount of spending on the nation’s defence.  Integral to our security is the bravery and expertise of our armed services, which our Council has recognised by its endorsement of the Armed Forces Community Covenant which it signed up to in 2013.

Under the terms of the Covenant the Council pledges to help the public to understand and be aware of the issues that can affect the armed forces community, encourage activities that help to integrate the armed forces community into local life and encourage the armed forces community to help and support their local community.

Amongst the many services the Council provides to aid both servicing personnel and veterans are discounted leisure sessions; whilst this is to be applauded, we feel that these sessions should be free nationally with funding provided by Government and the NHS.

·       Sport England research found that £9.5 billion is the value physical activity makes to the economy through the prevention of several serious physical and mental health conditions.  Of this amount £5.2 billion in healthcare savings and £1.7 billion in social care savings.

·       Each year government receives £1 billion in lottery duty.

·       This financial year the NHS is expected to receive funding of £192 billion.

·       With just £1 billion the 383 local authorities in the UK could each receive £2.6 million of funding.

To quote Frank Hu, Associate Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health “The single thing that comes close to a magic bullet, in terms of its strong and universal benefits, is exercise.”

We request that this Council will in addition to supporting this motion and our armed service personnel and veterans consider initiating partnerships that will allow free access to the borough’s leisure facilities.

We further request that the Chief Executive writes to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Health Secretary asking that sufficient ring-fenced funding be allocated to all local authorities signed up to the Armed Forces Community Covenant, allowing them to offer free leisure services and amenities to our armed service personnel and veterans.

Moved by: Councillor John Slater

Seconded by: Councillor Paul Marrow

RESOLVED

That the motion be CARRIED.

A report on nominations to office of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for 2025/26 was submitted for consideration.

At the Council Forum meeting on 22^nd July 2022 a five-year rotation had been agreed which helped to facilitate this year’s nominations. 

RESOLVED

(1)  That it be noted Councillor Jaqueline Slater would be formally nominated as Mayor for 2025/26 at the Annual Council meeting.

(2)  That in accordance with the rotation arrangements agreed at the Council Forum meeting on 22^nd July 2022 it be confirmed that the Labour Group nominates the Deputy Mayor for 2025/26 who would be formally nominated at the Annual Council meeting.

Council considered a report asking it to exercise its powers under Section 91 of the Local Government Act 1972 by authorising the making of an order to appoint persons to Eccleshill Parish Council on a temporary basis, until the next scheduled elections in May 2026 to enable it to function.

It was reported the composition of Eccleshill Parish Council was five parish councillors.  At the last election on 5^th May 2022 five valid nominations were received and as these weren’t contested the five candidates were duly elected.  However, since then, there had been a number of resignations and vacancies.  The vacancies were filled by co-option, under the Parish Council’s Co-option Policy.  Subsequently there had also been issues with regards to the validity of resignation notices and also in relation a purported co-option.

As a result, there was only one remaining Parish Councillor which meant the Parish Council was inquorate and could not function or operate.  Therefore, the District Council could by order, under Section 91 of the Local Government Act 1972, appoint persons to fill all or any of the vacancies until other Councillors were elected and take up office.

RESOLVED

(1)  That an order be made under Section 91 of the Local Government Act 1972, the effect of which was to appoint on a temporary basis the following persons to fill the four vacancies on Eccleshill Parish so that the Parish Council was quorate and could continue to act:

·       Councillor Elaine Whittingham

·       Councillor Anthony Shaw

·       Councillor Mustafa Desai

·       Councillor John Slater

(2)  That delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the group leaders and ward councillors to make orders under Section 91 of the Local Government Act 1972 should a similar situation arise in future in respect of any parish council in the borough.

Following the recent retirement of the former Strategic Director Environment and Communities, a report was submitted seeking agreement to various changes to the Council’s Constitution.  This reflected the temporary distribution of management responsibilities between Directors until the post was filled.  It was noted a recruitment process was conducted during February 2025, but no appointment was made.

Council was advised that this did not affect the Portfolio responsibilities.

RESOLVED

That the amendments to the Council’s Constitution, as set out in Appendix A attached to the report, be approved.

10.1  Overview and Scrutiny Committees

Council Forum received an update on work of the Policy and Corporate Resources, Health and Social Care, Children and Young People and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committees since the last meeting.

Councillor Phil Riley preented his report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Councillor Vicky McGurk presented her report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Councillor Quesir Mahmood presented his report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Councillor Damian Talbot presented his report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Councillor Jim Smith presented his report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Councillor Jackie Floyd presented her report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Councillor Mahfooz Hussain presented his report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

Councillor Julie Gunn presented her report and responded to questions from Members.

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

To consider any questions received from Members under Procedure Rule 11.

The Chief Executive announced that no questions had been submitted by Members under Procedure Rule 11.