Cllr. Fleming moved and Cllr. Lowe seconded that Cllr. Philip McGarvey be elected Chairman of the Council for the municipal year 2015/16.

Resolved: That Cllr. Philip McGarvey be elected Chairman of the Council for the municipal year, 2015/16.

Cllr. McGarvey made the declaration of acceptance of office and took the chair. The new Chairman thanked the Council for his election and expressed his appreciation for the many good wishes he had received. Cllr McGarvey announced that his Escort and Chaplain for the year would be his wife, The Reverend Mrs Dorothy McGarvey who was presented with a badge of office and the Chaplain’s Cross.

The Chairman declared his support for DVASS (Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Services); requested Officers to ensure that Ward Members are always kept fully informed about developments in their ward; and as well as welcoming new members, those no longer here were thanked  for their years of service to their communities.

The new Chairman led the Council in expressing thanks to the outgoing Chairman, Mrs Davison, for her service to the Council and to the District. This was strongly supported by other Members who commented on the dedication Mrs Davison had shown to the District both as Deputy Leader of the Council and as Chairman.  Members noted that Mrs Davison had attended 300 events and functions as Chairman and had visited schools and voluntary organisations, sharing and celebrating the talents within the District.  Members also noted that Mrs Davison had reached out  to residents across the District and in turn raised the profile of the District through her use of social media and the Chairman’s Twitter account.  The new Chairman presented Mrs Davison with the past Chairman’s badge an engraved Sevenoaks Shield and flowers.   A gift of wine and a past Chairman’s Escort badge was given to Mr Davison.

In response Mrs Davison thanked Members for their kind comments highlighting her enjoyment of her year as Chairman.  Mrs Davison reported that she and Mr Davison had been made to feel very welcome at all the places they had visited and she thanked her husband, Richard for his support during the course of the year.  Mrs Davison ended by thanking Officers for their support and forbearance during the year.

Cllr. Fleming moved and Cllr. Lowe seconded that Cllr. Simon Raikes be elected Vice-Chairman of the Council for the municipal year 2015/16.

            Resolved: That Cllr. Raikes be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council for the municipal year, 2015/16.

Cllr. Raikes then made the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and expressed his thanks to the Council for his appointment.

The Chairman of the Council then presented the new Vice-Chairman’s Escort, Mrs Christine Raikes, with her badge of office.

The Chairman moved that the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 31 March 2015 be approved and signed as a correct record.

            Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 31 March 2015 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

There were no additional declarations of interest.

There were no additional Chairman’s announcements.

Councillor Lowe moved and Councillor Dickins seconded that Councillor Peter Fleming appointed to the office of Leader of the Council for the next 4 years.

Resolved: that Councillor Peter Fleming appointed to the office of Leader of the Council for the next 4 years.

(to follow)

Cllr. Fleming moved and Cllr. Lowe seconded that the appointments of Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Membership of Committees for the municipal year 2015/16 as detailed in the Appendix to the report, be approved.

            Resolved: That the Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and membership of Committees for the municipal year 2015/16 be approved, as set out in Appendix A to these minutes.

Cllr. Fleming moved and Cllr. Ms. Lowe seconded that the delegations to Committees and Officers be agreed and that the delegations of executive functions by the Leader of the Council, and appointments to the Cabinet and the composition of the Cabinet Portfolios (attached to the minutes as Appendix B) be noted.

The Leader of the Council reported that responsibility for Emergency Planning would move to the Economic and Community Development Portfolio.

Resolved: That

(a)          the delegations to Committees (as set out in Parts 3-8 and Parts 9-12 of the Constitution) and the delegations to Officers (as set out in Part 13 of the Constitution) be confirmed; 

(b)          the delegations of executive functions and appointments to the Cabinet made by the Leader, be noted.

Councillor Fleming moved and Councillor Lowe seconded that the revised Calendar of ordinary meetings for the municipal year 2015/16 be confirmed.

The Leader of the Council reported that there had been a number of changes to the Calendar of Meetings in the days running up to the Annual Council meeting and further minor changes could be made during the municipal year.

Resolved that the revised Calendar of ordinary meetings for the municipal year 2015/16 be confirmed.

(to follow)

Cllr. Fleming moved and Cllr. Ms. Lowe seconded that the appointment of representatives on outside organisations for the municipal year 2015/16 be agreed (attached to the minutes as Appendix C).

Resolved:  That the non executive appointments to other organisations for the municipal year 2015/16 be confirmed.

(to follow)

Councillor Fleming moved and Cllr Lowe seconded that the Returning Officer’s report be noted.

Resolved: that the Returning Officer’s report be noted.

The report was noted.