Cllr. Fleming proposed and Cllr. Mrs. Davison seconded that Cllr. Alan Pett be elected Chairman of the Council for the ensuing municipal year.

Resolved: That Cllr. Alan Pett be elected Chairman of the Council for the municipal year, 2013/14.

Cllr. Pett then 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 Pett announced that his Escort for the year would be Mrs Sylvia Eccles and presented her with a badge of office.

The new Chairman led the Council in expressing thanks to the outgoing Chairman, Cllr. Mrs  Morris, for her service to the Council and to the District. This was strongly supported by other Members who commented on Cllr. Morris’s exemplary service as Chairman and support of the Olympic Torch Relay and Paralympic events across the District.  The new Chairman presented Cllr. Morris with the past Chairman’s badge, a gift and flowers, and a past Chairman’s Escort badge and a gift to Mr Morris.

In response Cllr. Mrs Morris commented on the many events she had attended during the year and thanked Members and Officers for their support.  The aim of the civic year had been “Fun and Celebration” and Cllr Mrs Morris hoped that this had been achieved in a great Olympic and Jubilee year.  Cllr Mrs Morris offered particular thanks to her husband and daughter who had provided tireless support during the year.

Cllr. Fleming proposed and Cllr. Ms. Lowe seconded that Cllr. Mrs Jill Davison be elected Vice-Chairman of the Council for the ensuing municipal year.

            Resolved: That Cllr. Mrs Davison be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council for the municipal year, 2013/14.

Cllr. Mrs Davison then made the declaration of acceptance of office and expressed her thanks to the Council for his appointment.

The Chairman of the Council then presented the new Vice-Chairman’s Escort, Cllr. Richard Davison, with his badge of office.

The Chairman proposed that the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 23 April 2013 be approved and signed as a correct record.

            Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 23 April        2013 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

No additional declarations of interest were made.

The Chairman announced that he intended to help promote lesser known parts of the District that needed additional promotion.

A Civic Service would be held at St Mary’s, Woodlands in the Autumn.  Further details of the service would follow at a later date.

At the current time, the Chairman would not be nominating a specific charity but would keep the situation under review.

Cllr Fleming proposed and Cllr Ms Lowe seconded that full Council approve the new governance arrangements set out at Appendix B of the report incorporating the suggestions made by the Modern Local Government Group on 9^th May 2013.

The Leader thanked Members and Officers for their support in taking the new proposals forward.  It was hoped that the new structure would help Members to feel more involved in decision making.

The Leader of the Labour Group highlighted that one of the unintentional consequences of the new system was restrictions on Membership of the Scrutiny Committee on opposition groups.   This would need to be reviewed and monitored over the coming year.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group expressed serious reservations  about the new system.

Following a vote it was

Resolved: That the new governance arrangements set out appendix B of the report and incorporating the suggestions made by the Modern Local Government Group on 9^th May 2013 be approved.

(Subject to the decision taken at Agenda Item 6)

Cllr. Fleming proposed and Cllr. Ms. Lowe seconded that the appointments of Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Membership of Committees for the ensuing municipal year and recommendation as detailed in the papers tabled at the meeting, be approved.  In proposing the motion, Cllr Fleming reported that there was a typing error within the Scrutiny Committee and that Cllr Cameron Clark would sit on the Committee, not Cllr Carol Clark as stated in the papers.

            Resolved: That the Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and membership of Committees for the municipal year 2012/13 be approved, as set out in Appendix A to these minutes.

(Subject to the decision taken at Agenda Item 6)

Cllr. Fleming proposed and Cllr. Ms. Lowe seconded that the delegations to Committees, the delegations to Officers and Appendix B – Budget and Policy Framework be confirmed 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 be noted.

Resolved: That

a)        the delegations to Committees and Officers and Appendix B of the Constitution – Budget and Policy Framework, be approved; and

b)    that the appointments to the Cabinet and delegations of executive functions for 2013/14 made by the Leader, as set out in Appendix B to these minutes, be noted.

(Subject to the decision taken at Agenda Item 6)

Cllr. Fleming moved and Cllr. Ms. Lowe seconded that the Calendar of Meetings for ensuing Municipal Year, be agreed.  It was noted that an additional meeting of the Finance and Resources Advisory Committee would have to be held between November 2013 and February 2014.

            Resolved: That the Calendar of Meetings for the ensuing Municipal Year 2013/14, be agreed subject to the inclusion of an additional Finance and Resources Advisory Committee meeting between November 2013 and February 2014.

Cllr. Fleming moved and Cllr. Ms. Lowe seconded that the appointment of representatives on outside organisations for the ensuing Municipal Year be as set out in the papers tabled at the meeting.  It was reported that Cllr Paddy Cooke would be the Council’s representative for the Edenbridge & Westerham Citizens Advice Bureaux.

            Resolved: That the appointment of representatives on Outside Organisations for 2013/14 as amended, as set out in Appendix C to these minutes, be approved.

The report was noted.