Councillor Fleming proposed and Cllr Dickins seconded that Councillor Avril Hunter be elected Chairman of the Council for the next municipal year.

Resolved: That Councillor Avril Hunter be elected Chairman of the Council for the municipal year, 2022/23.

Councillor Avril Hunter made the declaration of acceptance of office and took the chair. The new Chairman thanked Council for her election.

The new Chairman led the Council in expressing sincere thanks to the outgoing Chairman, Councillor Diana Elser, for her service to the Council, to the District and for fundraising for and raising awareness of DAVSS. She also thanked Mr Michael Pearsall, in his role as Chairman’s Consort. Members expressed their appreciation. The new Chairman presented the past Chairman’s badge, shield and gift to Councillor Diana Esler, and a gift to Mr Michael Pearsall.

Councillor Esler expressed her thanks for her time in Office.

Councillor Hunter announced that her Consort for the year would be her husband, Mr Allan Hunter and presented him with the badge of office and a gift. She announced that Reverend Mark Bridgen, Parish of St Mary’s Kippington would be her Chaplain. The Assistant Chief Executive presented the Chairman with a gift as she took her seat.

COUNCILLOR HUNTER IN THE CHAIR

Councillor Fleming proposed and Councillor Dickins seconded that Councillor Alan Layland be elected Vice Chairman of the Council for the ensuing municipal year.

Resolved: That Councillor Layland be appointed Vice Chairman of the Council for the municipal year, 2022/23.

Councillor Layland made the declaration of acceptance of office and expressed his thanks to the Council for his appointment. His wife, Mrs Lyn Layland would be his consort. Councillor Layland was presented with the badge of office.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting of the Council hled on 26 April 2022, be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

There were no additional declarations of interest.

The Chairman announced that the focus for her year would be to promote the Council’s work on Net Zero while encouraging and supporting residentsand businesses to also consider reducing their carbon gas emissions. Her chosen charity for the year was the Sevenoaks Volunteer Transport Bureau, which was a facility for those who cannot get to hospital appointments by public transport. The charity were desperately short of Drivers and funds, and she hoped to raise awareness of their services through Sevenoaks and the surrounding villages as well.

The Chairman announced that her Civic Service would be on Saturday 23 July 2022 and her black tie dinner on 4 March 2023, at West Heath School, and asked Members to save these dates in their diaries

Resolved: That the report be noted.

Councillor Fleming moved, and Councillor Dickins seconded and it was unanimously

Resolved:  That

a)   the political balance of the Council be noted as: 45 Conservative; 3 Liberal Democrat; 2 Hextable Independent; 1 Labour; 1 Independent; and 1 no party description;

b)   the following political groupings be noted: 46 Conservative Group; 3 Liberal Democrats Group; 3 Sevenoaks Independent Group, leaving 2 ungrouped; and

c)   the allocation of seats as set out in the Appendix to the report be agreed.

Councillor Fleming proposed and Councillor Dickins seconded that the delegations to Committees and Officers, and delegations of executive functions by the Leader of the Council be agreed, and appointments to the Cabinet and the composition of the Cabinet Portfolios be noted.

Resolved: That

a)   the delegations to Committees (Parts 3 – 12 of the Constitution) and the delegations to Officers (Part 13 of the Constitution) be agreed; and

b)   the delegations of executive functions and appointments to the Cabinet, be noted.

Councillor Fleming moved and Councillor Dickins seconded that the Council’s Policy Framework as set out in Appendix F of the Constitution be confirmed.

Resolved: That the Council’s Policy Framework as set out in Appendix F of the Constitution be confirmed.

(Appointments to Advisory Committees and Boards within the Cabinet’s remit, will be made at the special Cabinet meeting following Annual Council.)

Councillor Fleming proposed and Councillor Dickins seconded that the appointments of Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Membership of Committees for the municipal year 2021/22 as detailed in the appendix to the report, be approved.

Resolved: That the appointments of Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and membership of Committees for 2022/23, be approved.

Councillor Fleming moved and Councillor Dickins seconded that the Calendar of meetings for the municipal year 2022/22, be confirmed. 

Resolved:  That the Calendar of ordinary meetings for the municipal year 2022/23 be confirmed.

Councillor Fleming moved and Councillor Dickins seconded that the appointment of representatives on outside organisations for the municipal year 2022/23 be agreed.

Resolved:  That the appointments to other organisations for the municipal year 2022/23 be confirmed.

The report was noted.