Agenda and minutes

To receive, as read, the Minutes of the proceedings of the previous Council meetings held on 22^nd February 2023 and 5^th April 2023, and to confirm them or otherwise.

RESOLVED         The Minutes of the meetings of the Council held on the 22^nd February and 5^th April 2023 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.

To receive any declarations of interest.

Cllrs Arif Khan and Shah Hussain declared a pecuniary interest in Minute 77 as Mayor and Deputy Mayor elect.  Cllr Asif Raja declared on other prejudicial interest in Minute 77.  The left the meeting and took no part in the discussion or decision.

To receive communications (if any) from Her Worshipful the Mayor.

The Mayor thanked retiring members Councillors Ann Royle, Wajid, Lord Khan and Tracy Kennedy for their service to the Council.

She also thanked those in addition to herself who were standing for re-election – Councillors Sehrish Lone, Anne Kelly, Mark Townsend, Howard Baker, Sarah Hall, Charlie Briggs, John Harbour, Mohammed Ishtiaq and Lorraine Mehanna.

The Mayor presented the following Long Service Awards to Councillors:

8 Years – Councillors Mohammed Ishtiaq and Alan Hosker.

20 Years – Councillors Gordon Birtwistle, Margaret Lishman and John Harbour.

To note the responses to the Accessible Streets Motion approved by Council.

The report and responses were noted.

To consider the calendar of meetings for the 2023/24 Municipal Year.

It was RESOLVED that the Calendar of Meetings for 2023/24 be approved.

To consider a report on the appointment of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for 2023/24.

Cllrs A Khan, S Hussain and A Raja left the room.

Council noted the position on the appointment of Mayor & Chair, and Deputy Mayor and Vice Chair for the municipal year 2023/24.

Cllrs A Khan, S Hussain and A Raja re-entered the room.

To consider a report on updates to the Constitution.

It was RESOLVED:

1.         That Council approve the following amendment to the Constitution Part 3, the Scheme of Delegation (Council Functions) b) Licensing Committee delegated to the Head of Legal and Democratic Services. Section1 (a) to be amended with the addition of the text in BOLD below:

1 (a) To be responsible for determining applications for Hackney Carriage vehicle and driver licences, Private Hire vehicle and driver licences and Private Hire Operators’ licences, and for applications for the renewal of existing licences… including the power to attach any conditions to taxi licences that are necessary to reflect the requirements of an applicant’s right to work status.

2.         That the call-in waiver be noted.

3.         That the report detailing urgent Executive decisions made from January 2021 to April 2023 be noted.

To consider a report on the arrangements for the recruitment and appointment of a new Chief Operating Officer.

Council RESOLVED to:

(a)       Endorse the report;

(b)       Confirm the Appointment Committee’s authority to conduct the recruitment within the financial parameters set out in this report;

(c)        Establish a budget of £20,000 for the cost of recruitment support and advertising as set out in the report;

RESOLVED That Committee Chair reports be noted.

RESOLVED              That the Strategic Plan Progress Reports of Executive Members be noted.