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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Council Chamber

Contact: Democratic Services 

Items
No. Item

2.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

None

3.

To elect a Chairman of the County Council for the Civic Year 2017/18

Minutes:

The Chairman, County Councillor J. Higginson, addressed Council and thanked all who had supported him during his year of office. 

The past year had been an honour for both the Chairman, and his consort, who offered sincere thanks to colleagues for the opportunity.

The Chairman noted the success of the Eisteddfod and noted the congratulations received by the organisers of the event.  He added that as an authority we should be justly proud of the achievement, indicating officer’s’ diligent work in the weeks and months ahead of the event.  He added particular thanks to the Welsh Language staff who had provided help in Welsh tutoring in preparation for the opening speech.  The Chairman also highlighted other outstanding moments including the Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, Gwent Music concert at the Royal Albert Hall, Commemoration of the Great London Fire and royal visits across the county.  We also heard of fundraising events for the Chairman’s charities, Ty Hafan and St. David’s Foundation. 

 

The Chairman expressed thanks to the courteous staff across the Authority, appreciating the invaluable help of Mrs. Linda Greer and Mrs. Julia Boyd.  Thanks were given to Steve Barker, the Chairman’s chauffer.

 

The Chairman offered his congratulations and best wishes to the incoming chair.

 

County Councillor P. Fox addressed Council and thanked County Councillor Higginson for his year in office, along with his consort, Pauline Collier for their work for the Council.  In reflecting on the Chairman’s’ year of office he expressed it had been a pleasure to work alongside such an outstanding Chairman, who always conducted a fair, well-balanced and productive meeting.  He commended Councillor Higginson on being a tremendous ambassador at the Eisteddfod, and noted the many events over the year particularly the moving Aberfan Service.Rememberance.  We heard the Chairman’s charities had so far raised over £5000.

 

The leaders of the political groups, County Councillor D. Batrouni, S. Howarth and L. Guppy echoed the sentiments of Councillor Fox.

 

It was moved by County Councillor P. Fox, and duly seconded by Councillor P. Murphy, that County Councillor M. Powell be elected as Chairman of Monmouthshire County Council for the Civic Year 2017/18.

 

County Councillor M. Powell made and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, was invested with her Chain of Office by the outgoing Chairman, and took the Chair.

 

The newly elected Chairman thanked Members for their support and announced that Mr. J. Powell would be her consort; Canon Mark Soady as Chaplain; and her charities would be the Alzheimer’s Society and Wales Air Ambulance.  Unfortunately, Mr. Powell was not able to attend and the Chairman thanks Mrs. E. Hacket Pain who was acting as Deputy Consort.

 

The Chairman then presented the outgoing Chairman with the Past Chairman’s Badge of Office.

 

 

 

 

4.

To appoint a Vice-Chairman of the County Council for the Civic Year 2017/18

Minutes:

It was moved by County Councillor R.J.W. Greenland, and seconded by County Councillor S.L. Jones that County Councillor P. Clarke be appointed as Vice Chairman of the County Council for the Civic Year 2017/18.

 

It was moved, as an amendment by County Councillor D. Batrouni, and seconded by County Councillor R. Harris that County Councillor K. Williams be appointed as Vice Chairman of the County Council for the Civic Year 2017/18.

 

Upon being put to the vote the following votes were cast:

 

For County Councillor Clarke:            26

For County Councillor Williams:         10

 

We resolved that County Councillor P. Clarke be appointed as Vice Chairman of the County Council for the Civic Year 2017/18.

 

County Councillor Clarke made and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, was invested with his Chain of Office by the Chairman, and took his position as Vice Chairman.

 

The Vice Chairman thanked Members for their support and offered his support to the newly elected Chairman.  The Vice Chairman’s consort would be Mrs. Jan Clarke.

 

The meeting concluded with the presentation of the Chain of Office to the incoming Chairman’s Deputy Consort, a pendant to the outgoing Chairman’s Consort, and the Chain of Office to the incoming Vice Chairman’s Consort.

           

5.

The following items will be deferred to the meeting of the County Council to be held on 18th May 2017:

Minutes:

We resolved that the remaining items of business be deferred to the meeting of the County Council to be held on 18th May 2017.