Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman of the Council for the ensuing municipal year 2023/24.

The retiring Chairman of the Council, Councillor M D Conolly, welcomed new and returning Members to the meeting and called for nominations for the election of a Chairman of the Council.

It was moved by Councillor P M Brivio, duly seconded by Councillor K Mills, that Councillor G Cowan be elected Chairman of Dover District Council for the ensuing municipal year.

In the absence of any other nominations, it was put to the meeting and

RESOLVED:       That Councillor G Cowan be elected as Chairman of Dover District Council for the ensuing municipal year 2023/24.

(Councillor G Cowan, having made his declaration of acceptance of office, took the chair, and addressed the Council.)

The Chairman presented the retiring Chairman with the Past Chairman’s Badge and thanked him for his service.

To appoint a Vice-Chairman of the Council for the ensuing municipal year 2023/24.

The Chairman of the Council, Councillor G Cowan, called for nominations for the Vice-Chairman of the Council.

It was moved by Councillor K Mills, duly seconded by Councillor J L Pout, that Councillor D G Cronk be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council for the ensuing municipal year.

In the absence of any other nominations, it was put to the meeting and

RESOLVED:       That Councillor D G Cronk be appointed as Vice-Chairman of Dover District Council for the ensuing municipal year 2023/24.

(Councillor D G Cronk made his declaration of acceptance of office and addressed the Council.)

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D P Murphy, M Rose and C F Woodgate.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 March 2023 (to follow).

The Minutes of the meeting held on 1 March 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members in respect of business to be transacted on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made by Members.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman of the Council and/or the Head of Paid Service.

There were no announcements.

To elect the Leader of the Council for a period of four years until the day of the next Annual Meeting of the Council following the ordinary election of all Councillors in 2027.

It was moved by Councillor C D Zosseder, and duly seconded by Councillor J L Pout, that Councillor K Mills be elected Leader of the Council for a period of four years until the day of the next Annual Meeting of the Council following the ordinary election of all Councillors in 2027.

On being put to the meeting it was

RESOLVED:       That Councillor K Mills be elected the Leader of the Council for a period of four years until the day of the next Annual Meeting of the Council following the ordinary election of all councillors in 2027.

(Councillor K Mills addressed the Council and thanked his predecessor, Councillor T J Bartlett for his service as Leader.)

To note the size and composition of the Cabinet set by the Leader of the Council.

In accordance with Rule 1.1(vii) of the Council Procedure Rules, Councillor K Mills gave notice of his intention to appoint an Executive comprising of the Leader of the Council and five members, including the Deputy Leader.

RESOLVED:       (a)   That the composition of the Cabinet be received and noted.

(b)     That it be noted that the Leader of the Council had given formal notification to the Monitoring Officer of his intention to appoint the following portfolio structure:

To note the appointment of the Deputy Leader to hold office until the day of the next annual meeting of the Council following the ordinary election of all councillors in 2027.

In accordance with Rule 1.1(viii) of the Council Procedure Rules, Councillor K Mills gave notice of his intention to appoint Councillor J L Pout as Deputy Leader of the Council.

RESOLVED:       That the appointment of Councillor J L Pout as Deputy Leader be received and noted.

To note the appointment of Members to their portfolios.

In accordance with Rule 1.1(ix) of the Council Procedure Rules, Councillor K Mills gave notice of his intention to appoint the following Members to the following Portfolios:

To note the size and composition of the Shadow Cabinet, which must directly reflect the Cabinet.

It was moved by Councillor T J Bartlett, duly seconded by Councillor C A Vinson, and

RESOLVED:       That, in accordance with notice provided by the Leader of the Opposition Group, Councillor T J Bartlett, the Shadow Cabinet be composed of the following:

That the Council:

(a)   Appoint committees to deal with matters which are neither reserved to the Council nor are executive functions.

(b)   Review the allocation of seats to political groups and non-aligned members.

(c)   Appoint Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen, Spokespersons and Deputy Spokespersons to committees as appropriate.

The Democratic and Corporate Services Manager presented the report on the Review of Allocation of Seats to Political Groups.

Members were advised of the intention of the Labour Group to give one of its allocated seats on the Licensing Committee to the Non-Aligned Member. As this allocation was not for one of the Ordinary Committees it would only need to be approved by majority vote.

It was moved by Councillor K Mills, duly seconded and

RESOLVED:       That, having noted the allocation of seats calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the Council Committees be constituted as indicated below for the ensuring municipal year and the Boards and Forums be constituted with the membership, Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Spokespersons as shown:

LEAD MEMBERS (AND SHADOW LEAD MEMBERS)

Dover Joint Transportation Board

7 Dover District Councillors

7 Kent County Councillors

3 Town Council Representatives (Dover, Deal and Sandwich) – non-voting

2 Kent Association of Local Councils Representatives – non-voting

Joint Staff Consultative Forum (5 Seats)

5 Dover District Councillors

5 Staff Member Representatives

Joint Health, Safety and Welfare Consultative Forum (5 Seats)

5 Dover District Councillors

5 Staff Member Representatives

To approve a programme of ordinary meetings of the Council for the ensuing municipal year (to follow).

The Democratic and Corporate Services Manager presented the report on the Calendar of Ordinary Meetings 2023/24.

The Leader of the Council announced that the start time for Cabinet meetings would be changed from 11:00am to 6:00pm.

It was moved by Councillor K Mills, duly seconded and

RESOLVED:       That the Calendar of Meetings for 2023 - 24 be approved subject to the amendment of the start time of the Cabinet meetings from 11:00am to 6:00pm.

To consider the attached report of the Strategic Director (Corporate and Regulatory).

It was moved by Councillor H M Williams, duly seconded, and

RESOLVED: That the Annual Report of the Governance Committee be noted.

To consider the report of the Monitoring Officer (to follow).

It was moved by Councillor C D Zosseder, duly seconded, and

RESOLVED:       That the Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted.

There were no items of urgent business for consideration.