Agenda and draft minutes

To propose that a Member of the Council be elected as Chair.

It was moved by Councillor Nick Wilton, seconded by Councillor David Hughes and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That Councillor Steve Wain be elected Chair of the Council for the 2024/25 municipal year.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

To propose that a Member of the Council be appointed Vice-Chair.

It was moved by Councillor Bob Butcher, seconded by Councillor Dawn Greatorex and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That Councillor Lucy Peacock be elected as Vice-Chair of the Council for the 2024/2025 civic year.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

a)    To propose that a Member of the Council be appointed to the position of Civic Chair, with seconding and supporting speeches.

b)    Speech in reply by the newly appointed Civic Chair.

c)    The Civic Chair will propose a vote of thanks to the retiring Civic Chair.

It was moved by Councillor Neil Buttle, seconded by Councillor Peter Dobbs and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That Councillor Peter Slack be elected as Civic Chair of the Council for the 2024/25 civic year.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

The duly elected Civic Chair was invested with the Chain of Office and expressed his thanks to the retiring Civic Chair and Members for their vote of confidence.

To propose that a Member of the Council be appointed Deputy Civic Chair, with seconding and supporting speeches.

It was moved by Councillor Steve Flitter, seconded by Councillor Susan Hobson and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That Councillor David Chapman be elected as Deputy Civic Chair of the Council for the 2024/25 civic year.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

The duly elected Deputy Civic Chair was invested with the Chain of Office and thanked Members for their vote of confidence.

The purpose of this report is to consider the election of the Leader of the Council and Deputy Leader of the Council for the 2024/25 municipal year.

It was moved by Councillor David Hughes, seconded by Councillor David Peter Dobbs and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That Councillor Steve Flitter be elected as Leader of the Council for the 2024/25 municipal year.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

It was then moved by Councillor Martin Burfoot, seconded by Councillor Peter O’Brien and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That Councillor Neil Buttle and Councillor Bob Butcher be elected Deputy Leaders of the Council for the 2024/25 municipal year.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

Announcements of the Leader of the Council.

Councillor Steve Flitter, Leader of the Council, gave the following announcements:

“Well, it is nice to be back, as you will have heard we had a traumatic end to our holiday in Australia. Some would think it a bonus to be stranded in Dubai, but 24 hours sat on a plane, two days without sleep and thousands of people arguing, shouting and some fighting in the airport because of a sheer lack of information and communication was not my idea of bliss. And the story does not end there but I will not bore you with detail, however talking to people in the right way and showing respect, breeds respect, and that is what eased the strain we were under.

The D2 Leaders Strategic Board last Thursday was eventful, at our first meeting, it seems like the desire to chair and control the board meetings once again became an issue. Just like Ashbourne Reborn. Cllr Nigel Barker (Lab) from Northeast Derbyshire was elected much to my expectation but Cllr Barry Lewis was clearly unhappy, and after a statement that left no clarity, only confusion, as he intimidated a reduction in officer support, hosting and finance. When we came to item 7 talking about a partnership team and financial resources, it was clear that no-one could actually pin down the thoughts of the previous chair. I suggested that we accepted the creation of a support team in principle and worked on the financial aspect when the County’s leader’s actions had become clearer, then everyone would be aware of what was happening. I have spoken at length with Cllr Dawson and hopefully, we are to meet tomorrow to discuss a way forward.

Last year I had made it clear that the Progressive Alliance would work within the budget restraints but at the same time change the emphasis into a more open and transparent council. A council that appreciates its hard working and loyal staff, building a solid foundation for the future. Working alongside the corporate leadership team and other valued members of their teams we have now succeeded in creating a new corporate plan, that sets out our aims and objectives. We have now begun consultation on a new and exciting local plan that inspires support for rural villages, market towns and residents across the Derbyshire Dales.

We have addressed the needs of climate change and biodiversity as a green thread throughout our policies, and completed works on decarbonisation of our buildings. We are exploring avenues to increase social housing to meet the needs of our local communities. We have reinstated some visitor toilet facilities in the Dales hotspots and the car parking review almost complete that saw residents with an extra hour of free parking with the bonus of supporting local business. Our economic development team are continuing to support local business not only with advice but also through UKSPF grants and other funding generated by this council. The list is endless.

So, what is in store for next year, well  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6/24

It was moved by Councillor Steve Wain, seconded by Councillor Matt Buckler and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That the order of business be altered to bring item 15 - Public Participation and item 16 - Amendments to the Constitution forward to be considered immediately after item 9 – Interests.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

14 April 2024

It was moved by Councillor Nick Wilton, Seconded by Councillor Peter Dobbs and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That the minutes of a meeting of Council held on 04 April 2024 be approved as a correct record.

Voting

28 For

00 Against

03 Abstained

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

Members are required to declare the existence and nature of any interests they may have in subsequent agenda items in accordance with the District Council’s Code of Conduct. Those interests are matters that relate to money or that which can be valued in money, affecting the Member, her/his partner, extended family and close friends. Interests that become apparent at a later stage in the proceedings may be declared at the time.

There were no declarations of interest.

To enable members of the public to ask questions, express views or present petitions, IF NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN, (by telephone, in writing or by email) BY NO LATER THAN 12 NOON OF THE WORKING DAY PRECEDING THE MEETING. As per Procedural Rule 14.4 at any one meeting no person may submit more than 3 questions and no more than 1 such question may be asked on behalf of one organisation.

Mr Philip Sunderland, local resident, spoke regarding the ongoing work of the Gypsy and Traveller Working Group and the Traveller family currently residing on a District Council owned car park in Matlock Bath.

This report details a series of proposals to amend the Constitution of the Council to ensure that it is up to date. The accelerant to this work has been the deletion of the Director of Regulatory Services post and the sharing of responsibilities to other officers in the structure. During the process of updating the Constitution other minor amendments have been identified and are proposed for agreement.

The Director of Corporate and Customer Services introduced a report which detailed a series of proposals to amend the Council’s Constitution to ensure that it could be brought up to date.

It was noted within the report that an accelerant for this work was the deletion of the Director of Regulatory Services post and the sharing of responsibilities to other officers in the structure. During the process of updating the Constitution to reflect this change, other minor amendments were identified and proposed to Members within this report for agreement.

The sections of the Constitution proposed for amendments were included as appendices to the report.

It was moved by Councillor Matt Buckler, seconded by Councillor Peter Dobbs and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

1.    That Part 2 (Article 9) be amended to incorporate reference to Statutory Officers Group and not, Senior Management Team, in addition to removal of references to the post titled Corporate Director;

2.    That Part 3 (Responsibilities for Functions) of the Constitution be amended to:-

a.    Remove all references to the Vision Derbyshire Joint Committee and its Terms of Reference to be replaced by the D2 Strategic Leadership Board and its Terms of Reference;

b.    Incorporate Gypsy and Travellers, Empty Homes and the Housing Allocations Policy into the Terms of Reference for Community and Environment Committee;

c.    Remove references to the Director of Regulatory Services and share those delegations amongst other designated officers;

d.    Make minor amendments throughout the document to ensure accuracy and clarity;

e.    To amend the Biodiversity Sub Committee to the Biodiversity Working Group;

3.    That Part 4 (Rules of Procedure) of the Constitution be amended to reflect updated rules on substitutes for Committees or Sub Committees, allowing for additional substitutes to be made available.  

4.    That Council endorses the Constitution Working Group to undertake a programme of work in which to refresh the Constitution and deliver upon the Council’s priority of a ‘thriving local democracy’.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

To report on the updated membership of political groups on the Council, and the changes to the political balance of the authority following the district by-elections held on 22 February 2024 and the new entitlement of political groups to seats on committees for the 2024/25 municipal year.

The Council considered a report on the updated membership of political groups on the Council, and the changes to the political balance of the authority following the district by-elections held o 22 February 2024 and the new entitlement of political groups to seats on committees for the 2024/25 municipal year.

Following the recent elections, the political balance of the Council was:

It was moved by Councillor Peter Dobbs, seconded by Councillor Peter O’Brien and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

1.    That the operation of four political groups on the Council and the detail of their designated Leaders be noted:

(a)        Conservative Group – Councillor Susan Hobson

(b)        Green Party Group – Councillor Neil Buttle

(c)        Labour and Councillor O’Brien Group – Councillor Bob Butcher

(d)        Liberal Democrat Group – Councillor Steve Flitter

2.    That special responsibility allowances be paid in accordance with the Members Allowances Scheme at Part 6 of the Constitution.

3.    That the Council notes, and agrees, the entitlement of the membership of the political groups and that such entitlements have been reflected in the allocations to Committees.

4.    That Council considers nominations and appoints Members to serve on the:

(a) Joint ICT Committee

(b) D2 Strategic Leadership Board.

5.    That Council appoints Members to serve on Working Groups for the following purposes:

(a)  Constitution Working Group (6 Members)

(b)  Climate Change Working Group (6 Members)

(c)  Gypsy and Traveller Working Group (4 Members)

(d)  Biodiversity Working Group (6 Members)

(e)  Car Park Working Group (6 Members)

(f)   Waste and Recycling Working Group (4 Members)

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

To appoint Members to serve on Committees in accordance with each political group’s entitlement to seats.

The Council considered the appointment of Members to serve on Committees for the 2024/2025 municipal year in accordance with each political group’s entitlement.

It was moved by Councillor Joanne Linthwaite, seconded by Councillor Nick Whitehead and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

1.    That the Councillors be appointed to serve on the Committees of the Council in accordance with the nominations of the political groups as set out in appendix 1 to these minutes.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Director of Corporate and Customer Services to appoint Councillors to the remaining available positions on Committees, in consultation with political group leaders and the Chair of the Council, and in accordance with the previously agreed entitlement to seats.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

To appoint a Chair and Vice-Chair to Committees.

The Council considered a report which set out the appointments to the positions of Chair and Vice-Chair to the various decision making bodies for the 2024/2025 municipal year.

It was moved by Councillor Peter Dobbs, seconded by Councillor Dawn Greatorex and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

That the following appointments be made to the positions of Committee Chair and Vice-Chair until the next Annual Meeting of the Council.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

The purpose of this report is to submit the proposed Calendar of Meetings for Council and Committee Meetings in the 2024/25 municipal year.

The Council received a report to approve the Calendar of Meetings for the 2024/2025 municipal year attached at Appendix 3 to these minutes. It was noted that this had been edited following publication of the agenda due to the announcement of a General Election and the Council therefore entering the pre-election period.

It was moved by Councillor Nick Whitehead, seconded by Councillor David Hughes and

RESOLVED

That the Calendar of Meetings for the 2024/2025 municipal year be approved.

Voting:

29 For

00 Against

02 Abstentions

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.

To review the Council’s affiliations with outside bodies and consider nominations to act as the Council’s Representatives.

The Council considered a report which reviewed the Council’s affiliations with outside bodies and invited nominations to act as the Council’s representatives.

The Schedule, attached at Appendix 2, gave the full list of outside bodies that required the Council’s consideration. The Council was asked to consider its nominations and any changes it wished to make to those currently in place.

The list of approved conferences and recommended representation was tabled in paragraph 2.3 of the report, which was submitted to confer approved duty status and cover Member attendance.

It was moved by Councillor David Hughes, seconded by Councillor Neil Buttle and

RESOLVED (unanimously)

1.    That the list of outside bodies identified in Appendix 2 be approved.

2.    That the position of organisations where no indemnity insurance currently exists be noted accordingly.

3.    That the Members identified in the schedule be appointed to the relevant outside body to serve until the next Annual Meeting of the Council.

4.    That the list of Conferences for 2024/25 be approved.

5.    That authority be delegated to the Director of Corporate and Customer Services in consultation with the Chief Executive and Directors, where relevant, to determine requests for attendance at other conferences based on the relevance of the subject matter and to the availability of finance.

The Chair declared the motion CARRIED.