The Council stood to observe two minutes’ silence in memory of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 16 August 2022 (C.10 - C.12), attached.

The decision:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 August 2022 (C.10 - C.12), previously circulated, be signed as a correct record.

The Chairman presented awards to Steve Abbott, Katie Bramham and Heather Tipping, staff from Bedale Leisure Centre who had been involved in an incident at Bedale Leisure Centre regarding a customer who had suffered a cardiac arrest.  Staff responded immediately and thanks to the efforts of the staff and paramedics the customer made a full recovery.

The Chairman presented an award to Julie Stead, CCTV operator, who had helped prevent what could have been a catastrophic fire at Tesco in Northallerton.  Julie had been undertaking a review in relation to another incident along with two colleagues from North Yorkshire Police, when she spotted smoke coming from a cage full of cardboard boxes to the rear of Tesco.  Within 5 minutes a blaze was raging and had set the wall and neighbouring property alight but due to Julie’s quick response in informing the emergency services, officers were quickly at the scene and put the fire out before it spread any further.

The Leader made a statement to the Council on the following matters:-

·                The recent passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

·                Commencement of higher education courses at Campus@Northallerton

·                The final phase of the Treadmills development

·                Local Government Reorganisation

The Leader moved Cabinet minutes CA.18 – CA.20 (6 September 2022) and CA.26 (4 October 2022).

The Decision:

That the reports, resolutions and recommendations of the following meetings of the Cabinet be received, approved and adopted:-

The Leader moved Cabinet minute CA.27 (4 October 2022).

The Decision:

That the reports, resolutions and recommendations of the following meeting of the Cabinet be received, approved and adopted:-

The Leader requested a named vote in relation to Minute CA.27.  Members present were recorded as voting as follows:

For the motion: Councillors P Atkin, P Bardon, M A Barningham, C A Dickinson, D B Elders, Mrs B S Fortune, B Griffiths, K G Hardisty, P A James, R Kirk, N A Knapton, J Noone, B Phillips, G Ramsden, M S Robson, Mrs I Sanderson, M G Taylor, P R Thompson, A Wake, S Watson and D A Webster (21)

Against the motion: None

The motion was declared carried unanimously.

The Leader moved Cabinet minutes CA.28 and CA.29 (4 October 2022).

The Decision:

That the reports, resolutions and recommendations of the following meeting of the Cabinet be received, approved and adopted:-

(a)     Councillor M S Robson presented the statement from P R Wilkinson, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Finance regarding the High Street Heritage Hub; Augmented Reality Heritage Trail; Supporting the Markets campaign (May to August 2022); Campus@Northallerton and C4Di.

(b)     Councillor P R Thompson, Portfolio Holder for Leisure made a statement regarding Sowerby and Northallerton Sports Villages; Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme; Maple Park Crematorium and the Tour of Britain

(c)     Councillor Mrs I Sanderson, Portfolio Holder for Governance made a statement regarding festive car parking; markets; electric vehicle charging points; Elections and communications.

(d)     Councillor D A Webster, Portfolio Holder for Planning made a statement regarding the Local Plan; the Local Plan Review on the Gypsy and Travellers and Travelling Show People Policy; the Domestic Extensions Supplementary Planning Document; Development Management and Nutrient Pollution.

(e)     Councillor S Watson, Portfolio Holder for Environmental Health, Waste and Recycling made a statement  regarding Waste and Street Scene (garden waste, recruitment, performance, waste and fleet) and Environmental Health (food, new Management Information System, Local Government Reorganisation and Avian Influenza) and Emergency Planning.

(f)      Councillor M G Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Transformation and Projects made a statement regarding the HR Workforce Members’ Working Group (Local Government Reorganisation and TUPE).

Report of the Chief Executive

The Council’s Constitution made provision for the appointment of Honorary Aldermen which normally took place following the election of a new Council.  This report sought consideration of the recommendations of the Member Working Group and arrangements for the appointment of Honorary Aldermen.

Council was informed that a number of other Councils were seeking legal advice regarding the ability to confer the title of Honorary Alderman on serving Councillors prior to 31 March 2023 who had been elected as Councillors of the new authority.  Council was asked to consider whether it should defer consideration of this matter or whether it wished to proceed.  Council considered deferring this item but agreed that a decision should be taken on approving the process of conferring the title of Honorary Aldermen which would then be further considered at a Special meeting of Council convened for this purpose. 

The decision:

That:-

(1)     the recommendations of the Working Group for the appointment of Honorary Alderman be approved; and

(2)     a special meeting of the Council be arranged to confer the title of Honorary Alderman of the District of Hambleton upon Councillors David Webster, Mark Robson, Brian Phillips and Mrs Bridget Fortune.

Note: Councillors D A Webster, M S Robson, B Phillips and Mrs B S Fortune abstained from voting on the above item.