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Present

Members:        

  • Cllr Mike Acreman
  • Cllr Daniel Beauchamp (Mayor for the 2024-2025 Municipal Year)
  • Cllr Stephen Holder (Deputy Mayor for the 2024-2025 Municipal Year)
  • Cllr Jacki Hoskins
  • Cllr Mark Hoskins
  • Cllr Ros Lester
  • Cllr Diana Margarido
  • Cllr Len Pannett
  • Cllr Christine Sandall

Officers:         

  • Michelle Taylor, Town Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer
  • Luke Whitcomb, Meetings Officer
  • Tracey Collins, Senior Officer

Others:           

  • Reverend Sarah Nesbitt
  • Lynda Atkins, Deputy Lord Lieutenant
  • Ken Lester, High Steward
  • Dave Turner, Sergeant-at-Mace
  • County Councillor Pete Sudbury
  • Robert Warren, Station Warrant Officer
  • Ella Robson, Mayor’s Cadet (Rifles Regiment, British Army)
  • Elenor Stokes, Mayor’s Cadet (966 Squadron, Royal Air Force)
  • 4 members of the public

 

The meeting opened with a prayer given by the Reverend Sarah Nesbitt.

1/24     ELECTION OF MAYOR/CHAIRMAN

The Mayor, Councillor Dan Beauchamp, welcomed everyone to the meeting and advised those present of the protocols that would be followed.

It was proposed by Councillor Margarido, and seconded by Councillor Lester, and RESOLVED by unanimous vote that Councillor Daniel Beauchamp be elected Mayor and Chairman for a further Municipal Year, 2024-2025

In her proposal speech, Councillor Margarido commended Councillor Beauchamp for the way he had led the Council through the past year and particularly for progressing work with young people in the town.

The Mayor/Chairman then read out his Declaration of Acceptance of Office, signed the document and took up the chain of office.

The meeting expressed its congratulation through a round of applause.

2/24     APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Town Councillors Charter, Keats-Rohan, Ebrahimjee, Harris, Hendrie, Holford and Hughes, and District Councillor Barlow.

Cllr M Hoskins expressed concern with the low number of councillors attending the Annual Meeting. The Mayor explained that there were a variety of reasons for absence, some quite serious.  The Annual Meeting had a dual purpose: it was civic event and it was also a meeting of the Full Council.  The Mayor intended to emphasise the importance of attendance, and the public perception attached to it, to all Members in the near future.

3/24     APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMAN/DEPUTY MAYOR

The Mayor announced his choice of Councillor Stephen Holder as the Deputy Mayor for the 2024-2025 Municipal Year.

Councillor Holder received his badge of office and the meeting expressed its congratulations through a round of applause.

4/24     MAYOR’S AND DEPUTY MAYOR’S CONSORTS

The Mayor explained that his Consort would receive her badge of office at a later date.

5/24     APPOINTMENT OF THE MAYOR’S CHAPLAIN

The Mayor announced the appointment of the Reverend Sarah Nesbitt as Mayor’s Chaplain.  Reverend Nesbitt had recently taken up the role of Team Rector of the Church of England’s Wallingford Parish which included St Mary-le-More.  She was already actively involved in the life of the town as a Street Pastor.

6/24     APPOINTMENT OF THE MAYOR’S CADETS

The Mayor announced the appointment of Elenor Stokes and Ella Robson, representing the 966 Squadron of the Royal Air Force and the Rifles Regiment of the British Army respectively, as the Mayor’s Cadets for the 2024-2025 Municipal Year and presented them with their badges of office.

The Mayor took the opportunity of thanking the outgoing Mayor’s Cadets for their service.

7/24     APPOINTMENT OF BRIDGE CHAMBERLAIN

In line with tradition, the Mayor would act as Bridge Chamberlain.

8/24     APPOINTMENT OF BRIDGEMEN

In line with tradition, the two longest-serving councillors, Nigel Hughes and Ros Lester, were appointed as the Bridgemen.

It was agreed that Councillor Lester would be able to delegate the carrying of the ceremonial pole to another councillor due to its weight.

9/24     STANDING ORDERS AND FINANCIAL REGULATIONS

It was proposed by Councillor Pannett and seconded by Councillor Sandall, and RESOLVED that the revised Standing Orders and Financial Regulations be adopted

The Mayor emphasised that Standing Orders and Financial Regulations could be amended at any point during the year if the Full Council so chose.

10/24     REMAINING AGENDA ITEMS

It was proposed by Councillor Beauchamp, and seconded by Councillor Lester, and RESOLVED that the remaining agenda items be deferred to the meeting of the Full Council on 22 May 2024, that is:

  • Committee structure, terms of reference and membership
  • Representation on external bodies
  • Policies, procedures and inventories
11/24     LOVING CUP CEREMONY

A form of the historic Loving Cup Ceremony was then enacted and concluded the meeting.

This represented a resumption of the tradition following a pause created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The meeting ended at 7.22 pm

Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Full Council held on 8 May 2024, signed as a correct record

 

Chairman

 

2023-05-08 FC (Annual Meeting) minutes PUBLIC