Minutes of : Thirty-Fifth Annual Meeting of the Council
Date : Thursday, 17th May 2007
Minute No
Item No and Title
Summons Page No
1.
Present:
The Mayor, Councillor A H Murray in the Chair;
Councillors J K G Allen, D M Beith, H Bettison, J A Davidson, D W Donaldson, W F Grant, P Herdman, E I Hunter, J G Hutchinson, R Hutchinson, A G Houghton, G O’Connell, R J Patterson, R T Pearson, J D Peggs, A S Rogerson, J A Robertson, L W Robson, F I Simpson, J E Smith, D S Stewart, R J D Watkin, J Waterhouse, P S Watts and D Wilson.
2.
Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors B P E Gibson and T Tyler.
3.
1. Election of Mayor
It was proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Councillor Elizabeth Isabel Hunter and
RESOLVED: To appoint Councillor Lancelot William Robson as Mayor for the ensuing year.
[The Mayor thereupon took the Chair, which was vacated by Councillor A H Murray, made and subscribed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office as required by law, and formally addressed the Council].
The Mayor, Councillor L W Robson, in the Chair.
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2. Appointment of Deputy Mayor
It was proposed by Councillor Jennifer Waterhouse, seconded by the Mayor and
RESOLVED: To appoint Councillor Hazel Bettison as Deputy Mayor for the ensuing year.
[The Deputy Mayor made and subscribed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office as required by law, and formally addressed the Council].
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3. Appointment of Sheriff
It was proposed by the Mayor, seconded by the Deputy Mayor and
RESOLVED: To appoint Mr Alan Richard Bowlas as Sheriff for the ensuing year.
[The Sheriff made and subscribed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office as required by law, and formally addressed the Council].
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4. Appointment of Leader of the Council
It was proposed by Councillor Jennifer Waterhouse, seconded by Councillor James Edward Smith and
RESOLVED: To appoint Councillor Elizabeth Isabel Hunter as Leader of the Council for the ensuing year.
[Note: In response to a question from Councillor RJ Patterson, the Leader reassured Members that she would continue to support the Council’s policy to endorse the two unitaries option under the local government review.]
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5. Appointment of Deputy Leader of the Council
It was proposed by Councillor David Wilson, seconded by Councillor Elizabeth Isabel Hunter and
RESOLVED: To appoint Councillor James Edward Smith as Deputy Leader of the Council for the ensuing year.
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8.
6. Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 25th April 2007
RESOLVED: To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Proceedings of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 25th April 2007 (Minutes 652 to 669, pages 1 to 8).
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7. Appointment of Standing Committees
It was proposed by the Mayor, seconded by the Deputy Mayor and
RESOLVED: To appoint Standing Committees for the ensuing year with membership as set out in Appendix B (attached to these minutes following further revisions to committee membership reported at the meeting by the Borough Secretary).
10.
8. Calendar of Meetings 2007/08
It was proposed by the Mayor, seconded by the Deputy Mayor and
RESOLVED: To approve the dates of the meetings of the Council and Standing Committees for the ensuing year (Appendix C).
[Note: Councillor RJD Watkin gave notice of the Liberal Democrat Group’s intention to review the Council’s meeting arrangements.]
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11.
9. Vote of Thanks to the retiring Mayor and Mayoress
It was proposed by the Mayor, seconded by the Deputy Mayor and
RESOLVED: To record the best thanks of the Council to Councillor Anthony Harkness Murray for the satisfactory manner in which he discharged the duties of the Office of Mayor of the Borough during the past year, and for the impartiality which he displayed while presiding over the deliberations of the Council; also that appreciation and satisfaction be recorded at the manner in which Mrs Patricia Murray carried out the functions of Mayoress.
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10. Vote of Thanks to the Retiring Sheriff and Sheriff’s Lady
It was proposed by the retiring Mayor (Councillor Anthony Harkness Murray), seconded by Councillor Flora Isobel Simpson and
RESOLVED: To tender the best thanks of the Council to Mr Angus Murray for the pleasing manner in which he carried out the duties of the Sheriff of the Borough during the past year, and to acknowledge with satisfaction the support which Mrs Louise Murray has given during his term of office.
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11. Mayor’s Communications
The Mayor intimated:
(a) That he would attend Divine Service at 11.00am on Sunday, 8th July 2007 in St Aidan’s Church, Bamburgh, and;
(b) In accordance with Ancient Custom, he would walk the May Fair at noon on Friday 25th May 2007.
The Mayor expressed the hope that he would have the support of Members of the Council on these occasions.
