Agenda and draft minutes

59/22 – APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:  Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Trevor Chapman, Sue Lumby and Nigel Simms.

To receive notice of any urgent business the Chairman considers should be dealt with at the meeting as a matter of urgency by virtue of Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

60/22 – URGENT BUSINESS: There was no urgent business.

Members to advise of any declarations of interest.

61/22 – DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: There were no declarations of interest.

To determine whether the exclude the press and public during the consideration of any exempt information items.

62/22 – EXEMPT INFORMATION:  There was no exempt information.

of the meeting of 14 December 2022

63/22 – MINUTES:

Moved by Councillor Richard Cooper               Seconded by Councillor Graham Swift

and RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 14 December 2022 be approved as a correct record.

To receive such communications as the Chairman may desire to lay before the Council.

64/22 – COMMUNICATIONS:

01.          Former Councillor Bernard Bateman:  The Mayor referred to the death of former Councillor Bernard Bateman on 26 January 2023.  Bernard had served on Harrogate Borough Council since 3 May 2012 and was Mayor of the Borough during 2018-19. Bernard was a tireless worker in support of his chosen charity, the Army Benevolent Fund and would be much missed by his colleagues.  On behalf of the Council the Mayor extended condolences to his wife Linda and their family.

The Council then observed a minute’s silence in memory of former Councillor Bernard Bateman.

02.          Christmas Carol Concert:  The Mayor thanked all those who were able to support her at the Christmas Carol Concert in the Royal Hall.  She thanked all those who worked so hard to make the event possible, including the pupils and teachers at St Aidan’s and Brackenfield Schools, the team at HCC and Council staff, especially the Mayor’s Secretary.

To receive any petitions under Standing Order 26.

65/22 – PUBLIC ARRANGEMENTS – PETITIONS:  No petitions had been received.

To consider any questions under Standing Order 27.

66/22 – PUBLIC ARRANGEMENTS – QUESTIONS:  No public questions had been received.

To receive any written or verbal questions from Members under Standing Order 12.

67/22 – ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE EXECUTIVE AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS:  The Mayor advised that no written questions had been received from Members and she would therefore invite verbal questions of the Executive Members and Committee Chairs from other Members of the Council.

In response to a question from Councillor Chris Aldred in relation to flying the Ukraine Flag in Harrogate, the Leader confirmed that the flag had been raised to mark the one year anniversary of the invasion and send a message of support from the people of the Harrogate district to the people of Ukraine.  The Leader hoped the new North Yorkshire Council and any future town council would continue to note this situation and would actively support Ukrainians living in our communities.  

68/22 – MEMORANDA OF REPORT FROM OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY

  COMMISSION:  There were no such reports.

69/22 – REPORT BACK ON PREVIOUS NOTICES OF MOTION:  There were no reports to be considered.

70/22 – MINUTES OF COMMITTEES AND CABINET: The Council resolved upon the various non-delegated Minutes of the Committees and Cabinet as follows:

70/22(01) – CABINET – 1 FEBRUARY 2023:

Moved by Councillor Richard Cooper              Seconded by Councillor Graham Swift

and RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 1 February 2023 be approved and adopted.

In accordance with Standing Order 10, the Head of Legal and Governance to submit Notices of Motion received.

71/22 – NOTICES OF MOTION RECEIVED:  The Mayor advised that there was one notice of motion before the Council.  The motion, which was in the names of Councillors Chris Aldred and Sam Gibbs would be debated by the Council in accordance with Standing Order 10(6)(f).

“A thriving Harrogate Convention Centre is central to the ongoing economic prosperity of the Harrogate district.  This council therefore asks the new unitary authority to move forward with urgency by formulating a new Management Board.  At the same time, council asks the new unitary authority to confirm it’s in principle support for the redevelopment plan for the centre and further asks that North Yorkshire Councillors representing divisions within the Harrogate district are consulted during this ongoing process.”

Moved by Councillor Chris Aldred                       Seconded by Councillor Sam Gibbs

The motion was then debated by the Council.

Upon a vote being taken on the notice of motion, the Mayor declared the motion carried.

To authorise the affixing of the Common Seal to the necessary documents for the purposes of carrying out the resolutions contained in the Minutes.

72/22 – COMMON SEAL: 

Moved by Councillor Richard Cooper               Seconded by Councillor Graham Swift

In moving the motion the Leader took the opportunity to thank the Mayor, Councillor Victoria Oldham, as this was the last ordinary Council meeting of Harrogate Borough Council.  Councillor Oldham had undertaken the role with energy and enthusiasm and had been a keen advocate of both the Council and rural matters.  Councillor Pat Marsh also thanked the Mayor and commented on how well she conducted Council meetings.

The Mayor responded by thanking both Councillors for their kind words and advised that it had been a privilege to be the last Mayor of the Harrogate Borough at the end of its 49 year history.  She thanked officers and fellow Councillors for all their support.

and RESOLVED:

That   (1)  the Common Seal of the Council be affixed to the Deeds and Documents necessary to carry out the resolutions confirmed and passed this day; and

          (2)  no deed shall be treated as being conditional upon Council proceeding until completion of a transaction relevant to any deeds.