Agenda and minutes

It was proposed by Councillor Wilcox and seconded by Councillor M Evans and unanimously:

Resolved

That Councillor Fouweather is elected as the Mayor of the City of Newport for the next year. Councillor Fouweather, having made and subscribed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and taken the Official Oath and Oath of Allegiance, expressed thanks for the honour conferred upon him.  

Vote of Thanks

It was proposed by the Mayor and seconded by Councillor Wilcox and unanimously:

Resolved

That the Council’s thanks be given to Mr David Atwell and Mrs Carole Atwell for the manner in which they had discharged their duties as Mayor and Mayoress.

Response

The outgoing Mayoress responded on behalf of the outgoing Mayor, remembering the highlights of their Mayoral year together.  While recognising the difficulties the Mayor had faced since being taken ill six months ago, the Mayoress noted the many happy events they had attended together, including some 100 events since his diagnosis.  The Mayoress thanked the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress for their support, especially at events which the Mayor was unable to attend.  Thanks were expressed for all the people who had supported their nominated charities throughout the year – Ty Hafan, Pets as Therapy, and SSAFA.  Special recognition was also given to the many volunteers they had met this year while attending events, for their hard work in the community.

The Mayoress thanked everyone who had supported them this year and helped them to continue their Mayoral year, especially the staff supporting the Mayoral Office.  Finally the Mayoress gave thanks to the outgoing Mayor, for his courage and determination to complete his duties.  The Chamber gave the Mayor a standing ovation.

It was proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Councillor Matthew Evans and unanimously

Resolved

That Council Richard White is appointed Deputy Mayor for the ensuing year.  Councillor White, having made and subscribed the Declaration of Acceptance for the role of Deputy Mayor expressed thanks for his appointment.

The Mayor, Councillor David Fouweather, was appointed as Chair of Council.

New Members

Councillor Wilcox introduced the following newly elected members in the Labour Group:  Rehmaan Hayat, Phil Hourahine, Jason Hughes, James Clarke, Stephen Marshall, Herbie Thomas, Yvonne Forsey, Graham Berry, Tracey Holyoake and Laura Lacey

Councillor M Evans introduced the following newly elected members in the Conservative Group:  William Routley, Joan Watkins and Val Dudley.

Councillor Whitehead introduced Jason Jordan, the newly elected member of the Newport Independents group.

Councillor C Townsend introduced Holly Townsend, the newly elected member of the Liberal Democrat group.

Councillor Deborah Wilcox was appointed as Leader of the Council.

The Leader of the Council announced her Cabinet as follows:

Opposition Spokespersons:

Councillor Matthew Evans announced that he would act as Leader of the Opposition.  Opposition spokespersons would be as follows:

The Head of Law and Regulation presented a report outlining new regulations governing the composition of Planning Committee.  It was unanimously

Resolved

To amend the Council’s Standing Orders and Constitution to comply with the regulatory changes as follows:

a)    The composition of Planning Committee remains at 11 members;

b)    The quorum for Planning Committee should be 6 members;

c)    No substitutes shall be allowed;

d)    In multiple wards, only one ward member shall be appointed to Planning Committee;

e)    Site inspections shall continue to be decision-making meetings rather than fact-finding, and should be carried out by full Committee, with a minimum quorum requirement of 6 members.

The Leader of the Council presented a report to implement a new structure for the Scrutiny Committees.  It was unanimously

Resolved

That the Council:

1.    Establish the following Scrutiny Committees:

a.    Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

b.    Performance Scrutiny Committee – People

c.    Performance Scrutiny Committee – Place and Corporate

d.    Performance Scrutiny Committee – Partnerships

2.    Agree the terms of reference for these Scrutiny Committees, as outlined in the report.

Following nominations by the leaders of their respective parties, the following Committee Chair appointments were agreed by the Council:

(The nominated persons declared an interest in this item and did not vote on the specific appointments.)

To give effect to appointments of members to committees by the political groups

Each Group Leader agreed to pass the appointments of members to the committees to the proper officer for recording in the minutes.  The following committee appointments were submitted.

Planning Committee:

(6 Labour, 3 Conservative, 1 NIP, 1 Lib Dem)

Licensing Committee:

(6 Labour, 3 Conservative, 1 NIP, 1 Lib Dem)

Audit Committee:

(5 Labour, 2 Conservative, 1 NIP, 1 Lib Dem)           LAY MEMBER CHAIR

* Chair appointed by the Committee

Democratic Services Committee:

(6 Labour, 2 Conservative, 1 NIP, 1 Lib Dem)

Scrutiny Committees:

Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

(6 Labour, 2 Conservative, 1 NIP, 1 Lib Dem)

Performance Scrutiny Committee - Partnerships

(6 Labour, 2 Conservative, 1 NIP, 1 Lib Dem)

Performance Scrutiny Committee - People

(6 Labour, 2 Conservative, 1 NIP, 1 Lib Dem)

Performance Scrutiny Committee – Place and Corporate

(6 Labour, 2 Conservative, 1 NIP, 1 Lib Dem)

Each Group Leader agreed to pass the appointments of members to external bodies to the proper officer for recording in the minutes.  The following appointments were submitted.

Governors:

Re-Appointments

Maindee Primary School: Richard Morgan

Milton Infant School: Helen Truman

Pillgwenlly Primary School: Ruqia Hayat

Somerton Primary School: Alan Speight

New Appointments

Bassaleg School:  Cllr Yvonne Forsey

Fairoak Nursery:  Cllr Christine Jenkins

Glan Usk Primary School:  Cllr Phil Hourahine

Kimberly Nursery:  Cllr James Clarke

Maindee Primary School:  Cllr Christine Jenkins

Malpas Church in Wales Junior School:  Cllr Laura Lacey

Mount Pleasant Primary School:  Cllr Yvonne Forsey

St Julians School:  Cllr Graham Berry

Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Teyrnon:  Cllr Herbie Thomas