Agenda and minutes

The Mayor received an apology for absence from Councillor Mike Barrett prior to the meeting.

To elect the Mayor of the Borough until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2022.           

The Mayor to declare their acceptance of office.

It was proposed by Councillor Daniel Humphreys and seconded by Councillor Steve Wills that Councillor Lionel Harman be elected to serve as Mayor for the coming year.

          Resolved that Councillor Lionel Harman be elected Mayor of the Borough of Worthing for the 2021-22 Municipal Year.

The Mayor made his Declaration of Acceptance of Office and then addressed the Council. 

To appoint a Deputy Mayor of the Borough until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2022.

The Deputy Mayor to declare their acceptance of office.

The Mayor proposed that Councillor Richard Nowak be appointed to serve as Deputy Mayor in 2021/22, the proposal was seconded by Councillor Noel Atkins.

          Resolved that Councillor Richard Nowak be appointed as Deputy Mayor for the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

Councillor Richard Nowak made his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

To receive and note the Return of Persons Elected at the 6 May 2021 Borough Council elections.

The Council noted the Returning Officer’s return of persons elected in the Borough Elections held on 6 May 2021.

Members and Officers must declare any disclosable pecuniary interests in relation to any business on the agenda. Declarations should also be made at any stage such an interest becomes apparent during the meeting.

If in doubt contact the Legal or Democratic Services representative for this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest made.

To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 20 April 2021, copies of which have been previously circulated. 

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 April 2021 be approved as a correct record and that they be signed by the Mayor.

A Vote of Thanks to the outgoing Deputy Mayor was proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Councillor Louise Murphy.

          Resolved that the Council placed on record its sincere thanks to Councillor Sean McDonald for the fine manner in which he carried out the duties of Deputy Mayor, for his service to the community of Worthing during the year and for his support to the Mayor.

The Mayor advised that it had not been possible, at last year’s Annual Council, to present the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Hazel Thorpe with her Past Mayor insignia and Mr Robin Rogers with the past Mayor’s Consort insignia. The Mayor advised that he was looking forward to doing this in the very near future, once the lifting of Covid restrictions made it possible to do so.

To consider any items the Mayor has agreed are urgent.

There were no urgent items.

The Mayor informed the Council that he was looking forward to supporting the local communities to thrive, prosper, be healthy and resilient and to promote the Town.

He looked forward to being able to raise funds for his charities for the forthcoming year; The Worthing Sea Cadets; The Worthing Society and Worthing Mencap (Buddies).

The Council was informed of the Mayor’s Inaugural Dinner and all those present were encouraged to support this event.

The Mayor extended the Council’s thanks to the Chief Executive, Mr Alex Bailey, for all that he had done for the residents, businesses and visitors of Worthing especially during these recent difficult and unprecedented times. He added that Mr Bailey had brought great energy, intelligence and ambition to the role of CEO and the council had greatly benefited from his hard work and commitment to excellence in public service.

The Mayor used his discretion to allow the Leader of the Council to make a statement regarding the retiring Chief Executive.

The retiring Chief Executive thanked the Mayor and the Leader of the Council for their words and addressed the Council.

To consider a report by the Director for Communities, attached as item 10.

(Details of the nominated committee memberships, Appendix B, will be published to the website once nominations have been received from each of the Political Groups)

Before the Council was a report by the Director for Communities, copies of which had been distributed to all Members and a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as item 10.

The report outlined a number of decisions required by Council to ensure that the decision making structure for 2021/22 was determined according to the Council’s Constitution.

It was noted that an updated Appendix B had been circulated in advance of the meeting detailing the nominations for Committee Memberships from each of the political groups and the chairperson and vice-chairperson nominations from the leading group.

The recommendations outlined in the report, were proposed by Councillor Daniel Humphreys and seconded by Councillor Heather Mercer.

An amendment proposed by Councillor Beccy Cooper, that Councillor Carl Walker be appointed as the JOSC Chairman, was seconded by Councillor Martin McCabe but not supported.

Council approved the recommendations following a vote;

For 19, Against 3, Abstentions 14

Resolved

That the Council

i)          noted the decision making structure of the Council and the political balance of the Council as referenced in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2;

ii)         confirmed the Terms of Reference of the Council, Executive, Committees and Sub-Committees as outlined in Part 3 of the Constitution including those relating to Joint Committee Agreements;

iii)        noted the political groups, the number and proportion of seats as set out in Appendix A to the report;

iv)        appointed to the Committees in accordance with the wishes of the Political Groups on the Council, as detailed in Appendix B (attached);

v)         agreed that the Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons of Committees, as detailed in Appendix B (attached), be appointed until the Annual Meeting of the Council in May 2022;

vi)        noted the Group Leaders and Deputy Leaders as confirmed to the Proper Officer as outlined in Appendix B (attached); and

vii)       in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 39, the Council noted the appointment of the Leader of the Labour Group on the Council, as the Leader of the Main Opposition.

To note the Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayor for 2021/22.

Council noted that the current Youth Mayor, Will Nyss, and the current Deputy Youth Mayor, Henny Sonneman-Petty, would serve for a second term in 2021/22.

The Mayor announced that he was looking forward to their support during his mayoral year.

To consider recommendations to the Council, details of which are set out in the attached item 12.

Council had, before it, recommendations from the Joint Senior Staff Committee.

An extract of these minutes had been circulated as items 12.

Before the Council was a recommendation from the Joint Senior Staff Committee relating to the designation of Interim Head of Paid Service.

The Chairman of the Joint Senior Staff Committee, Councillor Daniel Humphreys, proposed the recommendations to the Council, these were seconded by Councillor Beccy Cooper and unanimously supported. 

Resolved

That Adur and Worthing Councils designate Dr. Catherine Howe as Adur and Worthing Councils’ interim Head of Paid Service and Chief Executive with effect from 1st July 2021, until such time, as the substantive post has been filled.