Agenda and minutes

1.1             Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J E Day, R D East, D T Foyle, S E Hillier-Richardson, A Hollaway, T A Spencer, M G Sztymiak, D J Waters and P N Workman.

To elect a Mayor for the Borough for the ensuing year.  

2.1             With the retiring Mayor, Councillor Harry Turbyfield, in the chair, it was proposed by Councillor Jim Mason, and seconded by Councillor Andrew Reece, that Councillor Ruth Hatton be, and is hereby elected, Mayor of the Borough of Tewkesbury for the ensuing Municipal Year.

2.2             On the Motion being put to the meeting it was declared to be carried, whereupon the Mayor took the chair, signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and took the Oath of Allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen.

2.3             In thanking Members for the honour and pleasure of being elected Mayor of the Borough of Tewkesbury, Councillor Hatton paid particular tribute to Councillor Terry Spencer who, through unforeseen circumstances, had unfortunately had to stand down from becoming Mayor. She indicated that she would do her best to uphold the tradition and versatility of the Borough which she felt was unique and hoped to continue to encourage the family feeling and team spirit of Councillors and staff within the Council in working for the betterment of the Borough.

2.4             The Mayor advised that her Consort for the year would be her partner, Councillor Harry Turbyfield, and her Chaplain would be Reverend Wendy Ruffle, Minister for Prior’s Park. She felt sure that she would gain the support and guidance needed to ensure a successful year in Office. The organisations that she would be supporting during the Mayoral year were the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service - Tewkesbury Fire Cadets and the Aston Project, Tewkesbury. The Tewkesbury Fire Cadets was a new organisation which was part of a nationally recognised youth programme for 13 to 18 year olds. The aim of the organisation was to inspire and empower young people through personal development opportunities and practical skills as part of the Fire and Rescue Service. In line with the theme of ‘young people’, the second organisation which she would support was the Aston Project, Tewkesbury. The Project had first been set up in Cheltenham in 2011 in memory of Neighbourhood Officer PC Lynn Aston; it built upon the “work for reward” ethos and aimed to work with young people aged 9-17 years by identifying their interests and engaging them in constructive activity. 

2.5             In concluding her speech, the Mayor thanked everyone for attending and expressed the hope they would have an enjoyable evening. 

3.1             Councillor Rob Bird expressed the Council’s thanks to Councillor Harry Turbyfield for the way that he had represented the Borough throughout his year in Office. Councillor Bird indicated that he had proposed Councillor Turbyfield as Mayor last year - he had felt then that he would make an excellent ambassador for the Borough and he was pleased to say he had been right. He indicated that Councillor Turbyfield had many attributes and one of his favourites was his ability to make people laugh. Councillor Turbyfield had shown dedication, hard work and commitment to the role of Mayor and had been a fantastic representative and he thanked Councillor Turbyfield, again, on behalf of the Council, for everything he had done during his Mayoral year.

3.2             Councillor Turbyfield thanked Councillor Bird for his kind words and indicated that it had been a fantastic year which he had thoroughly enjoyed. He had met many people, made many friends and it had reaffirmed to him what a wonderful place the Borough was.

3.3             In concluding his speech, Councillor Turbyfield offered his thanks to all of the Officers at the Council who had helped him throughout the year and to everyone who had attended his events and made them such a success. 

3.4             The Worshipful the Mayor, Councillor Ruth Hatton, presented Councillor Harry Turbyfield with a Past Mayor’s Badge and the Consort’s Badge of Office and Councillor Harry Turbyfield presented the Mayor with her Past Mayoress’ Badge.

To appoint a Deputy Mayor for the ensuing year.  

4.1             It was proposed by Councillor Elaine MacTiernan, and seconded by Councillor Julie Greening, that Councillor Gill Blackwell be, and is hereby appointed, Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Tewkesbury for the ensuing Municipal Year.

4.2             The Motion was put to the meeting and was carried.

4.3             Councillor Blackwell expressed thanks to her fellow Councillors for their support and indicated that she felt honoured to be elected Deputy Mayor for a second time. She looked forward to supporting Councillor Hatton during her Mayoral year and indicated that her Consort for the year would be her husband Mike.

4.4             Councillor Blackwell accepted the Deputy Mayor’s Badge of Office from the Mayor and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

4.5             Flowers were presented to Councillor Gill Blackwell and Councillor Ruth Hatton.    

5.1             Upon the Motion of the Mayor, the meeting of the Council stood adjourned until Tuesday 15 May 2018 at 6.00pm.     

6.1             The meeting then resumed in the Council Chamber of the Tewkesbury Borough Council Offices, Gloucester Road, Tewkesbury on Tuesday 15 May 2018, when the attendance was as follows: