Agenda and minutes

1.1             Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R E Garnham, Mrs H C McLain, V D Smith, P D Surman and M G Sztymiak.

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

2.1             With the retiring Mayor, Councillor Ron Allen, in the chair, it was proposed by Councillor Mrs Elaine MacTiernan and seconded by Councillor Mike Dean, that Councillor Mrs Gill Blackwell 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 of electing her Mayor of the Borough of Tewkesbury, Councillor Blackwell indicated that she knew the year ahead would be busy but that she planned to enjoy it immensely. She welcomed the friends who were in attendance from Miesbach and the Vicar at the Church for allowing its use for the Mayor Making Ceremony along with the ladies at the Church who had provided the flower arrangements. 

2.4             The Mayor indicated that her Consort for the year would be her husband, Mr Mike Blackwell, her Mayoress would be her friend, Mrs Christine Wray, and her Chaplain would be Reverend Wendy Ruffle, Minister for Prior’s Park. She felt sure that all would offer the support and guidance which would be needed to ensure a successful year in Office. The charities that she would be supporting during her Mayoral year were Winston’s Wish and Gloucester Royal Hospital’s Stroke Unit.  

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

3.1             Councillor Robert Vines expressed the Council’s thanks to Councillor Ron Allen for the way that he had represented the Borough throughout his year in Office. He indicated that Councillor Allen was extremely kind and considerate and had shown this during his year in Office. Councillor Allen had been persuaded to stand as Mayor and had had high standards to maintain but had done so with no problem. He had been assisted by his Mayoress and friend, Councillor Elaine MacTiernan, who was a force to be reckoned with and had guided him through his ambassadorial role. As Chair of the Council, Councillor Allen had been fair and equitable to all allowing everyone their opportunity to speak.

3.2             Councillor Allen thanked Councillor Vines for his generous words and offered his congratulations and best wishes to the new Mayor, Consort and Mayoress for their year ahead.

3.3             Councillor Allen advised that the past year had been an intriguing and instructive experience. Unusually he had not been Deputy Mayor the year before and so had not had the usual year to acclimatise to the role which had been difficult to begin with. He offered his gratitude to his colleague and friend, Councillor Elaine MacTiernan, who had stepped in to be his Mayoress at relatively short notice and had been a reassuring support at the heart of everything they had done throughout the year. He indicated that he had hugely enjoyed the experience and would value and cherish the year.

3.4             In concluding his speech, Councillor Allen offered his thanks to all of the Officers at the Council who had helped him throughout the year, to his Chaplain, Reverend Wendy Ruffle, for her comfort and guidance and to everyone who had attended his events and offered raffle prizes; his charities had benefited significantly for which he was grateful.

3.5             The Worshipful the Mayor, Councillor Mrs Gill Blackwell, presented Councillor Ron Allen with a Past Mayor’s Badge to mark his successful year in Office.

3.6             The retiring Mayoress, Councillor Mrs Elaine MacTiernan, invested Mrs Christine Wray with the Mayoress’ Badge of Office and Mrs Wray presented Councillor MacTiernan with a Past Mayoress’ Badge.    

To appoint a Deputy Mayor for the ensuing year. 

4.1             It was proposed by Councillor Rob Bird, and seconded by Councillor Dave Waters, that Councillor Harry Turbyfield 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 Turbyfield expressed his thanks to his fellow Councillors for their support and indicated that he felt honoured to be elected Deputy Mayor. He advised that his Mayoress would be his partner Councillor Mrs Ruth Hatton.

4.4             Councillor Turbyfield 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 Mrs Elaine MacTiernan, Mrs Christine Wray and Councillor Mrs Gill Blackwell.  

5.1             Upon the Motion of the Mayor, the meeting of the Council stood adjourned until Tuesday, 17 May 2016 at 6.00pm.   

6.1             The meeting then resumed in the Council Chamber of the Tewkesbury Borough Council Offices, Gloucester Road, Tewkesbury on Tuesday 17 May 2016, when the attendance was as follows: