Agenda item

Update on Civic Arrangements 2020 - 2022

Decision:

*RESOLVED –

1. That it be recommended to Full Council that Councillor Glenys Falconer be invited to become Mayor of the Borough for the period from October 2020 to May 2022.

2. That it be recommended to Full Council that Councillor Tony Rogers be invited to become Deputy Mayor of the Borough for the period from October 2020 to May 2022.

3. That it be noted that the Annual Council Meeting will be held on 21 October 2020, followed by a drinks’ reception at the Town Hall, subject to Government restrictions in response to Covid-19.

4. That it be noted that the Annual Civic Service and Parade, and the Mayoral Dinner, will be delayed until May 2021.

REASON FOR DECISIONS

To enable the Council to revise and confirm the civic arrangements for 2020 to 2022 in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Minutes:

The Senior Democratic and Scrutiny Officer submitted a report outlining proposals for the remainder of the civic year 2020/21 and for 2021/22.

As a result of the restrictions arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Mayor, had postponed the Annual Business Meeting and Annual Council Meeting. The Government had also introduced new regulations in April 2020 which allowed appointments made at annual meetings to continue until such time as the council was able to consider the matter.

To mitigate the negative impact that the restrictions would have on the 2020/21 and 2021/22 Mayoral terms, the report sought approval for a transition period whereby the current Mayor, Councillor Gordon Simmons would continue to serve as Mayor for a further 6 months until October 2020, with the Mayor Elect, Councillor Glenys Falconer then proposed for election as Mayor of the Borough for the period from October 2020 to May 2022.

The report also outlined proposals for a delay to the associated civic events to enable them to be delivered in a fitting manner following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions.