North Yorkshire Council
The Charter Trustees For Scarborough
Minutes of the meeting held on Friday, 15th December, 2023 commencing at 10.00 am.
Councillor John Ritchie in the Chair plus Councillors Liz Colling, Janet Jefferson, Rich Maw and Tony Randerson.
Officers present: St John Harris, Karen Iveson and Carol Rehill
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20 |
Apologies for Absence
Members were advised that Councillor Broadbent had submitted apologies, Head of Legal (Major Projects), Carol Rehill was deputising for the Clerk to the Charter Trustees and Monitoring Officer, Barry Khan, and that the Responsible Finance Officer, Karen Iveson would be attending the meeting remotely.
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Minutes of the Meeting held on 20 October 2023
Resolved –
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2023, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.
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Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interests.
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Public Participation
There were no public questions or statements.
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Charter Mayor's report
The Charter Mayor presented his report noting that since the last meeting he had attended some dozen engagements the most significant of which was the Remembrance Sunday commemoration at Oliver’s Mount. He extended thanks to all those involved in organising this important annual event. He had already attended some Christmas carol services including that of the Rotary Club Scarborough and had been impressed by the generosity of donations to their Christmas toy appeal.
Resolved (unanimously) – That the Charter Mayor’s verbal report be noted.
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Finance Report
Considered- A report of the Responsible Finance Officer setting out the in-year budget position of the Charter Trustees to the end of November 2023.
Resolved (unanimously) – That the Charter Trustees note the expenditure incurred to the end of November 2023.
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The Charter Trustees for Scarborough Budget and Precept 24/25
Considered- A report of the Responsible Finance Officer (RFO) in respect of the proposed Charter Trustees budget and precept for 24/25. Members were advised that the budget was essentially a roll over from 23/24 with figures updated for appropriate inflation. The majority of the trustees’ costs were associated with officer support charges from North Yorkshire Council. These had been inflated by 6% in line with expected price increase for these services. Other budgets had been reviewed and summarised to simplify administration going forward, including a £500 increase in the Charter Mayor’s allowance. The proposed budget equated to an increase of £0.14 for an average annual Band D charge from £1.71 to £1.85. In commenting on the report, members were critical of the delay in the community governance review for the Scarborough area which had necessitated the continuation of the Charter Trustees, expressing concern that without a town council, Scarborough remained without a voice in consultations undertaken by the new unitary authority. In response to a question about the cost of officer support in the budget, the RFO undertook to provide a breakdown whilst noting the various council departments including legal, democratic and finance involved in supporting the Charter Trustees. She noted too that the budget was still an estimate since the first full year of the Charter Trustees had yet to be completed.
Resolved (unanimously) – That: i) The budget and precept of £22,900 for 24/25 be approved
ii) North Yorkshire Council be notified of the 24/25 precept of £22,900.
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Selection of Charter Mayor and Deputy Charter Mayor 2024-25
Resolved (unanimously) – That: (i) Councillor Janet Jefferson be selected as the Charter Mayor for 2024/25 to be appointed at the Annual Meeting on 30 May 2024. (ii) Councillor John Ritchie be selected as the Deputy Charter Mayor for 2024/25 to be appointed at the Annual Meeting on 30 May 2024.
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Any Other Items
There was no urgent business.
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Date of Next Meeting
Thursday, 30 May 2024 at 11am
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The meeting concluded at 10.22 am.