Agenda and draft minutes

The Charter Mayor of Harrogate, Councillor Chris Aldred, welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Michael Harrison and Mike Schofield.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Charter Trustees held on 14 November 2024 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

All Members are invited to declare at this point any interests they have in items appearing on this agenda, including the nature of those interests.

There were no declarations of interest.

Members of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice to Elizabeth Jackson on elizabeth.jackson@northyorks.gov.uk and supplied the text (contact details below) by midday on Monday 17 March 2025, three working days before the day of the meeting.  Each speaker should limit themselves to 3 minutes on any item.  Members of the public who have given notice will be invited to speak:-

·         at this point in the meeting if their questions/statements relate to matters which are not otherwise on the Agenda (subject to an overall time limit of 30 minutes);

·         when the relevant Agenda item is being considered if they wish to speak on a matter which is on the Agenda for this meeting.

If you are exercising your right to speak at this meeting, but do not wish to be recorded, please inform the Chair who will instruct anyone who may be taking a recording to cease while you speak.

There were no public questions.

The Charter Mayor will report on their recent activities and any associated issues.

The Charter Mayor reported that details of events attended by him and the Deputy Charter Mayor since the last meeting of the Charter Trustees on 14 November 2024 had been circulated to Members. 

To approve the report of the Responsible Financial Officer

A report by the Assistant Director of Finance and Responsible Financial Officer to the Charter Trustees, Karen Iveson, presenting the full year budget position to the 31 March 2025 for the financial year 2024-25, for approval.

It was noted that there was a surplus of £491 for the year, the total amount held in reserve was £931.

The Assistant Director reported that a grant of £500 from reserves had been requested for the Harrogate BID to support VE Day commemorations in Harrogate town on 8 May 2025, subject to terms and conditions and the agreement of the Charter Trustees.

Resolved (unanimously)

That     (i) the Charter Trustees note the expenditure incurred to the end of March 2025; and

            (ii) the Charter Trustees approve a grant of up to £500 from reserves to the Harrogate BID towards costs of VE Day commemorations.

Any other items which the Mayor agrees should be considered as a matter of urgency because of special circumstances

The Mayor noted that this was the final meeting of the Charter Trustees for Harrogate prior to the creation of Harrogate Town Council on 1 April 2025.  The Charter Trustees thanked officers for their guidance and support over the previous two years.  In particular the Charter Mayor thanked the other Charter Trustees for their support in maintaining civic traditions in the absence of a Town Council.