Agenda and minutes

Councillor Michael Harrison, the Charter Mayor of Harrogate, welcomed everyone to the meeting.  Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors John Mann and Monika Slater.

The Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Charter Trustees held on 17 April 2023 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.

No declarations of interest were made at the meeting.

Members of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice to Elizabeth Jackson, Democratic Services Manager  (elizabeth.jackson@northyorks.gov.uk) and supplied the text by noon on Wednesday 18 October 2023, 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.

No public questions or statements had been received.

The Charter Mayor to provide a verbal update on his activities since the last meeting of the Charter Trustees.

The Charter Mayor gave an update on his activities since April.  The Mayor and Deputy Mayor had attended events of a civic nature where the Mayor’s attendance would be expected and these included commemorations for the anniversary of the War Memorial in Harrogate and the coronation.  The Mayor and Deputy Mayor had also supported events in the town which brought significant economic benefit and some of a more local nature.

To appoint the North Yorkshire Council Deputy Section 151 Officer, Karen Iveson, as Responsible Financial Officer for the Charter Trustees

Resolved (unanimously) –

That Karen Iveson, Assistant Director Finance at North Yorkshire Council and Deputy S151 Officer, be appointed as Responsible Financial Officer for the Charter Trustees.

To note the report of the Responsible Financial Officer

Considered –

A report by Karen Iveson, Assistant Director Finance, presenting the in-year budget position to the end of Quarter 2 of 2023-24 for approval.  Graham Byrne, North Yorkshire Council’s Head of Finance – Transport, Regulatory and Projects, presented the report and advised that the only spend to date was that for officer support.  A further report would be brought to the December meeting of the Charter Trustees in relation to the budget for 2024-25 and it was confirmed that the treatment of underspends and officer time would be included in the report.

Resolved (unanimously) –

That the Charter Trustees note the expenditure incurred to the end of September

2023.

To approve the report of the Clerk to the Charter Trustees

Considered –

A report by Barry Khan, Clerk to the Charter Trustees, seeking authority for the loan of specific items from the civic collection to local organisations continuing arrangements previously established by Harrogate Borough Council.

Elizabeth Jackson, Democratic Services Manager, presented the report and confirmed that if organisations wished to exchange items they currently held with other items from the collection this could be arranged.

Resolved (unanimously) –

That     (1) the Clerk to the Charter Trustees be authorised to undertake the necessary checks and agree the loan of civic items to local organisations as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report; and

            (2) the Clerk to the Charter Trustees be authorised to make changes to the items on loan throughout the year.

There was no urgent business.

To approve the additional meeting scheduled for 11 December 2023:

(i)             to consider the appointments to the positions of Charter Mayor and Deputy Charter Mayor for 2024-25; and

(ii)            to approve the budget and precept for 2024-25

The next meeting would be held on 11 December 2023 to consider the appointments to the positions of Charter Mayor and Deputy Charter Mayor for 2024-25 and to approve the budget and precept for 2024-25.

The meeting concluded at 10.45 am.