Agenda and draft minutes

The Charter Mayor, Councillor Michael Harrison, welcomed everyone to the meeting.  The Mayor also welcomed Councillor Andrew Timothy, the newly elected Councillor for Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone division, to his first meeting of the Charter Trustees.

An apology for absence had been received from Councillor John Mann.

To elect a Mayor for 2024/25

Moved by Councillor Michael Harrison         Seconded by Councillor Philip Broadbank

Resolved (unanimously) –

That Councillor Chris Aldred be elected Charter Mayor of Harrogate for 2024-2025.

The Charter Mayor made the declaration of acceptance of office.

The Charter Mayor, Councillor Chris Aldred, in the Chair

To elect a Deputy Charter Mayor for 2024/25

Moved by Councillor Chris Aldred            Seconded by Councillor Monica Slater

Resolved (unanimously) –

That Councillor Philip Broadbank be elected Deputy Charter Mayor of Harrogate for 2024-2025.

The Deputy Charter Mayor made the declaration of acceptance of office.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Charter Trustees held on 11 December 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.

A verbal update on the activities of the Charter Mayor and Deputy Charter Mayor since the last meeting of the Charter Trustees.

The Mayor invited Councillor Michael Harrison, the outgoing Charter Mayor, to give an update on Mayoral activities undertaken since December.  Councillor Harrison began by thanking Councillor Aldred for being his Deputy, and thanked officers for their support during what had been an enjoyable year.  The Charter Mayor was a smaller role than the Borough Council Mayor and events attended were those of a civic nature where the Mayor would be expected to attend such as Remembrance Sunday or wreath laying, some community events and occasionally corporate events at HCC where visiting conferences had invited the Mayor.

The Mayor then thanked Councillor Harrison for his work during his year in office and undertaking the role so well, and he advised he would take the same approach to attendance at events.  The Mayor reported there was no cost to the council tax payer for the Mayor’s attendance at events.

To approve meetings for the remainder of the 2024/25 municipal year being 22 July 2024 at 10.30 am and 24 October 2024 at 10.30 am.

Dates for meetings of the Charter Trustees for the remainder of the municipal year would be agreed with Members following the meeting.

To approve the appointment of an external auditor for the Charter Trustees

Considered –

A report by the Responsible Financial Officer for the Charter Trustees seeking approval for the appointment of the external auditor of the Charter Trustees through the national framework overseen by the Smaller Authorities’ Auditor Appointments body.

Resolved (unanimously) –

That the Charter Trustees for Harrogate agree the use of the Smaller Authorities’ Auditor Appointments framework for the appointment of the external auditor.

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

There was no urgent business.