Agenda and minutes

Members held a minute’s silence in memory of Janet Chapman, former Mayoress of Harrogate, who had recently passed away.

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

There were no apologies for absence.

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Charter Trustees held on 30 May 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.

Councillor Andrew Timothy declared a non-pecuniary interest as he was a Steward and Trustee of Trinity Methodist Church; and on the 8 September 2024 he had attended the same event that the Deputy Charter Mayor had attended, namely, the welcome service for the new Minister.

Members of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice to Elizabeth Jackson, Principal Democratic Services Officer (elizabeth.jackson@northyorks.gov.uk)  and supplied the text by midday on Monday 9 September, 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 stated that he had circulated an email to Members which listed the events that either he or the Deputy Charter Mayor had attended since the meeting held in May.  It was confirmed that as Mayor he had attended 18 events, with the Deputy Mayor attending 4 events; these included the RAF Ancillary Force Wreath Laying Ceremony at Stonefall Cemetery in Harrogate. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor had also supported events in the town which brought economic benefit and some of a more local nature.

The Charter Mayor highlighted that he had recently circulated an email to Members in which he had been approached, as the Mayor, by a company who had relocated to Harrogate.  The company operated a community fund, which provided volunteer time and monies to charitable organisations.  The Mayor reminded Members that, should they be aware of any organisations who may wish to submit a proposal to the company, that the deadline was today, 12 September 2024.

To approve the report of the Responsible Financial Officer

A report by Karen Iveson, Assistant Director Finance, presenting the in-year budget position to the end of Quarter 4 of 2023-24 for approval. 

Resolved (unanimously) –

That     (1) the Charter Trustees note the expenditure incurred to the end of March 2024 for the financial year 2023-24; and

            (2) the Charter Trustees approve the year-end accounts for 2023-24 for submission to the auditor.

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

There was no urgent business.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Charter Trustees had been scheduled into the committee calendar for the 28 November 2024, however, in view of the items expected to be on the agenda for that meeting Members were asked to consider three other dates, to allow more time.

It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Charter Trustees be scheduled to take place on Thursday 14 November 2024 at 10.00 am.

Members requested clarification on how a precept is set and the processes involved for a newly created Town Council, officers confirmed that they would look into the matter and report back to the Members.