Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence

Councillor Michael Harrison, the Charter Mayor of Harrogate, welcomed everyone to the meeting.  Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Chris Aldred, Peter Lacey, John Mann and Pat Marsh.

Minutes of the Meeting held on 23 October 2023

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Charter Trustees held on 23 October 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.

Declarations of Interest

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 midday on Wednesday 6 December, 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.

Questions and Statements by the Public

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.

Charter Mayor’s Report

The Charter Mayor gave an update on his activities since the October meeting.  The Mayor had maintained the civic traditions of Harrogate and had led the commemorations on Remembrance Sunday with the Parade and Service at the War Memorial followed by the service at the Wesley Chapel.  The Mayor had also attended the Service of Remembrance at Stonefall Cemetery, the Closing Ceremony of the 100^th Anniversary of the War Memorial and the Festival of Remembrance at St Peter’s Church.  The Mayor had been invited to the Local Fund Celebration which recognised the achievements of local organisations.  More recently the Deputy Mayor had attended the Starbeck Christmas Lights Switch on and the Mayor had opened the Harrogate Christmas Market.

To note the report of the Responsible Financial Officer

Finance Report

A report by Karen Iveson, Assistant Director Finance, presenting the in-year budget position to the end of Quarter 3 of 2023-24 for approval. 

Resolved (unanimously) –

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

2023.

To approve the report of the Responsible Financial Officer

Charter Trustees Budget and Precept 2024-25

Considered –

A report by Karen Iveson, Assistant Director Finance (ADF), presenting the budget and precept for the Charter Trustees for Harrogate for 2024-25 for approval, which was attached at Appendix A.  The ADF advised that this was a roll forward budget, which included a 6% inflation increase where appropriate.

The Charter Trustees considered various items which had been included in the budget and it was agreed that ACTT membership and mileage claims be removed from the budget, and the officer support budget be increased by a corresponding amount.  This would give an overall budget of £12,800 and a Band D precept of 46p for 2024-25, an increase of 2p from 2023-24. 

Resolved (unanimously) –

That     (1) the budget and precept of £12,800 for 2024-25, as amended, be approved; and

            (2) North Yorkshire Council be notified of the 2024-25 precept of £12,800.

To inform Charter Trustees of nominations for the Charter Mayor and Deputy Charter Mayor for the Council year 2024/25

Charter Mayor and Deputy Charter Mayor for 2024-25

In accordance with the procedures of the Charter Trustees, the Mayor submitted the nominations of Councillor Chris Aldred as Charter Mayor and Councillor Mike Schofield as Deputy Charter Mayor.  The Mayor congratulated them both and advised that a formal vote would be taken at the Annual Meeting.

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

Any other items - such other business which the Chair agrees should be considered as a matter of urgency because of special circumstances.

There was no urgent business.

To approve the date of the Annual Meeting scheduled for Tuesday 21 May 2024 at 10.30 am

Date of next meeting

The next meeting of the Charter Trustees would be the Annual Meeting and would be held on 21 May 2024 at 10.30 am.