Agenda and minutes

Members were advised that Councillor Broadbent had submitted apologies, Head of Legal (Major Projects), Carol Rehill was deputising for the Clerk to the Charter Trustees and Monitoring Officer, Barry Khan, and that the Responsible Finance Officer, Karen Iveson would be attending the meeting remotely.

Resolved –

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2023, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

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 interests.

Members of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice to St John Harris of Democratic and Scrutiny Services and supplied the text (contact details below) by midday on Tuesday, 12 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 Chairman who will instruct anyone who may be taking a recording to cease while you speak.

There were no public questions or statements.

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

The Charter Mayor presented his report noting that since the last meeting he had attended some dozen engagements the most significant of which was the Remembrance Sunday commemoration at Oliver’s Mount.  He extended thanks to all those involved in organising this important annual event.  He had already attended some Christmas carol services including that of the Rotary Club Scarborough and had been impressed by the generosity of donations to their Christmas toy appeal.

Resolved (unanimously) –

That the Charter Mayor’s verbal report be noted.

Considered-

A report of the Responsible Finance Officer setting out the in-year budget position of the Charter Trustees to the end of November 2023. 

Resolved (unanimously) –

That the Charter Trustees note the expenditure incurred to the end of November 2023.

Considered-

A report of the Responsible Finance Officer (RFO) in respect of the proposed Charter Trustees budget and precept for 24/25.  Members were advised that the budget was essentially a roll over from 23/24 with figures updated for appropriate inflation. The majority of the trustees’ costs were associated with officer support charges from North Yorkshire Council. These had been inflated by 6% in line with expected price increase for these services. Other budgets had been reviewed and summarised to simplify administration going forward, including a £500 increase in the Charter Mayor’s allowance.  The proposed budget equated to an increase of £0.14 for an average annual Band D charge from £1.71 to £1.85.  In commenting on the report, members were critical of the delay in the community governance review for the Scarborough area which had necessitated the continuation of the Charter Trustees, expressing concern that without a town council, Scarborough remained without a voice in consultations undertaken by the new unitary authority.  In response to a question about the cost of officer support in the budget, the RFO undertook to provide a breakdown whilst noting the various council departments including legal, democratic and finance involved in supporting the Charter Trustees.  She noted too that the budget was still an estimate since the first full year of the Charter Trustees had yet to be completed.

Resolved (unanimously) –

That:

i) The budget and precept of £22,900 for 24/25 be approved

ii) North Yorkshire Council be notified of the 24/25 precept of £22,900.

That the following nominations be proposed for the Annual Meeting on 30 May 2024:

Charter Mayor – Cllr Janet Jefferson

Proposer: Cllr Liz Colling

Seconder: Cllr Rich Maw

Deputy Charter Mayor – Cllr John Ritchie

Proposer: Cllr Janet Jefferson

Seconder: Cllr Liz Colling

Resolved (unanimously) –

That:

(i)             Councillor Janet Jefferson be selected as the Charter Mayor for 2024/25 to be appointed at the Annual Meeting on 30 May 2024.

(ii)            Councillor John Ritchie be selected as the Deputy Charter Mayor for 2024/25 to be appointed at the Annual Meeting on 30 May 2024.

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

There was no urgent business.

Thursday, 30 May 2024 at 11am

Thursday, 30 May 2024 at 11am