Agenda and draft minutes

Prayers were led by Rev Michael Sparrow.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

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To receive Mayor’s communications and announcements.

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To receive any items of business which in the opinion of the Mayor are urgent. 

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(Members are reminded this is a debate, not a question and answer session)

To consider the following recommendations to Council:

To consider the following recommendation from 6 February Cabinet meeting which was not included in the Feb March or April Council agendas

CAB105: Anti Fraud and Anti Corruption policy review

RECOMMENDED:      That updated Anti Fraud and Anti Corruption Policy be adopted.

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In proposing the  CAB105: Anti Fraud and Anti Corruption policy reviewrecommendation, Councillor Beales indicated that he had previously considered deferring the item from todays business as the other matters for consideration were largely procedural and Civic, but on reflection and discussion with other Councillors he was proposing it for adoption in accordance with the agenda, as it was important for the council to adopt the review of such a policy.  He commended the report.

Councillor Ring seconded the recommendation.

In supporting the recommendation Councillor Dark also commended the report.

RESOLVED:   That CAB105: Anti Fraud and Anti Corruption policy be adopted.

CAB6:  Appointment of Chief Executive

RECOMMENDED:   That Full Council be recommended to approve that the postof ChiefExecutive be offered to Kate Blakemore.

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Councillor Beales proposed CAB6:  Appointment of Chief Executive

“That Full Council be recommended to approve that the postof ChiefExecutive be offered to Kate Blakemore.”

In proposing the recommendation he drew attention to the process of recruitment which had been undertaken and the strong field of candidates.  He commended Kate Blakemore as the strongest candidate and invited Council to endorse the proposal.

Councillor Bone seconded the proposal.

In supporting the recommendation Cllr Ring proposed the following amendment to incorporate the fact that a start date was now known for Ms Blakemore:

“and if accepted Kate Blakemore will be appointed as Chief Executive, Head of Paid Service and Returning Officer commencing from 17 September 2024.”

The amendment was Seconded by Councillor Kemp.

Councillor Beales indicated support for the amendment which then became the substantive motion, which on being put to the vote was agreed.

RECOMMENDED:  That Full Council be recommended to approve that the postof ChiefExecutive be offered to Kate Blakemore and, if accepted, Kate Blakemore will be appointed as Chief Executive, Head of Paid Service and Returning Officer commencing from 17 September 2024.

As recommended at the Standards Committee on 22 May and Cabinet meeting of 3 June 2024, Council is invited to consider passing the under-mentioned resolution:

RECOMMENDED:      1)       That the Extraordinary meeting of the Council being held after the Council meeting on 27 June 2024 to bestow the honour of Honorary Aldermen also be invited include the award of the Honorary of Freedom of the Borough to Ms Jill Bennett, under s249 of the Local Government Act 1972, in recognition of the eminent service that Ms Bennett has given to the Borough and Norfolk.

2)       That the common seal of the Council be affixed to a certificate to be presented to Ms Bennett at the Extraordinary Meeting of Council on 27 June 2024.

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Councillor Long proposed the recommendation below as agreed at the Standards Committee on 22 May and Cabinet meeting of 3 June 2024.  In proposing the recommendations, Councillor Long commented that he was honoured to do so. He drew attention to the long association Ms Bennett had had with the Borough, having worked for BBC Radio Norfolk since its inception, and she had always drawn attention to West Norfolk and news items from there, and had always interviewed individuals with integrity and respect.

The Mayor, Councillor Bland seconded the recommendations, fully endorsing the proposal.

Councillors Moriarty, Dark, Kemp, Rust and Bone all spoke in favour of the proposal commending Ms Bennett for the honour.  On being out to the vote the recommendations were approved.

RESOLVED:   1)       That the Extraordinary meeting of the Council being held after the Council meeting on 27 June 2024 to bestow the honour of Honorary Aldermen also be invited to include the award of the Honorary Freedom of the Borough to Ms Jill Bennett, under s249 of the Local Government Act 1972, in recognition of the eminent service that Ms Bennett has given to the Borough and Norfolk.

2)       That the common seal of the Council be affixed to a certificate to be presented to Ms Bennett at the Extraordinary Meeting of Council on 27 June 2024.