The Chair will ask for nominations for the Office of Chair of the Council for the ensuing Civic Year.
(The Chair, if nominated, may not vote on his/her own election).
Minutes:
The Chair, Councillor Cathy Gardner, welcomed Councillors, Honorary Aldermen and members of the public to the meeting.
She began by reminding those present that they were meeting at Westpoint Centre following the Government’s recent decision that Councils revert to the legal position for Local Authority meetings prior to the recent emergency legislation introduced to deal with the COVID pandemic. This requires that Councils meet physically between March and May each year to hold the Annual Council meeting, to appoint the Chair and Vice Chair, Leader and determine their Governance arrangements and appointments for the coming Civic Year. The meeting was being held at Westpoint Centre so that those attending could meet safely and to comply with continuing Government restrictions.
She went on to remind everyone that they had already received information prior to the meeting and available on the day about how to act safely while they were at the meeting and asked everyone to respect the advice they had been given.
Then as outgoing Chair, she invited nominations for the office of Chair of the Council for the ensuing year. Councillor Geoff Pook proposed and Councillor Susie Bond seconded Councillor Ian Thomas being elected Chair of the Council for the coming civic year.
In proposing, Councillor Pook spoke of Councillor Thomas’s extensive experience as a councillor, and how he would continue to show his commitment to East Devon during his term as Chair. He also referred to the role of the Chair which was often taken for granted, but in a Council which was currently very diverse and divided, Cllr Thomas would be the representative which local people rightly deserved.
In seconding, Councillor Bond said that the position was much deserved given that Councillor Thomas had earned the trust of those across the political spectrum having been in both Conservative and Independent ranks, and that this provided an ideal opportunity for all political groups to commence a new era of collaborative working.
The Chair asked for other nominations.
Councillor Ben Ingham proposed and Councillor Alan Dent seconded Councillor Andrew Moulding being elected Chair of the Council for the coming civic year.
In proposing Cllr Ingham referred to the fact that Cllr Moulding had 34 years’ experience as an EDDC Councillor and has also undertaken the role of Chair previously.
In seconding, Cllr Dent referred to Cllr Moulding as having shown personal integrity and support for his colleagues; significant experience as a District and County Councillor; deep local knowledge and was not driven by personal ambition.
Following a vote by show of hands, Cllr Thomas was duly elected by a majority of those present.
RESOLVED
that Councillor Ian Thomas be elected Chair of the Council for the ensuing year.
Following the election, Councillor Thomas read, and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
He then spoke in response to his election. He thanked his proposer and seconder and other Members for their endorsement, and for attending the meeting at Westpoint. He also thanked Councillor Gardner as the outgoing Chair for her good work on behalf of EDDC and her services as Chair during one of the most dreadful years in living memory.
In response, Councillor Gardner referred to the difficulties faced and addressed during the year. Meeting remotely via Zoom had been challenging, so it was good to see Members in person again. She stated that it had been an honour to be the Chair of EDDC and she was proud of her colleagues for what they had achieved during that time.