To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bicknell, Brimacombe, Bullock, Coppinger, Da Costa, Diment, Hill, Hilton, Jones, Luxton, Majeed, Pryer,   S Rayner, Saunders, Stretton, Targowska, Walters, Werner and Yong.

To receive any declarations of interest

There were no declarations of interest received.

For details of the Order of Proceedings please see page 7

The Mayor, Councillor Lenton, welcomed everyone to the Annual Meeting and gave a brief résumé of his year in office. Councillor Lenton commented that last year’s Annual Meeting had been held in shadow of the Manchester arena terror attack and shortly after the terrible Grenfell fire.  However, he explained by contrast this year’s Mayor making was taking place immediately after the spectacular wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Windsor, one of the largest and happiest events to take place in the Borough.  Councillor Lenton congratulated all those people and organisations that had worked so hard to make that event such a success, in particular the Council’s employees and volunteers. 

Councillor Lenton paid tribute to the Mayoress who had accompanied and supported him on almost all his Mayoral engagements and in many cases had contributed to them, especially where school and cultural activities had been involved.  He explained that they had made countless visits to organisations and charities who served local residents, were always made welcome wherever they went and was delighted that members from a number of those organisation were present at the meeting.

He also paid tribute to the many volunteers who gave up their time to support the many organisations working within the borough and was pleased to see so many young people taking part in community activities, particularly at a time when young people were so often criticised. 

He advised that throughout the year they had been able to support the Council’s twinning links by visiting Goslar and Bad Godesburg and had received visitors from St Cloud.  Unfortunately, the visit to Goslar in December had been slightly spoilt by the closure of Heathrow airport after they had started their return journey.

He thanked the officers that had supported both himself and the Mayoress in their roles throughout the year, thanked the Leader of the Council and his fellow Councillors for their support and thanked all the employees of the Royal Borough who made Windsor and Maidenhead such a pleasant and happy place in which to work and live. 

In conclusion, to mark the 100^th anniversary of the Royal Air Force, Councillor Lenton presented trophies to Cadet Flight Sergeant Jade Preece from 155 ATC (Maidenhead), for the work she had done over the last 12 months running the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme for the unit and carrying out training for the cadets, and Cadet Sergeant Joseph Patmore from 459 (Windsor) Squadron, who had been chosen as the leading cadet from his unit for the year.

THE MAYOR INVITED NOMINATIONS FOR THE ELECTION OF THE MAYOR OF THE ROYAL BOROUGH FOR 2018/2019.

In proposing Councillor Paul Lion for the role of Mayor, Councillor Quick commented that the Mayor, as First Citizen of the Borough, was the public face of the Council and was an ambassador both inside and outside of the Borough.  She explained that nothing could really prepare a person for the role of Mayor as every year was different and every  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

For details of the Order of Proceedings please see page 7

In nominating Councillor Rayner for the office of Deputy Mayor, Councillor David Evans explained that you could tell a lot about a person from their pet.   He commented upon the particular characteristics of Councillor C Rayner’s pet dog, Stubbings, a West Highland Terrier.  He explained that Councillor Rayner shared many of those characteristics, as he was intelligent, quick to learn, independent, assured and self-confident, although he jovially advised that they also had a tendency to be stubborn, leading to issues with training. However, he contended that by marrying his wife, Councillor Samantha Rayner, and together producing triplet daughters, Councillor Rayner had adequately dealt with the issue of training.

He explained that Councillor C Rayner was also territorial and could proudly trace his ancestry back to the 14^th Century.  He commented that the family have had a substantial farming business in the area for many years and explained that it was claimed that you could walk from one end of the Borough to the other without leaving Rayner land. 

He advised that the Rayner family had built up a successful entrepreneurial family business and that Councillor C Rayner was recognised in both local and national farming organisations. For those early risers, Councillor C Rayner was also a regular contributor on the early morning BBC Radio 4 Farming Today programme.

He advised that Councillor Rayner was a man dedicated to public service and had served the residents of Horton and Wraysbury since 2005.  He had served as a member of the Cabinet, had been Mayor in 2012/2013, having been Deputy Mayor the preceding year and had also served on Horton Parish Council since 2003.

In conclusion, Councillor D Evans commented upon Councillor C Rayner’s strength of character, which he stated shone through in his leadership during the great floods in 2014.  Along with others, Councillor C Rayner coordinated a team to assist stranded residents and played a leading role in bringing the plight of the local residents devastated by the floods to national attention.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Dr L Evans advised that Councillor C Rayner had been a great support to her when she was elected to serve on the Council.  She explained that as Deputy Mayoress, his wife Samantha Rayner, who was not only a Councillor but Lead Member for Culture and Communities, was ideally suited to support him in the role of Deputy Mayor.

Councillor Dr L Evans commented upon the various community projects and organisations with which Councillor S Rayner was involved, in particular a number of the charities that she supported as a Trustee.  Councillor Dr L Evans also commented upon Councillor Rayner’s three daughters, who were all studying at university, and outlined their various achievements. 

In conclusion, Councillor Dr L Evans advised that Councillor C Rayner would be ably supported by all the women in his family and therefore it was her pleasure to second the motion that he be elected Deputy Mayor for the coming year.

It was moved by Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider the structure and appointment of Committees and Panels etc as the Council considers appropriate to deal with matters which are neither reserved to the Council nor part executive functions. Council is required also to appoint the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen to each body appointed under this item with the exception of the Appeals Panel, which shall select a Chairman from the Panel membership at the start of each Panel meeting for the duration of that meeting, and the Overview and Scrutiny Panels which shall elect Chairmen from their membership.

Members considered the proposed committee/panel/forum membership for 2018/19.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That:

a)    The membership of the Committees, Panels, Forums for the ensuing Municipal Year be approved as detailed in Appendix A.

b)   The Chairman and Vice-Chairman as indicated in Appendix A be appointed for the ensuing Municipal Year.

c)    Authority to amend/make further appointments on the nomination of the relevant Group Leader be delegated to the Service Lead - Democratic Services.

d)   Authority to amend the Constitution as appropriate in light of any amendments to the structure of Panels, Committees and Forums as detailed in Appendix A be delegated to the Monitoring Officer.

To consider the above report

Members considered the programme of meetings for 2018/19.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Council approves the programme of meetings for the 2018/19 Municipal Year.

In closing the meeting, the Mayor invited Henrique Santos and Harry Joys to present bouquets to the Mayoress, immediate past Mayoress and immediate Past Deputy Mayor.

The meeting, which started at 7.30pm, ended at 8.29pm