To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bullock, Diment, Grey, C. Rayner, Walters 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 Luxton, welcomed everyone to the Annual Meeting and gave a brief résumé of her year of office.

Councillor Luxton commenced by stating that it had been such an honour and joy to serve the residents of the Royal Borough as Mayor over that last 12 months and that she had enjoyed the last year immensely.  Councillor Luxton commented that she would cherish the time that she held the office of Mayor and she hoped that she had made the Borough proud. 

Councillor Luxton commented that it was with a little sadness and great relief that she was handing over the mayoral chain to her successor.  Councillor Luxton advised that she had been delighted and humbled to experience at first hand the generosity of members of the local community and that, together with her consort, had met a large number of volunteers, without whom many local charities and good causes would not be able to function. 

Councillor Luxton commented upon the numerous local voluntary groups that were making life better for the residents of the Royal Borough and the many individuals in the Borough who were helping others that were less fortunate than themselves.  She advised that that it had been a pleasure to meet hundreds of local people ranging from young persons to senior citizen and to listen to their stories and to learn more about them.

Councillor Luxton commented upon her delight to have raised funds for her chosen charity, the Household Cavalry Foundation and stated that she had been overwhelmed by the support shown for the events that she had hosted in aid of the Foundation.  She thanked those that had helped her organise those events, in particular Alan Carr, Jacqui Fletcher, Helen Francis and Martine Curzon.

Councillor Luxton stated that she was pleased that the War Horse Memorial had progressed so far during my Mayoral year and that the official launch of the project had been at her Charity Ball earlier that month.  She explained that the project would provide ongoing fundraising in support of the armed forces and other associated charities and that she looked forward to following its progress over the next 12 months. 

Councillor Luxton thanked her Deputy Mayor, Councillor John Lenton, and his wife Margaret, for their support and wished them well for the forthcoming year.  She also thanked her fellow councillors for all their support and her husband Ian and her family for their support, love and patience throughout the year.  Councillor Luxton also thanked the Mayoral team for looking after her, in particular the Mayor’s Officers Mark, Tom and David, who had taken the stress out of driving to and from mayoral engagements.

In conclusion, Councillor Luxton presented a cheque for £30,000 to Lieutenant Colonel Giles Stibbe, Director of Household Cavalry Foundation, which represented the money that has been raised during the year in support of her chosen Charity.  Lieutenant Colonel Giles Stibbe briefly addressed the meeting to thank the Mayor for raising the funds for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 138.

For details of the Order of Proceedings please see page 7

In nominating Councillor Quick for the office of Deputy Mayor, Councillor David Evans  advised that Councillor Quick, known to all as Dee, had been an outstanding Mayor a couple of years ago during Her Majesty’s 90^th birthday celebrations.  

Councillor D Evans explained that being Mayor or Deputy Mayor was all consuming for the twelve months of office and that, although one would think that Councillor Quick would be happy to put her feet up and take a well earned rest, the Mayoralty was a family business as her father had been Mayor and Deputy Mayor on two occasions and her grandfather had also been Mayor and Deputy Mayor twice.  Councillor D Evans advised that Councillor Quick therefore had some way to go before she could put her feet up and quipped that with that family history it appeared that there appeared to be more than one dynasty in Windsor.

Councillor D Evans explained that Councillor Quick had been involved in the heart of the community as a teacher and lecturer of Home Economics in local schools and colleges for almost 40 years, had been a Councillor for over 17 years, had served on numerous Panels and charities and had also been a Cabinet member for 8 years as lead member for Children’s Services and for Leisure, Libraries and Culture.

Councillor D Evans explained that, despite the unprecedented changes that the Council had experienced, Councillor Quick had never lost sight of the key objective of delivering for the residents of the Borough.  He recalled that, when Councillor Quick had been the lead member for Children’s Services and he had been a new Councillor on the scrutiny panel, Councillor Quick never lost sight of the need to deliver for the Borough’s young people and to ensure that the most vulnerable were safeguarded.  He stated that Councillor Quick was always polite and courteous but had a steely resolve.  

In conclusion, Councillor D Evans reiterated that Councillor Quick had undertaken the role of Mayor successfully 2015-16, taking part in the Magna Carta 800 year celebrations and Her Majesty’s 90^th birthday celebrations, and that together with her husband John, she was looking forward to supporting Councillor Lenton and Margaret during what was going to be a busy and enjoyable mayoral year.

In seconding the motion, Councillor Ed Wilson commented upon how well known and respected Councillor Quick was within Windsor.  Councillor E Wilson announced that Councillor Quick and her husband John had been married for many years and had two grown up children and a grandson, who all lived in the Borough.

Councillor E Wilson explained that Councillor Quick and John had met in Newcastle whilst training to be teachers and that they had taught in some of our local schools for a number of years.  Councillor E Wilson explained that subsequently John had been called by God to spread the word of the Lord to Windsor residents, particularly those living in the east of Dedworth who enjoyed access and use the many  ...  view the full minutes text for item 139.

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 2017/18. The Leader highlighted a small amendment to the membership of Maidenhead Development Management Panel.

RESOLVED: That:

a)            The membership of the Committees, Panels, Forums for the ensuing Municipal Year be approved as detailed in Table 1.

b)           The Chairman and Vice-Chairman as indicated below 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 Democratic Services Manager.

d)           Authority to amend the Constitution as appropriate in light of amendments to the structure of Panels, Committees and Forums as detailed in Table 1 be delegated to the Monitoring Officer.

Table 1