Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual Meeting - Online access

Contact: Karen Shepherd  01628 796529

Video Stream: Click here to watch this meeting on YouTube

Items
No. Item

57.

Apologies for Absence

To receive any apologies for absence

Minutes:

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Targowski.

58.

Declarations of Interest pdf icon PDF 219 KB

To receive any declarations of interest

Minutes:

None received.

59.

Election of Mayor for the Remainder of the 2020/21 Municipal Year pdf icon PDF 57 KB

For details of the order of proceedings please see page 7

Minutes:

The Mayor, Sayonara Luxton, welcomed everyone to the Annual Meeting and gave a brief résumé of her year in office.  She explained that it had been an honour to serve the residents of the Royal Borough as the Mayor once again.  Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the term of office had been a little longer than anticipated. It had in fact stretched to 19 months but it had been a privilege to be able to help the community at such a difficult time. 

 

Although since March the Mayor had been unable to host or attend the traditional events, virtual ways of communicating had been used instead.  It was not the same as meeting face to face but it was lucky that the technology was in place to keep people in touch.

 

The Mayor commented that it had been humbling to see how the community had pulled together.  She had been overwhelmed by the response to her scrubs appeal and delighted that she had been able to continue fundraising for her chosen charity, Thames Hospice. It had been disappointing to have to cancel the annual Mayoral Charity Ball but heartening to receive so many donations via Just Giving and to have a successful on line auction.  The Mayor thanked all those who had supported her by making financial contributions, sewing scrubs or donating prizes. Over £40,000 had been raised for Thames Hospice and it had been her pleasure to present a cheque to their CEO the previous day. 

 

The Mayor also thanked her husband Ian and her family for all their support over the extended mayoralty and also the mayoral team for their support, friendship and guidance. They had been excellent.

 

Despite the sadness, illness and bereavement of 2020 there had been many positive stories as well and if there was a silver lining, it was the community spirit that had thrived. She hoped the good work would continue and that things would be a little brighter for everyone in 2021.

 

Councillor Hunt commented that the Mayor had stepped up at a difficult time and had been magnificent.  She had been invaluable in all her Mayoral duties and activities including raising the sum of £40,000, which had taken huge effort and hard work.

 

The Mayor invited nominations for the election of the Mayor of the Royal Borough for the remainder of the 2020/21 municipal year.

 

In proposing Councillor Story, Councillor Johnson commented that he would be a fine first citizen of the borough. It was not an easy time to take on the role; Councillor Luxton had conducted herself with absolute splendour during her term, in the most challenging time any Mayor had faced in the post-War period. Councillor Johnson had a high degree of confidence that Councillor Story would undertake the role with a high degree of aplomb and rigour. Every Mayor brought different qualities. Councillor Johnson explained that he had previously undertaken the role in a different authority. He could attest to what a wonderful experience it was both  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

60.

Election of Deputy Mayor for the Remainder of the 2020/21 Municipal Year

For details of the order of proceedings please see page 7

 

Minutes:

The Mayor invited nominations for the election of the Deputy Mayor of the Royal Borough for the remainder of the 2020/21 municipal year.

 

In proposing Councillor Muir, Councillor Luxton explained that he was originally from Blackpool, but had been educated at Henley College, before becoming the youngest ever Area Manager for the Association of Retailers of America.  After that he spent a decade working in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  He moved back from the Middle East in 1989 and started his own business, providing hygiene systems to large food manufacturers throughout the UK. He raised two sons, Christopher and Jonathan.

 

Councillor Muir was elected to the Royal Borough in a by-election in 2007. He had been the Deputy Mayor for 19 months and would again continue in that role.  He was a great guy to work with, very polite and always ready to step in when required.  She had enjoyed working with him and had a few good laughs. Councillor Muir had raised funds for a number of local charities.  He was the current Chairman of the Datchet Branch of the Royal British Legion.  In 2018 he campaigned and successfully relaunched the Windsor Branch which had been closed for many years. It was a proud moment when the Windsor Standard took centre stage at Remembrance Sunday in 2020. In his spare time he volunteered at his much loved Blue Acre Horse Rescue charity with fundraising and other support.

 

In seconding the motion, Councillor Rayner explained that Caron North had been the Deputy Mayoress since May 2019. Caron would be honoured and privileged to carry on this role supporting local communities and charitable good causes within The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

 

Caron was born and educated in Sheffield. After college in 1985 she moved to Old Windsor where she studied Equestrian Science and Husbandry. Caron’s life had been full of her passion for horses and the community. Caron had had several jobs where she had worked, trained and cared for horses. This had led to her driving horse-drawn carriages in Windsor 34 years ago where she met for the first time her now closest friend Bob Reagan. This was a turning point in her life and she then began working on Bob’s farm, driving HGV lorries. She bought her own horse and rescued many animals. In 2002 Caron and Bob founded The Blue Acre Horse Rescue. Caron had created a sanctuary where she gave 24-hour care to not just horses but chickens, ducks, goats and dogs.

 

Caron’s community dedication also included working with the Ways Into Work scheme helping disadvantaged young people. Many children and young adults visited the farm which gave them a much needed escape. Caron also worked part time at the Old Windsor Club. Caron was a truly remarkable lady who would be a fabulous ambassador for The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

 

It was moved by Councillor Luxton, seconded by Councillor Rayner, and:

 

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Councillor Gary Muir be elected Deputy Mayor of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

61.

Political Balance and Appointment of Committee/Panel/Forum Membership and Chairmen/Vice Chairmen for the Remainder of the 2020/21 Municipal Year pdf icon PDF 375 KB

To consider the above report

Minutes:

Members considered the memberships of the council’s panels, committees and forums for the remainder of the municipal year.

 

It was confirmed that Councillor Story would step down from a number of positions as he had now been elected as Mayor.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Johnson, seconded by Councillor Rayner, and:

 

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Full Councilnotes the report and:

 

i)          Notes the political balance of the council detailed in Table 1, as reviewed and agreed by full Council at its last meeting on 27 October 2020.

ii)        Approves the membership of the committees, panels and forums for the remainder of the Municipal Year as detailed in Appendix A.

iii)       Appoints the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen for the remainder of the Municipal Year as detailed in Appendix A.

iv)       Delegates authority to the Head of Governance to amend/make further appointments on the nomination of the relevant Group Leader.