Agenda and draft minutes

To elect a Chairman for the forthcoming year.

Cllr Bridget Wayman, Chairman of the Council, opened the meeting and sought nominations for a Chairman for 2025/26.

 

Cllr Laura Mayes was nominated by Cllr Nabil Najjar, seconded by Cllr Andrew Davis.

 

Cllr Ruth Hopkinson was nominated by Cllr Jon Hubbard, seconded by Cllr Ian Thorn.

 

In accordance with Paragraph 3.2 of Part 4 of the Constitution a secret ballot was requested by the requisite number of Members. Following that secret ballot it was,

 

Resolved:

 

To elect Cllr Laura Mayes as Chairman of the Council for 2025/26.

 

The number of votes cast was as follows:

 

Cllr Laura Mayes:                 48 votes

Cllr Ruth Hopkinson:           48 votes

Abstentions:                          1 vote

 

The presiding Chairman therefore used their casting vote for Cllr Mayes.

To elect a Vice-Chairman for the forthcoming year.

The Chairman sought nominations for a Vice-Chairman for 2025/26.

 

Cllr Christopher Newbury was nominated by Cllr James Sheppard, seconded by Cllr Elizabeth Threlfall.

 

Cllr Ruth Hopkinson was nominated by Cllr Jon Hubbard, seconded by Cllr Ian Thorn.

 

In accordance with Paragraph 3.2 of Part 4 of the Constitution a secret ballot was requested by the requisite number of Members. Following that secret ballot it was,

 

Resolved:

 

To elect Cllr Ruth Hopkinson as Vice-Chairman of the Council for 2025/26.

 

The number of votes cast was as follows:

 

Cllr Christopher Newbury:  47 votes

Cllr Ruth Hopkinson:           49 votes

Abstentions:                          2 votes

 

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Cllr Mike Sankey.

To approve as a true and correct record and sign the minutes of the ordinary meeting of Council held on 25 February 2025 and the extraordinary meeting of Council held on 11 March 2025.

The minutes of the meetings held on 25 February and 11 March 2025 were received for consideration, and it was,

 

Resolved:

 

That the minutes be approved and signed as true and correct records.

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee or Monitoring Officer.

There were no declarations of disclosable interests.

To receive any announcements through the Chairman.

Through the Chair there were the following announcements:

 

a)    Chairman’s Engagements

 

Thursday 6 March 2025?	-       Wiltshire Business and Sports Gala Dinner, County Hall, Trowbridge?
Sunday 16 March 2025 ?	-       High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Service for the Rule of Law, Salisbury Cathedral ?
Monday 7 April 2025?	-       Presentation of British Empire Medals (BEMs) awarded to Wiltshire recipients in HM The King’s Birthday Honours 2024 and New Year Honours 2025 ?
Thursday 8 May 2025?	-       VE Day 80th Anniversary Flag Raising Ceremony and Proclamation, County Hall, Trowbridge ?

b)    Acknowledgement of Service

 

The Council acknowledged the service of previous Members. The following Members had not sought re-election on 1 May 2025:

 

·         David Bowler 

·         Richard Britton

·         Steve Bucknell

·         Richard Budden

·         Mark Connolly 

·         Sarah Gibson MP

·         Peter Hutton

·         Tony Jackson 

·         Simon Jacobs 

·         Johnny Kidney

·         Dr Brian Mathew MP

·         Charles McGrath

·         Ian McLennan

·         Kelvin Nash

·         Andrew Oliver

·         Antonio Piazza

·         Horace Prickett

·         Tim Trimble

·         David Vigar

·         Derek Walters

·         Suzanne Wickham

 

The following Members were not returned following the elections on 1 May 2025:

 

·         Nick Botterill

·         Daniel Cave

·         Mary Champion

·         Sam Charleston

·         Caroline Corbin

·         Matthew Dean

·         Carole King

·         Edward Kirk

·         Robert MacNaughton

·         Dr Mark McClelland

·         Jack Oatley

·         Tony Pickernell

·         Nic Puntis

·         Pip Ridout

·         Tom Rounds

·         Jonathon Seed

·         Caroline Thomas

·         Mark Verbinnen

·         Iain Wallis

·         Robert Yuill

 

The Chairman thanked all previous Members for their hard work and service to their communities, in some cases over a great many years.

 

c)    New Members

 

The Chairman welcomed the election of new Members to the Council following the elections on 1 May 2025, as follows:

 

·         Keith Allen 

·         Kevin Asplin 

·         Jon Atkey 

·         Nick Baker 

·         Lainey Barker 

·         Boaz Barry 

·         Denise Bates 

·         Alan Bayliss 

·         Sam Blackwell 

·         Matt Bragg 

·         Chris Brautigam 

·         Phil Chamberlain 

·         Kymee Cleasby 

·         Gregory Cooper 

·         Martin Denz 

·         Andrew Griffin 

·         Alan Hagger 

·         Russell Hawker 

·         Maria Hoult 

·         Lianna Konig 

·         Dave Lumsden 

·         Andrew Matthews 

·         Gerry Murray 

·         Eunja Palmén

·         Mike Phillips 

·         Barry Pirie 

·         Ben Reed 

·         Ed Rimmer 

·         George Simmonds 

·         Robert Smith 

·         Charlie Stokes 

·         Chris Taylor 

·         Augusta Urquhart-Nicholls 

·         Chris Vaughan 

·         Julie Vine 

·         Eric Wakeman 

·         John Wells 

·         Jennie Westbrook 

·         Nigel White 

·         Peter Wragg 

·         Taylor Wright 

 

The Chairman also gave thanks to all officers, volunteers and candidates who participated in the elections, not only during the count but the months of preparatory work, particular from the Elections team.

To receive and note the Returning Officer’s report in respect of the Council’s elections held on 1 May 2025.

The Chairman formally thanked the Returning Officer, Lucy Townsend, along with all officers, volunteers and candidates who had participated in the elections on 1 May 2025..

 

A report was presented which gave the detailed results of those elections, and it was,

 

Resolved:

 

To note the election results from 1 May 2025.

To elect a Leader of the Council for the period 2025-2029. Nominations will be sought from those present at the meeting.

 

The Leader will then advise Council on the membership of their Cabinet.

The Chairman sought nominations for a Leader for 2025-29.

 

Cllr Ian Thorn was nominated by Cllr Mel Jacob, seconded by Cllr Gavin Grant.

 

Cllr Richard Clewer was nominated by Cllr Christopher Williams, seconded by Cllr Christopher Newbury.

 

In accordance with Paragraph 3.2 of Part 4 of the Constitution a secret ballot was requested by the requisite number of Members. Following that secret ballot it was,

 

Resolved:

 

To elect Cllr Ian Thorn as Leader of the Council for 2025-29.

 

The number of votes cast was as follows:

 

Cllr Ian Thorn:                       50 votes

Cllr Richard Clewer:             45 votes

Abstentions:                          2 votes

 

Announcement of Cabinet

 

Cllr Thorn, Leader of the Council, thanked Council for electing him. He paid tribute to the outgoing Leader, Cllr Clewer, for his work and passion during his term 2021-2025.

 

Cllr Thorn stated he was conscious of the electoral maths on the council, and that he wanted all councillors to work together to make a real difference for the people of Wiltshire. He also paid tribute to the council’s staff. Finally, he spoke of an employee for Calne Town Council named Dave who did litter picking and other work, and that if he showed half as much passion as Leader he was sure Wiltshire would be a success.

 

Cllr Thorn then announced the make up of his Cabinet, as follows:

 

·         Cllr Ian Thorn                        -          Leader of the Council

·         Cllr Mel Jacob                       -          Deputy Leader of the Council and

Cabinet Member for Communities, Engagement, and Corporate Services

·         Cllr Helen Belcher OBE      -           Cabinet Member for Economic

Development, Regeneration and Assets

·         Cllr Clare Cape                     -           Cabinet Member for Public Health

and Coordination with the NHS

·         Cllr Adrian Foster                 -           Cabinet Member for Strategic

Planning, Development Management, and Housing

·         Cllr Gavin Grant                   -           Cabinet Member for Finance

·         Cllr Jon Hubbard                  -           Cabinet Member for Children's

Services, Education, and Skills

·         Cllr Gordon King                  -           Cabinet Member for Adult Social

Care

·         Cllr Paul Sample JP            -           Cabinet Member for Environment,

Climate and Waste

·         Cllr Martin Smith                  -           Cabinet Member for Highways,

Streetscene, and Flooding

 

 

A break was then taken from 1220-1245.

a)    Appointment of Committees and Review of Allocation of Seats on Committees to Political Groups

 

b)    Appointment of Members to Committees, Area Boards, and other bodies

 

c)    Appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Committees

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Ian Thorn, moved a composite appointments motion as set out in the Summons and agenda supplement, with Option A for committee placements and delegating appointment of those chairmen and vice-chairmen of committees appointed by Full Council, to the Monitoring Officer following consultation with Group Leaders. The motion was seconded by Cllr Mel Jacob.

 

It was then,

 

Resolved:

 

The Council is asked:?

 

a)    To note the reports and the legal requirements.?

 

b)    To re-appoint the following committees with the terms of reference as set out in the Constitution:?

 

•           Strategic Planning Committee?

•           Area Planning Committees: Northern, Eastern, Southern and Western?

•           Licensing Committee?

•           Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee?

•           Children’s Select Committee?

•           Environment Select Committee?

•           Health Select Committee?

•           Standards Committee?

•           Audit and Governance Committee?

•           Staffing Policy Committee?

•           Officer Appointments Committee?

•           Electoral Review Committee?

•           Appeals Committee?

•           Wiltshire Police and Crime Panel (joint with Swindon Borough Council)?

•           Wiltshire Pension Fund Committee (joint with Swindon Borough Council)?

•           Health and Wellbeing Board?

 

c)    To approve a scheme of committee places which sets out the number of seats available to members of the Council and to political groups as at Option A Appendix 3.

 

?d)    To delegate appointment of Members to serve on those committees in accordance with the agreed scheme of allocations, until the next occasion membership is reviewed under the provisions of the Local Government & Housing Act 1989, to the Monitoring Officer in accordance with the wishes of group leaders.?

 

e)    To delegate appointment of substitute members in accordance with the constitution to the committees referred to in (b) above, to the Monitoring Officer in accordance with the wishes of group leaders.?

?

f)     To re-appoint those Area Boards, as set out at Appendix 1 of the report presented and within the Constitution, to comprise the Unitary Members for that area. ?

 

g)   To appoint those Members representing electoral divisions to their respective Area Boards as set out at Appendix 1.?

 

h)   To delegate the appointment to Outside Bodies (other than those appointed by Leader of the Council or Area Boards) to the Director, Legal and Governance, in consultation with Group Leaders?

 

i)     To delegate appointment of up to four non-voting co-opted members of the Standards Committee for the council term to the Director, Legal and Governance, in consultation with the Chairman of the Standards Committee?

 

j)     To delegate appointment of up to three Independent Persons for the remainder of the council term to the Director, Legal and Governance, in consultation with the Chairman of the Standards Committee.?

 

k)    To delegate appointment of an Independent Remuneration Panel to the Director, Legal and Governance, in consultation with Group Leaders.?

 

l)     To delegate the appointment of any co-opted members of the Children’s Select Committee to that Committee.?

 

m)  To note the following co-opted members of the Wiltshire Pension Fund Committee:?

 

·         Cllr Vijay Manro – Swindon Borough Council

·         Cllr Kevin Small – Swindon Borough Council

·         Claire Anthony – Employer Representative  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public.

 

Statements

If you would like to make a statement at this meeting on any item on this agenda, please register to do so at least 10 minutes prior to the meeting. Members of the public are encouraged to register to speak earlier.

 

Up to 3 speakers are permitted to speak for up to 3 minutes each on any agenda item. Statements must be relevant to the agenda item.

 

Questions

To receive any questions from members of the public received in accordance with the constitution. No person or organisation may submit more than two questions to the meeting. No question may be sub-divided into more than two related parts.

 

Those wishing to ask questions are required to give notice of any such questions in writing to the officer named above (acting on behalf of the Proper Officer) no later than 5pm on 13 May 2025 in order to be guaranteed of a written response. Questions submitted no later than 5pm on 15 May 2025may receive a verbal response. Questions may be asked without notice if the Chairman decides that the matter is urgent.

 

Details of any questions received will be circulated to Members prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website.

 

Please contact the officer named on the first page of this agenda for further advice.

 

Petitions

 

To receive presentation of any petitions submitted for the meeting

 

To receive an update on any petitions received by the council since the last meeting.

 

 

The Chairman provided details on procedure for public participation.

 

Questions were received from Chris Caswill, as set out in the agenda supplement. He asked a supplementary question relating to the level of uncontested parish elections, and what the Leader might be able to do to address this.

 

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of the Council, stated he was concerned by the high level of uncontested elections, and although the council could only play a small part directly, he said there was a need to do more to enthuse people to improve turnout and promote engagement.

 

Chris Caswill asked a further supplementary question regarding how to make the council more public friendly and restore trust, and regarding the council’s select committees which he felt were too engaged in promoting the council’s agenda rather than a check on the power of the executive. Cllr Thorn stated his manifesto sought among other things to revitalise Area Boards and devolve power from County Hall where possible as part of restoring trust, and welcomed any proposals on how to do so.

Questions were also received from Andrew Nicolson, Wiltshire Climate Alliance. He asked a supplementary question regarding an LGA consultation on climate change responsibilities and would the council be responding.

 

Cllr Paul Sample JP, Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate, and Waste stated he was aware of the deadline for a response and would work with officers. He said he looked forward to working further with the Climate Alliance on this important issue.

 

Andrew Nicolson asked a further supplementary question regarding Area Board environment leads and potential training for those leads.

 

Cllr Sample responded that he would write to Area Board Chairmen to request they appoint environment leads.

 

The Chairman then moved that the council note petitions which had been received since the last meeting

 

Resolved:

 

To note the update on petitions.

To receive and note annual reports or updates regarding the following committees:

 

·       Overview and Scrutiny (including the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, Children’s Select Committee, Environment Select Committee, Health Select Committee)

·       Audit and Governance Committee

·       Electoral Review Committee

·       Health and Wellbeing Board

·       Licensing Committee

·       Staffing Policy Committee

·       Standards Committee

·       Wiltshire Pension Fund Committee

·       Wiltshire Police and Crime Panel

The Chairman introduced a series of annual updates from council committees as set out in the Summons. She moved that the updates be noted, which was seconded by the Vice-Chairman.

 

Previous Chairmen of the committees were given the opportunity to comment.

 

Cllr Graham Wright, previously Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, welcomed the update and drew attention to the detailed report.

 

Cllr Jon Hubbard, previously Chairman of the Children’s Select Committee, thanked Members for allowing him to serve as Chairman for a long time, and welcomed being held to account by it in his new role on the Cabinet.

 

Cllr Jerry Kunkler, previously Chairman of the Environment Select Committee, wished the next Chairman of the committee all the best.

 

Cllr Paul Oatway QPM, previously Chairman of the Standards Committee, paid tribute to the staff supporting committee, particularly relating to complaints.

 

A public statement was then received from Andrew Nicolson, Wiltshire Climate Alliance, highlighting significant work still required to address the climate emergency, and inviting Members to attend the climate summit being held on 20-21 June 2025.

 

Group Leaders were given the opportunity to comment on the updates, and following opportunity for debate, the meeting moved immediately to the vote, and it was,

 

Resolved:

 

To note the updates from committees.

To receive a report from the Director - Legal and Governance.

The Chairman invited Cllr Graham Wright, Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee for the outgoing council, to introduce the report. Cllr Wright provided details of the statutory function of overview and scrutiny, and that there had been discussion around adopting a new structure to include a dedicated Finance and Procurement Select Committee. This would be in place of a standing Financial Planning Task Group, which had undertaken significant and robust work examining the council’s finances. He paid tribute to former Cllr Pip Ridout, who had chaired the Task Group over many years.

 

Cllr Wright explained the Management Committee had endorsed creation of a new select committee at its meeting on 13 March 2025, and requested Full Council’s approval.

 

Cllr Gavin Grant, Cabinet Member for Finance, seconded the motion as set out in the report.

 

The Chairman invited comments from Group Leaders.

 

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of the Council, welcomed the establishment of the new select committee, noting the importance of monitoring financial performance. He endorsed Cllr Wright’s comments regarding the outgoing Chairman of the Financial Planning Task Group, Pip Ridout.

 

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Conservative Group, supported the proposal, considering a dedicated financial scrutiny committee to be an improvement. Cllr Ed Rimmer, Leader of the ReformUK Group, welcomed the proposal, stating financial scrutiny would be key. Cllr Ernie Clark, Leader of the Independent Group, and Cllr Ricky Rogers, Leader of the Salisbury Independent and Labour Group, also supported the proposal.

 

The item was then opened for debate.

 

The importance of holding the Cabinet to account through overview and scrutiny was raised, along with praise for former Cllr Ridout’s work leading to the proposed new structure. In response to queries it was confirmed council would be approving the principle of the new committee, with constitutional and other details to be approved at the meeting in July 2025.

 

It was then,

 

Resolved:

 

That Council:?

?

1)    Authorises the Director of Legal & Governance to make arrangements for the Overview and Scrutiny committee structure set out at Appendix 2 to be implemented, taking into account the comments of Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee set out at Paragraph 18 of the report.?

 

2)    Authorises the Director of Legal & Governance to draft the necessary amendments to the Constitution, to be considered by the Constitution Focus Group and Standards Committee, prior to approval and implementation of the new structure by Full Council on 22 July 2025.

To receive any other appropriate announcments from the Leader, Cabinet Members, or Chairs of Committees.

The following announcements were received:

 

Cllr Jon Hubbard, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education, and Skills, reminded the meeting that all Members were corporate parents to the over 400 children and young people in the care of the council, and responsible for their wellbeing.

 

Cllr Laura Mayes, Chairman of the Council, thanked council for electing her. She noted she had been Cabinet Member for Children’s Services for 12 years, praising the outstanding work of officers, and welcoming Cllr Hubbard in taking on that role. She urged Members to remember to be kind, respectful, and dignified, as well as succinct where possible.

 

It was also noted there had been no urgent executive decisions taken in the last year.

Members were required to give notice of any questions in writing to the Proper Officer on the first page of this agenda no later than 5pm nine clear working days before the meeting in order to be guaranteed a written response.

 

Any question received after 5pm on 6 May 2025 and no later than 5pm four clear working days before the meeting 13 May 2025, may only receive a verbal response at the meeting. Any questions received after this date will be received at the next meeting.

 

Questions may be asked without notice if the Chairman determines the matter is urgent.

 

Details of any questions received will be circulated to Members prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website.

 

No questions were submitted.