Agenda and minutes

Prayers were offered by the Mayor’s Chaplain.

On the motion of Councillor B Sleigh OBE, seconded by Councillor Pinwell, it was:

  RESOLVED:

That Councillor Diana Holl-Allen MBE be Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull for the year 2023/2024.

(Councillor Mrs Holl-Allen made and subscribed before the Acting Chief Executive, the Declaration of Office.)

The Mayor to express her thanks to the Council for her election and address the Council on her proposal for her year of office.

The Mayor expressed his thanks to the Council for his re-election. He also addressed Council on the forthcoming municipal year.

The Mayor to invest the Mayors Consort with his badge and chain.

The Mayor invested her partner Mr John Courtenay as her consort and presented Mr Courtenay with his badge and chain.

To appoint a deputy Mayor for the municipal year.

On the motion of Councillor Grinsell, seconded by Councillor Courts it was:

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Ken Meeson be Deputy Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull for the year 2023/2024

The Council to express to the retiring Mayor appreciation of the service he has rendered to the Borough during his term of office.

On the motion of Councillor Grinsell, seconded by Councillor Courts it was:

RESOLVED

(i) That the Metropolitan Borough Council place on record their great admiration of the able and devoted manner in which Councillor

Ken Meeson carried out the exacting duties of the Office of Mayor of

Solihull during the years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 and convey to him on behalf of the people of Solihull appreciation of his services;

(ii) That the grateful thanks of the Metropolitan Borough Council be

recorded for Mrs Meeson’s untiring efforts and for her unfailing

support of the Mayor as Mayoress; and

(iii) That an illuminated copy of this resolution sealed with the

Common Seal of the Council be presented to the retiring Mayor.

The Mayor to announce the appointment of the Mayor’s Chaplain.

The Mayor confirmed that Revd Geoff Lanham would act as the Mayor’s Chaplin.

The Acting Chief Executive to submit his report as Returning Officer on the elections held on 5 May 2023.

The Acting Chief Executive, as Acting Returning Officer, presented his report for the elections held on 4 May 2023.

RESOLVED:

That the Acting Returning Officers report for the election held on 4 May 2023 be received.

The Acting Chief Executive to advise Council of the Membership of political groups on the Council following the 2023 elections.

The Acting Chief Executive presented a report on the membership of political groups on the Council following the 2023 local elections.

RESOLVED:

That in accordance with the Local Government (Committee and Political Groups) Regulations 1990 the membership of political groups on the Council following the 2023 local elections be noted.

The Council needs to elect a Leader of the Council for a period of four years up to 2027.

Council was invited to elect a Leader of the Council for a four year period up to 2027.

  RESOLVED

  That Councillor I Courts be appointed Leader of the Council for 2023-2027.

The Leader of the Council to advise Council of the number and Members to be appointed to the Cabinet in addition to the Leader of the Council, and the names of the Cabinet Portfolios.

The Leader of the Council informed Council that the Cabinet would comprise of the following Members:

·  Councillor Ian Courts – Leader of the Council, Lead Member for Business and the Economy;

·  Councillor Karen Grinsell – Deputy Leader of the Council, Lead Member for Wellbeing, Skills and Inclusion;

·  Councillor Ken Hawkins – Environment and Infrastructure Portfolio;

·  Councillor Bob Sleigh OBE – Resources Portfolio;

·  Councillor Wasim Qais – Communities and Leisure Portfolio;

·  Councillor Michael Gough – Children and Education Portfolio;

·  Councillor Tony Dicicco – Adult Social Care and Health Portfolio; 

·  Councillor Any Mackiewicz – Climate Change and Planning Portfolio; and

·  Councillor Mark Parker – Housing Portfolio

To determine the numbers of seats and the terms of reference of Boards, Committees and Sub-Committees and having regard to the wishes of the

political groups in accordance with the Local Government Act 1989 to make

appointments thereto including the appointment of church and parent governor representatives to the Scrutiny Board dealing with Education issues, the Independent Members on the Audit and Remuneration Committees and external partners on the Solihull Health and Wellbeing Board.

The Acting Chief Executive informed Council of the proposed Boards, Committees, Sub-Committees and Advisory Group to be appointed for the 2023 to 2024 Municipal Year, as follows:

Scrutiny Boards

Resources and Delivering Value Scrutiny Board

Children’s Services, Education and Skills Scrutiny Board

Economic Development and Managed Growth Scrutiny Board

Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Board

Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Stronger Communities and Neighbourhood Services Scrutiny Board

Committees, Sub-Committees and Advisory Group

Governance Committee

Planning Committee

Remuneration Committee

Licensing Committee

Licensing Sub-Committee

Audit Committee

HS2 Implementation Advisory Group

Solihull Health and Wellbeing Board

  RESOLVED

(i)  That the Boards, Committees, Sub-Committees and HS2 Implementation Advisory Group referred to above be approved for the 2023/2024 municipal year; and

(ii)  That having regard to the wishes of representatives of the political groups in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 the seats on Boards, Committees, Sub-committees and Advisory Group be allocated to Members as set out in the tabled document and in light of the decisions just made.

To appoint representatives to Outside Bodies.

Council was invited to make appointments to Outside Bodies.

RESOLVED:

That the appointments to all Outside Bodies be approved as set out in the attached document to the minutes.