No disclosures were received.

The Chairman, Cllr. Cheryl Cashmore made announcements in respect of the following:

·         Attended many Spring, Summer and Christmas events over the 12 months of being Chairman.

·         The Chairman was pleased that her final event of the year was a litter pick with Council staff on 15 May 2024, where 21 bags of litter were collected by 17 people in just 75 minutes. The Chair spoke about volunteering as a regular litter picker with the South Leicestershire Litter Wombles.

·         The Chairman thanked the Senior PA and colleagues for their support in managing the Chairman’s events, and announced that £2,900 was raised on behalf of her nominated Charity, Leicester Animal Aid.

·         The Chairman thanked the Democratic Services Team and Monitoring Officer as well as her friends and Husband for their support over the last 12 months.

The Leader, Cllr. Terry Richardson thanked the Chairman for going above and beyond in her role as Chairman of the Council.

The outgoing Chairman Cllr. Cheryl Cashmore invited nominations for the election of Chairman of Blaby District Council for the ensuing year.

Cllr. Nick Chapman read out the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and thanked Members for the privilege and honour of being elected as Chairman.

Members congratulated Cllr. Nick Chapman on being elected Chairman of the Council.

 Cllr. Nick Chapman was invested with the Chain of Office for the Chairman of the Council.

The new Chairman thanked all Members for electing him as Chairman, and expressed that it is an honour to represent Blaby District Council, he also announced his partner Beverley Greenwood as his Consort for the year ahead.

The Chairman announced that his nominated Charity is the Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance. The Chairman explained the air ambulance relies on donations for its funding and costs £2,300 for every mission. The Chairman’s aim is to raise enough funds to pay for one of those missions.

The Chairman expressed what an honour it has been to be the Vice-Chairman to Cllr. Cheryl Cashmore over the past year and to see the hard work she has put into promoting the Council.

Cllr. Nick Chapman presented Cllr. Cheryl Cashmore with the past Chairman’s Badge and on behalf of the Council thanked her for her successful year in Office.

The Chairman of the Council invited nominations for the Vice-Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.

Cllr. Janet Forey was duly nominated in her absence.

As Cllr. Janet Forey was unable to attend the meeting, the declaration would be signed at a later date.

There are no minutes to consider.

There were no minutes to consider.

To consider the Leader’s Annual Statement (To follow).

Cllr. Stuart Coar left and returned to the meeting during this item.

Cllr. Terry Richardson, Leader of the Council, presented his Statement and highlighted that he was proud of this year’s achievements, in particular:

·         Providing affordable housing for the vulnerable, and removing residents from temporary accommodation.

·         Saying goodbye to old friends, including Geoff Welsh who resigned as an elected Member in 2023.

Cllr. Ben Taylor expressed that he is proud of the Council’s achievement in hosting the Armed Forces Coffee Mornings. Supported by the Armed Forces Champion, Cllr. Mark Jackson, the Coffee Mornings have grown in 2 years from 15 attendees to 40, and the Council has determined to show its support to armed forces veterans.

To consider the report of the Scrutiny Commissioners (To follow).

The Scrutiny Commission Chairman, Cllr Nick Brown presented the Scrutiny Statement.

The Scrutiny Commission Chairman thanked Cllr. Roy Denney for his support in his role as Vice-Chairman.

The Scrutiny Commission Vice-Chairman, Cllr. Roy Denney thanked Cllr. Nick Brown for his support over the last 12 months.

To consider the report of the Audit and Corporate Governance Committee Chairman (enclosed).

The Audit & Corporate Governance Committee Chairman, Cllr. Mark Jackson  presented the Annual Report.

Under Part 4, Section 1, Paragraph 13 of the Council’s Constitution, the Chairman, Cllr. Nick Chapman, moved that Agenda Item 14, Appointments of Chairman and Vice – Chairman be considered before Item 12.

To consider the report of the Senior Democratic Services & Scrutiny Officer (enclosed).

Considered – Report of the Senior Democratic Services & Scrutiny Officer.

As 2 nominations had been received for the role of Chairman of Scrutiny Commission, the Chairman took the vote by a show of hands.

Cllr. Nick Brown was duly elected.

As 3 nominations had been received for the role of Vice-Chairman of Scrutiny Commission, the Chairman took the vote by a show of hands.

Cllr. Neil Wright was duly elected.

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council (enclosed).

Considered – Report of the Senior Democratic Services & Scrutiny Officer.

To consider the report of the Senior Democratic Services & Scrutiny Officer (enclosed).

Considered – Report of the Senior Democratic Services & Scrutiny Officer.

To consider the report of the Senior Democratic Services & Scrutiny Officer (enclosed).

Considered – Report of the Senior Democratic Services & Scrutiny Officer.

To consider the report of the Senior Democratic Services & Scrutiny Officer (enclosed).

Considered – Report of the Senior Democratic Services & Scrutiny Officer.

Requests received by the Protocol deadline to be reported by the Monitoring Officer with details of the Agenda Item to which they relate. (Such persons entitled to use the Protocol attend for the purpose of making representations, answering questions or giving evidence relating to the business of the meeting and the time allocated to each person is a maximum of three minutes unless extended at the discretion of the Chairman).

No requests were received.

Any Members wishing to submit questions must do so to the Monitoring Officer no later than 5 working days before the meeting.

The Monitoring Officer will report if any questions have been submitted.

No questions were received.