To notify the Chairman of any items that appear later in the agenda in which you may have an interest.

No declarations of interest were received.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on

The Minutes of the meetings held on 24^th February, 2006 and 30^th March, 2006 were confirmed as correct records and signed by the Mayor.

The Mayor reported that since the last meeting he had attended 34 functions and events including the licensing of Reverend Rupert Kalus to the Benefice of St. John’s Shildon, a presentation of a cheque to Sunnydale Comprehensive School as a result of the Christmas Tree Recycling Scheme, Spennymoor School’s Swimming Festival at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre and a presentation to the Bowls Club at Ferryhill Leisure Centre.

He had also presented “Apprentice of the Year” Awards at Council Offices,  Shildon Flower Club Exhibition at Locomotion Museum, a Charity Coffee Morning at St. Mary’s RC Church, Newton Aycliffe to raise funds for the Mayor’s Charity, Yellow Woods Challenge Schools Prize Giving at Butterwick Hospice and the official opening of Scott Place Play Area, Newton Aycliffe.

The Mayor also reported that he had attended ten Golden Wedding and three Diamond Wedding celebrations, together with a number of Charity Evenings and Civic Dinners.

Reference was also made to the Council’s Civic Ball which had been held at Spennymoor Leisure Centre which had raised approximately £1,300 for his chosen charities, the Great North Air Ambulance and South Cleveland Heart Fund.

Report of Chief Executive Officer

Consideration was given to a report of the Chief Executive Officer (for copy see file of Minutes) dealing with a review of the Constitution for the purpose of Article 15 of the Constitution.

It was explained that the recommendations in the report were based on advice from the Council’s Monitoring Officer and following meetings of the Constitutional Review Group reflected those areas where it was considered appropriate to make some further changes.

The proposed changes were as follows :-

(a)       On advice of the Council’s Monitoring Officer, to amend Part 4 - Rules of Procedure.  B.  Access to Information Procedure Rules, to take account of the changes coming into effect from the 1st March 2006 under the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006 and related regulations. 

(b)       Proposals to establish an Audit Committee would be the subject of a separate report to Annual Council.

(c)       Officer delegations amendment: from the Director of Neighbourhood Services/Inspection and Licensing Services Manager  - update to authorised officers NS 64

RESOLVED :         That Council approve the amendments set out in the Appendix to the report and directs the Monitoring Officer to :-

                                 (a)    amend the Constitution accordingly and make all necessary and consequential amendments, and

                                 (b)    publish an amended version on the Council’s website.     

Report of Chief Executive Officer

Consideration was given to a report of the Chief Executive Officer (for copy see file of Minutes) regarding Royal Garden Parties to be held at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday 11^th July, 2006, Tuesday 18^th July, 2006 and Thursday 20^th July, 2006.

The report set out details of the criteria for persons eligible to attend.

It was explained that it was the Queen’s wish that those invited should be drawn from as wide a range as possible and from persons who had not previously attended a Royal Party.

It was explained that it was normal practice for the Mayor Elect and Partner to be appointed to attend one of the Royal Garden Parties but as Councillor Mrs.Hovvels had previously attended a Royal Garden Party, it was appropriate, in this instance, for the Leader of the Council to attend as Civic Head.

Expressions of interest had been sought from Members to take up the remaining two places.  Following a draw Councillor Howe and partner were selected.

RESOLVED :            That the Leader of the Council and partner and Councillor G.M.R. Howe and partner be appointed to attend one of the Royal Garden Parties.