Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Charter Trustees.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Julie Bagwell, John Challinor, Adrian Chapmanlaw, Peter Cooper, Millie Earl and Peter Sidaway.

Charter Trustees are requested to declare any interests on items included in this agenda. Please refer to the workflow on the preceding page for guidance.

Declarations received will be reported at the meeting.

None.

The Mayor will update Trustees on their recent activities and any associated issues.

The Mayor reflected on his Mayoral year and in doing so thanked the Charter Trustees, his companion Katie and daughter Iris, the Sheriff and Deputy Mayor and the Civic team for their support.

The Mayor highlighted his efforts throughout his Mayoral term to raise the profile of the Mayoralty, and activities of note included the D-Day 80^th Anniversary commemorative events (with thanks to the Poole Harbourmaster), the Beating of the Sea Bounds, various events at the Lighthouse, regalia talks, a trip to Cherbourg for VE Day 80^th Anniversary celebrations, and regular visits to older residents, nursing homes and schools.

The Mayor highlighted the importance of continuing and increasing support to veterans, community and volunteer groups, as well as focussing on children, confirming his admiration for those who supported and cared for children with significant and complex needs, as well as teachers, volunteers, and the children themselves.

The Mayor concluded by wishing his successor success in the year ahead.

The Charter Trustees are asked to elect the Mayor for 2025-26.

Councillor Pete Miles proposed Councillor Mark Howell for Mayor of Poole for the municipal year 2025/26. This was seconded by Councillor Tony Trent, put to the vote and unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Mark Howell be elected Mayor of Poole for 2025/26.

Voting: Unanimous.

The Charter Trustees are asked to elect the Deputy Mayor for 2025-26.

Councillor Brian Hitchcock proposed Councillor Pete Miles for Deputy Mayor of Poole for the municipal year 2025/26. This was seconded by Councillor Felicity Rice, put to the vote and unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Pete Miles be elected Deputy Mayor of Poole for 2025/26.

The Deputy Mayor confirmed Katie Cousins as Deputy Mayoress for 2025/26.

Voting: Unanimous.

The Charter Trustees are asked to elect the Sheriff for 2025-26.

Councillor Phillip Broadhead proposed Councillor Karen Rampton for Sheriff of Poole for the municipal year 2025/26. This was seconded by Councillor Judes Butt, put to the vote and unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Karen Rampton be elected Sheriff of Poole for 2025/26.

Councillor Rampton confirmed John Rampton as her Sheriff’s Consort for 2025/26.

Voting: Unanimous.

The Charter Trustees are asked to appoint two Trustees to act as budget signatories for 2025/26.

Nominations were sought for the appointment of two budget signatories for the municipal year 2025/26. Councillor Tony Trent proposed Councillor Peter Cooper and Councillor David Brown. The nominations were seconded, put to the vote and unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor David Brown and Councillor Peter Cooper be appointed as budget signatories for 2025/26.

Voting: Unanimous.

The Charter Trustees are asked to appoint a Trustee to undertake Bank Statement Verifications.

Nominations were sought for the appointment of a Charter Trustee to undertake Bank Statement Verifications for the municipal year 2025/26. Councillor X proposed Councillor John Challinor for the role. This was seconded, put to the vote and unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor John Challinor be appointed as the Charter Trustee to undertake bank statement verifications for 2025/26.

Voting: Unanimous.

The Charter Trustees are asked to make the above appointments to the Association for Charter Trustee Towns (ACTT).

Nominations were sought for the appointment of one representative and one substitute to the Association for Charter Trustee Towns (ACTT) for the municipal year 2025/26. Councillor X proposed Councillor Tony Trent and Councillor Karen Rampton for the roles. The nominations were seconded, put to the vote and unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Tony Trent and Councillor Karen Rampton be appointed as representative and substitute to the Association for Charter Trustee Towns (ACTT) for 2025/26.

Voting: Unanimous.

Membership of the Civic Working Group shall consist of up to ten members, comprising of:

o   Mayor;

o   Deputy Mayor;

o   Sheriff;

o   Two budget signatories;

o   Five volunteer Charter Trustees to be selected by voting of the Charter Trustees.

The five volunteer members for 2024/25 were Councillors Aitkenhead; Andrews, LePoidevin, Trent and Wright.

It is requested that five volunteer members be sought and approved in addition to the five appointed members.

Nominations were sought for volunteer appointments to the Civic Working Group for the municipal year 2025/26.

RESOLVED: That Councillors Sue Aitkenhead, Marcus Andrews, Marion LePoidevin and Tony Trent and be appointed as members of the Poole Civic Working Group for 2025/26.

Voting: Unanimous.

The Charter Trustees are asked to consider the scheduling of meetings for 2025-26 in accordance with the Standing Orders and agree the dates as detailed below. All meetings are to be held at 6pm.

Wednesday 25 June 2025

Tuesday 21 October 2025

Wednesday 21 January 2026

Wednesday 20 May 2026

Consideration was given to the proposed dates and times for Charter Trustee meetings in the municipal year 2025/26, and it was:

RESOLVED: That the proposed meeting dates for 2025/26 be approved as follows:

(all meetings to begin at 6pm unless otherwise stated)

Wednesday 25 June 2025

Tuesday 21 October 2025

Wednesday 21 January 2026

Wednesday 20 May 2026 (11am)

Voting: Unanimous.