Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Charter Trustees.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors H Allen, L Allison,

M Andrews, D Brown, S Bull, B Dunlop, M Iyengar, L Lewis, D Mellor,

K Rampton and K Wilson.

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.

The Honorary Clerk reported that no declarations of interest had been received for this meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 24 October 2022 and to consider any matters arising.

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 October 2022 were confirmed as a correct record.

The Charter Mayor will report on his recent activities and any associated issues.

The Mayor reported that he had carried out over 60 engagements since the last meeting, including:

·       Visiting residents celebrating their 100^th birthdays;

·       Visiting the Coastguard Station at Hengistbury Head;

·       Black History Month events;

·       A fundraising event for a child with Cerebral Palsy;

·       Remembrance events;

Christmas Day with the Salvation Army in Boscombe.

This report summarises the issues discussed at the Civic Working Group held on 19 December 2022, and seeks support for any recommendations arising.

The Deputy Mayor presented a report summarising the issues discussed at the Civic Working Group held on 19 December 2022.

The £10k budget allocation for Coronation events was confirmed, as set out within Item 6 of the agenda. It was agreed that the use of this budget be delegated to the Working Group.

Regarding the requested joint meeting of BCP, Bournemouth and Poole to discuss the engagement matrix, Trustees were informed that this had taken place on 20 January 2023 and that further information would be provided in due course.

In response to a query on the display of past Charter Mayors in the BCP Civic Centre, Trustees were advised that the displays would be put in place following completion of ongoing building works.

Cllr Filer reiterated her thanks to the Civic Team for providing a great service to the Civic Dignitaries.

RESOLVED:

a)    That The Civic Working Group be delegated authority to agree a programme of events and expenditure from within the allocated £10k budget.

Voting: Unanimous

The Charter Trustees are required to set their 2023/24 budget, council tax requirement and resultant precept for submission to BCP Council by 31 January 2023.

The Responsible Financial Officer presented a Budget and Precept report.

Trustees were advised that, due to an underspend of the 2022/23 Budget and an increased investment from unspent Reserves, the £10,000 allocated for the Coronation was to be met from Reserves.

It was confirmed that, following an increase in the number of tax base properties, the Council Tax charge to residents had been reduced by 1.8% on a Band D property.

Cllr M Anderson congratulated officers for their efforts in securing a reduction in the Council Tax as part of the budget.

RESOLVED: that

a)    The proposed budget for 2023/24 as set out in Appendix A be approved;

b)    The council tax requirement and precept of £147,091 be approved.

Voting:  Unanimous

This report provides an opportunity for Charter Trustees to review the register attached as Appendix 1 to the report, taking account of new and emerging risks.

The Deputy Head of Democratic Services presented a report detailing the annual review of the Risk Register for the Charter Trustees of Bournemouth.

Reduced risks regarding historical and ceremonial assets, transmission of the covid-19 infection, and the Charter budget, were highlighted.

Trustees suggested that many of the ceremonial and historical assets were suitable for display, and it was agreed that officers would provide further information on this to the Civic Working Group.

RESOLVED: that the risk register, as attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

Voting: Unanimous

To advise Charter Trustees of the appointment to the position of Mayor of Bournemouth for the year 2023/24, and subsequent Deputy Mayor of Bournemouth for the year 2024/25.

The Deputy Head of Democratic Services confirmed the appointment of Councillor Roberto Rocca as the Mayor of Bournemouth for 2023/24, and subsequent Deputy Mayor of Bournemouth for 2024/25.

Councillor Rocca indicated that he was immensely proud and felt privileged to accept the nomination.