Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Paul Abbey, Jon Askew, Chris Blow, Colin Cross, Guida Esteves, Graham Eyre, Angela Goodwin, David Goodwin, Angela Gunning, Liz Hogger, Steven Lee, Ann McShee, Bob McShee, Ramsey Nagaty, Susan Parker, Jo Randall, John Rigg, Tony Rooth, Will Salmon, James Steel, Cait Taylor, James Walsh, Fiona White, Keith Witham, and Catherine Young, and also from Honorary Freeman Jen Powell, and Honorary Aldermen Keith Childs, Catherine Cobley, Terence Patrick, Tony Phillips, and Lynda Strudwick.

To receive and note any disclosable pecuniary interests from councillors. In accordance with the local Code of Conduct, a councillor is required to disclose at the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) that they may have in respect of any matter for consideration on this agenda.  Any councillor with a DPI must not participate in any discussion or vote regarding that matter and they must also withdraw from the meeting immediately before consideration of the matter.

If that DPI has not been registered, the councillor must notify the Monitoring Officer of the details of the DPI within 28 days of the date of the meeting.

Councillors are further invited to disclose any non-pecuniary interest which may be relevant to any matter on this agenda, in the interests of transparency, and to confirm that it will not affect their objectivity in relation to that matter.

There were no disclosures of interest.

To confirm the minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 11 October 2022.

The Council confirmed, as a correct record, the minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 11 October 2022. The Mayor signed the minutes.

To receive any communications or announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor thanked all the councillors and Honorary Aldermen who responded to his appeal for volunteer poppy sellers and was pleased to announce that the total raised for the Royal British Legion in central Guildford this year was £15,000.

The Mayor also thanked those who had attended and supported his charity ‘Call my Wine Bluff’ event on 19 November. The event had been a great success and had raised almost £4,000 for the Mayor’s charities.

To receive the report of the Returning Officer upon the election of a Borough Councillor for the Tillingbourne ward held on Thursday 20 October 2022.

The Council received and noted the Returning Officer's Report on the outcome of the Tillingbourne Ward By-Election held on 20 October 2022, which was set out in the agenda.  The Mayor congratulated Councillor Richard Morris on his election and welcomed him to his first Council meeting.

Following its decision taken on 11 October 2022, the Council is invited to consider and, if deemed appropriate, to pass the following resolution under the provisions of Section 249 (5) of the Local Government Act 1972:

"That the title of Honorary Freeman be conferred upon Mr Keith Geoffrey Churchouse in recognition of the distinguished and eminent service he has rendered to the Borough of Guildford.”

(NB. In order to take effect, Section 249 (5) of the 1972 Act requires the above draft resolution to be passed by no less than two-thirds of the councillors voting thereon at a meeting of the Council specially convened for the purpose.)

Keith Churchouse moved to Guildford as a child and has run his own Financial Planning business in Guildford for around 20 years.  He attended George Abbot School from 1979-1985.

Mr Churchouse has been involved in many aspects of the town including, but not limited to, the following:

·       Chair of Guildford Business Forum (2011-2014)

·       President Guildford Branch Surrey Chamber of Commerce

·       Founding Director of Experience Guildford (the Guildford Business Improvement District)

·       Trustee (2011-2014), and Chair (2013-2014) of Guildford Shakespeare Company

·       Trustee, Chair and Treasurer of Headway Surrey (2013-2020)

·       Sponsor of Lions Club Charity Firework event since 2017

·       Supporter of Guildford in Bloom with his company Chapters providing sponsorship, advice and a prize

·       Supporter and adviser to Guildford Shakespeare Company, the Guildford Sea Cadets and Headway Surrey

·       Sponsor and promoter of the Guildford Town Centre Cycle Races

Mr Churchouse continues to be actively, and selflessly, involved in charity work, including:

·       Child Poverty and Hunger as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic

·       Continuing involvement with Headway Surrey

·       Fundraising for Seafarers UK in Guildford

·       Involvement in Theatre and the Arts including Guildford Fringe and Guildford Shakespeare Company

·       Mr Churchouse suffers from Spina Bifida but still entered the Great South Run (10 miles) to raise money for SHINE (the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus charity)

Upon the motion of Councillor John Redpath, seconded by Councillor Paul Spooner, the Council unanimously

RESOLVED: That, pursuant to the provisions of Section 249(5) of the Local Government Act 1972, the title of Honorary Freeman be conferred upon Keith Geoffrey Churchouse in recognition of the distinguished and eminent service he has rendered to the Borough of Guildford.