Agenda and minutes

As a Convener had not yet been appointed, the Chief Executive chaired the beginning of the meeting, welcoming everyone and advising that the public business of the meeting was being livestreamed for public view and also recorded.  By participating in the meeting, attendees have given consent for this.  The recording would be available through the link to the event livestream on the Council website for public viewing for 180 days afterwards.  The recording would then be automatically deleted after this time.  Everyone was reminded that the Council did not allow any other recording of the meeting than this one.

Consider appointment of Convener.

The Council considered the appointment of the Convener.  Councillor Mountford, seconded by Councillor Marshall, moved that Councillor McAteer be appointed as Convener.  Councillor Thornton-Nicol, seconded by Councillor M. Douglas, moved that Councillor Moffat be appointed as Convener.  There being two nominations, Standing Orders required that the vote be taken by secret ballot, which given that the meeting was being conducted via Microsoft Teams required all Members to email their choice to the Clerk to the Council.  The Clerk then transcribed those choices onto 34 pieces of paper and these were counted in full view of all those present and viewing the meeting. The result of the ballot was as follows:-

Councillor McAteer -   21 votes

Councillor Moffat -      10 votes

Abstentions -               3

Councillor McAteer was duly appointed.

DECISION

DECIDED that Councillor McAteer be appointed as Convener of the Scottish Borders Council.

CHAIR

Following his appointment as Convener, Councillor McAteer assumed the chair for the remainder of the meeting.

Consider appointment of Leader.

The Council considered the appointment of the Leader.  Councillor Parker, seconded by Councillor S. Hamilton, moved that Councillor Jardine be appointed as Leader.  Councillor Moffat, seconded by Councillor Sinclair, moved that Councillor Thornton-Nicol be appointed as Leader.  There being two nominations, Standing Orders required that the vote be taken by secret ballot, which given that the meeting was being conducted via Microsoft Teams required all Members to email their choice to the Clerk to the Council.  The Clerk then transcribed those choices onto 34 pieces of paper and these were counted in full view of all those present and viewing the meeting. The result of the ballot was as follows:-

Councillor Jardine                   -           19 votes

Councillor Thornton-Nicol       -           11 votes

Abstentions                             -           4

Councillor Jardine was duly appointed.

DECISION

DECIDED that Councillor Jardine be appointed as Leader of the Council.

Consider appointment of Vice-Convener.

The Council considered the appointment of the Vice Convener.  Councillor Scott, seconded by Councillor Linehan, moved that Councillor Greenwell be appointed.  There being no other nominations Councillor Greenwell was duly appointed.

DECISION

AGREED that Councillor Greenwell be appointed as Vice Convener.

Consider report by Returning Officer.  (Attached)

There had been circulated copies of a report by the Chief Executive giving details of those persons elected to serve as Members of the Scottish Borders Council, along with an update regarding other aspects of the election.

DECISION

AGREED to record the details of those individuals elected on 5 May 2022 to serve as Members of the Scottish Borders Council for the period to the next Local Government Election in 2027. 

Under Section 50B(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the Convener was of the opinion that the item dealt with in the following paragraph should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency, in view of the need to make an early decision.

The Convener accepted a request from Councillor Parker to propose a Motion that the next meeting of Scottish Borders Council to be held on 26 May 2022 be held “in person” to avoid the difficulties experienced conducting secret ballots online.  Councillor Weatherston seconded the Motion which was unanimously accepted.

DECISION

AGREED that the meeting of Scottish Borders Council to be held on Thursday, 26 May 2022 be held “in person” and in public in the Council Chamber at Scottish Borders Council Headquarters.