In the past week, the Broxtowe Council held a Licensing and Appeals Committee meeting on Tuesday, 11 June 2024. Unfortunately, the transcript for this meeting was not available, so we are unable to provide details on the discussions and decisions made.

Mayor's Announcements and Youth Mayor Appointment

A significant event this week was the Mayor's announcements, which included the introduction of the new Broxtowe Youth Mayor for 2024-25, Libby Bales. Libby, a student at Kimberley School, is actively involved in the Girl Guides and the Methodist youth group. She aims to study law in the future. Libby expressed her excitement about representing young people from across the borough:

I love the region and I want to help promote it as best I can while showing the community what a positive impact young people can make.

Councillor Chris Carr also highlighted the importance of the Youth Mayor position:

I think it gives young people that opportunity to have their voices heard on the issues that matter to them, be it public transport, education, the environment.

Election of the New Mayor and Deputy Mayor

The council also saw the election of a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Councillor Sue Paterson was elected as the new Mayor of Broxtowe Borough Council. Sue has a strong background in community service and is involved in various local volunteer organizations. During her term, she will be raising funds for the Helpful Bureau and raising awareness for Dystonia UK. Sue's consort for the year will be her husband, Harry.

Councillor Robert Bullock was elected as the Deputy Mayor. Bob has a long history of community involvement, including roles with the Eastwood Volunteer Bureau and Eastwood and District Neighbourhood Watch. He is also a retired firefighter and has been involved in various local organizations.

Approval of the Chetwin and Chilwell Neighbourhood Plan

One of the key decisions made this week was the approval of the Chetwin and Chilwell Neighbourhood Plan. The plan received overwhelming support from the community, with 84% voting in favor. This plan will now form part of the development plan and will be considered in future planning applications. The leader of the council praised the efforts of all those involved in the creation of the plan, noting its complexity and the significant community engagement it required.

Key Themes and Implications

1. Youth Engagement: The appointment of Libby Bales as Youth Mayor underscores the council's commitment to involving young people in local governance. This could lead to more youth-focused initiatives and policies in the coming year.

2. Community Leadership: The election of Councillor Sue Paterson and Councillor Robert Bullock as Mayor and Deputy Mayor, respectively, highlights the council's emphasis on community service and volunteerism. Their backgrounds suggest a continued focus on community engagement and support.

3. Local Planning and Development: The approval of the Chetwin and Chilwell Neighbourhood Plan demonstrates the council's commitment to structured and community-supported development. This plan will guide future planning applications and ensure that development aligns with the community's vision.

Future emails will continue to monitor these themes and provide updates on how they evolve.

In the past week, the Broxtowe Council held two meetings: the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, 04 June 2024, and the Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday, 05 June 2024.

Cabinet Meeting Highlights

The Cabinet meeting was largely procedural, with a significant portion of the time spent on formalities and ceremonial activities. The most impactful segment was the announcement of the new Broxtowe Youth Mayor for 2024-25, Libby Bales. Libby is a student at Kimberley School, a member of the Girl Guides, and involved in the Methodist youth group. She aims to study law in the future.

Councillor Chris Carr emphasized the importance of the Youth Mayor position:

I think it gives young people that opportunity to have their voices heard on the issues that matter to them, be it public transport, education, the environment. - Councillor Chris Carr

Libby Bales herself expressed her enthusiasm for the role:

I love the region and I want to help promote it as best I can while showing the community the positive impact young people can make. - Libby Bales

Additionally, outgoing Mayor Teresa Cullen gave a detailed account of her year in office, highlighting her achievements, including raising £22,150 for the Broxtowe Community Fund and establishing it as a significant local charity. She also shared personal anecdotes and thanked various individuals and teams for their support.

Planning Committee Meeting

The Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday, 05 June 2024, did not have a transcript available at this time. Details on the specific planning applications and decisions made during this meeting will be provided in future updates as they become available.

Key Themes and Implications

1. Youth Engagement: The appointment of Libby Bales as Youth Mayor underscores the council's commitment to involving young people in local governance. This could lead to more youth-focused initiatives and policies in the coming year.

2. Community Fundraising: The success of the Broxtowe Community Fund under Teresa Cullen's tenure highlights the potential for local fundraising efforts to significantly impact community projects and support services.

3. Ceremonial Continuity: The detailed ceremonial aspects of the Cabinet meeting reflect the council's emphasis on tradition and formal recognition of service, which may influence the council's approach to community engagement and public relations.

Future emails will continue to monitor these themes and provide updates on how they evolve.