Agenda and draft minutes

To elect a Mayor to hold office until the appointment of a successor at the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2026.

Councillor Brenda Link made a speech in relation to her year as Mayor of Dacorum.

Councillor Brenda Link asked for nominations for the election of a Mayor to hold office until the appointment of a successor at the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2026. 

It was moved by Councillor Cllr William Allen, seconded by Councillor Adrian England unanimously.

Resolved:

That Councillor Catherine McArevey be appointed Mayor to the Borough of Dacorum until the appointment of a successor at the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2026.

Councillor Brenda Link vacated the chair which was taken by Councillor Catherine McArevey who made her declaration of acceptance of office.

Councillor Catherine McArevey delivered a speech of acceptance.

The newly elected Mayor referred to the duties carried out by Councillor Brenda Link as Mayor of the Borough of Dacorum during the past year.

It was moved by the Mayor, seconded by Councillor William Allen and unanimously;

Resolved:

That the Council tender to Councillor Brenda Link their most cordial thanks for the admirable manner in which she has discharged the duties of the office of Mayor of the Borough of Dacorum during the past year and place on record their appreciation of the energy and sound judgement which distinguished her actions during that period:  That the Seal of the Council be affixed to a copy of this resolution and that it be presented to her in recognition of her services as Mayor of the Borough of Dacorum.

To elect a Deputy Mayor to hold office until the appointment of a successor at the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2026.

The Mayor asked for nominations for the appointment of the Deputy Mayor to hold office until the appointment of a successor at the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2026. 

It was moved by Councillor Nigel Taylor, seconded by Councillor Simy Dhyani and unanimously;

Resolved:

That Councillor Stevens be appointed Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Dacorum until the appointment of a successor at the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2026.

Councillor Stevens made his declaration of acceptance of office.

The minutes of the previous meeting with be considered at the next meeting of the Full Council.

The minutes of the previous meeting will be considered at the next Council meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Cllrs Patterson, Stewart, Bhinder, Walker, Riddick, Adeleke, Weston.

To receive any declarations of interest.

No declarations of interest were made.

To receive official announcements and business brought forward by the Mayor and the Chief Executive.

Mayor McArevey announced the sad passing of former councillor John Whitman.

Reflections were shared by Cllr Guest and Cllr Elliott, Cllr Symington passed on her condolences on behalf of the Liberal Democrat party.

A silence was held.

Mayor McArevey invited announcements from the Chief Executive Darren Welsh.

Darren Welsh announced that the Hertfordshire County Council election was held on Thursday the 1st of May 2025. I can confirm that there was a 31% turnout across Hertfordshire. The full results for the Dacorum area can be found on our website

Committee membership to follow.

Councillor Sally Symington appointed Councillor Simy Dhyani as Deputy Leader

Proposals for the Cabinet, Chairs and Vice-Chairs and Members to serve on the Standing Committees until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2026 were circulated as set out in Annex A to these minutes and agreed.

To follow.

Mayor Catherine McArevey handed over to Councillor Sally Symington.

The full appointment to outside organisations will come to the next meeting of the Full Council. In the interim, I propose the following representatives be appointed;

Chiltern Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Conservation Board - Cllr England, and

Leverstock Green Village Association - Cllr Gale & Cllr McArevey

The meeting ended at 20:15