Opening of the meeting

Good afternoon, members, cabinet members and officers and those watching this webcast. Welcome to the first full meeting of the Finance and Resource Select Committee in this council year. Firstly, may I remind members to switch on their microphones every time they speak so that their contributions can be properly captured for the webcasts. Members would have received and read the papers and whilst answering questions, I would ask that it would assist the committee if contributors can identify where possible themselves and their positions in the council. Agenda item number one, I'd like to move on to the appointment of the vice chairman. I'm pleased to announce that I have appointed Councillor Deb Dillon as vice chairman of the committee for the council year. Councillor Deb Dillon is a long -standing committee member and councillor who I hold in high regard. Thank you, Councillor Deb Dillon, for taking on this role.

We now move on to agenda item number two. May I ask the clerk to report the apologies for absence, substitutions and any changes in membership? Yes, thank you, Chairman. We've had apologies from Councillor Metta and we have Councillor Schaefer attending in her place.