Agenda and minutes

(a). To elect the Mayor of the Borough for the Municipal Year 2019-20.

(b). The Mayor to make the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The retiring Mayor, Mrs. J.M. Pinkerton OBE, welcomed all members and guests to the Annual Meeting of the Council and invited Rev. A. Saville, to say a word of prayer.

The Mayor thanked the officers of the Council, her Consort, and the Mayor’s secretary, Mrs. Sheila Kimpton, for their hard work and support during her Mayoral year.

Reflecting on her year in office the Mayor was delighted to announce that nearly £47,000 had been raised for her nominated charities, a record breaking result in Spelthorne.  Her year in office had been hard work but a rewarding, fulfilling and learning experience. 

It was moved by Councillor R.A. Smith-Ainsley and seconded by Councillor M.M. Attewell and

Resolved that Councillor Mary Madams be appointed Mayor for the Municipal Year 2019-20.

A short adjournment took place to hand over the robes and badge of Office to the new Mayor during which a song and dance performance was provided by students from the Dream Catchers Stage School.

Councillor Mary Madams made the Declaration of Acceptance of Office as Mayor of the Borough of Spelthorne and took the Chair.  She thanked her proposer and seconder and the Council for supporting her in her election as Mayor.  She presented Mrs. Jean Pinkerton OBE with the past Mayor’s badge and a scrapbook commemorating her year in office.

The outgoing Mayor’s Consort, Mrs. Linda Burton, presented the Mayor’s Consort badge to the new Mayor’s Consort, Mr. Andrew Hopgood, and he in turn presented Mrs. Linda Burton with a past Mayor’s Consort badge.

The Mayor, Councillor Mary Madams, advised that the theme she had chosen for her year in office was ‘Inspire to Aspire’, creating awareness of exciting and rewarding career opportunities for young people in the Borough and intended to work with local employers seeking apprenticeship opportunities for those leaving higher education.

During her term as Mayor, Councillor Madams announced that she will be supporting the following charities:

·         Midas Plus – a charity run by local people to help local people in need, raising and distributing funds to community groups and individuals

·         Eikon – a charity working in local Surrey communities providing long-term support to vulnerable young people.

The Mayor announced that she had appointed a Chaplain for her Mayoral Year, the Reverend Andy Saville, Vicar of All Saints’ Church, Laleham and Area Dean for Spelthorne.  The Mayor presented Reverend Saville with the Chaplain’s badge.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Council meeting held on 25 April 2019.

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 25 April 2019 were agreed as a correct record.

(a). To elect the Deputy Mayor of the Borough for the Municipal Year 2019-20.

(b). The Deputy Mayor to make the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

It was moved by Councillor R.W. Sider BEM and seconded by Councillor M.M. Attewell that Councillor Colin Barnard be appointed Deputy Mayor for the municipal year 2019-20.

Resolved that Councillor Colin Barnard be appointed Deputy Mayor for the municipal year 2019-20.

Councillor Colin Barnard made the Declaration of Acceptance of Office as Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Spelthorne.

The Mayor’s Consort, Mr. Andrew Hopgood, presented the Deputy Mayoress’ Badge to the Deputy Mayoress, Mrs. Barbara Barnard.

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Colin Barnard, briefly addressed the Council and thanked his proposer and seconder for their support.  He said it was a great honour to be elected as Deputy Mayor and looked forward to supporting the Mayor in her Mayoral year.

To receive any disclosures of interest from Councillors in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct for Members.

There were no disclosures of interest.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor, Councillor Mary Madams, advised all those present that details of some of the events she had planned for her Mayoral year were circulated in the Order of Proceedings.

Upcoming events included:

·         Civic Service at All Saints Church, Laleham followed by Thames Boat trip – 2pm, Sunday 9 June

·         Flag Raising for Armed Forces Day, Knowle Green – 10.45am Monday 24 June

·         Tombola and MidasPlus Duck Race at Staines-upon-Thames Day – 11am, Sunday 30 June

To elect the Leader of the Council for a four-year term expiring at the Annual Council Meeting in May 2023.

It was moved by Councillor R.W. Sider BEM and seconded by Councillor M.M. Attewell and

Resolved that Councillor Ian Harvey be appointed Leader of the Council for a four year term of office expiring at the Annual Council meeting in May 2023.

To receive any announcements from the Leader.

The Leader congratulated the Mayor on her appointment and looked forward to working with her to ensure another very successful year ahead. He also congratulated the Deputy Mayor on his appointment.

The Leader thanked Mayor Pinkerton for her outstanding work this last year and in particular for raising not far short of £50,000 for her nominated Mayoral charities.  He was delighted to announce that Mrs. Pinkerton had kindly agreed to be appointed Spelthorne Borough Council’s Education Ambassador.

He congratulated all Members, both re-elected and newly elected. It was an honour to serve our Borough and he was sure we would all strive to serve with diligence. The Leader also commiserated with those former Members who were unfortunately unsuccessful in their re-election bids.

Next, he thanked Members for again showing faith in him and his leadership by his re-election as Leader of the Council and pledged his continued best efforts to meet the needs, expectations and aspirations of the residents of our Borough.

The Leader announced that he had decided in the short term, to have a consolidated Cabinet of just 6:

The Cabinet portfolios were as follows:

Cllr Tony Harman - Deputy Leader and Finance portfolio

Cllr Maureen Attewell - Community Wellbeing and Housing portfolios

Cllr Richard Barratt - Environment and Compliance portfolio

Cllr John Boughtflower - Corporate Management portfolio

Cllr Olivia Rybinski - Economic Development, Customer Service, Estates and Transport portfolio

The Planning portfolio was currently vacant but matters would be dealt with jointly by himself and the Chair of Planning.

The Leader then made the following announcements:

We have recently had public consultations on two of our planned housing developments, Ashford Hospital car park and Phase Two of Ceaser Court in Sunbury. Together these two projects would enable us to deliver over 140 much needed homes for our Borough, many of which would be Key Worker or Affordable homes. At the Ceaser’s Court site in Sunbury we have been negotiating for over 18 months with NHS Clinical Commissioning Group to provide a much needed new GP Surgery. These negotiations were ongoing. 

The Council was recently successful in its bid for £60,000 from Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government to support efforts to support those currently, or at risk of, rough sleeping in Spelthorne. This grant would be used to fund a dedicated outreach and navigator service for the next twelve months, which would focus on working with our partners in the community to support getting rough sleepers off the streets for good.

Confirmation had now been received from Surrey County Council that there would be ongoing funding from 2020 for Family Support across Surrey and in particular for our high performing team who were assessed as “excellent” against all criteria in a recent quality assurance review.

Finally, he reminded Councillors that the closing date for responses to Surrey County Council’s consultation on their ‘Making Surrey Safer plan’ was Sunday 26th May.  This proposed changes to the way Surrey Fire and Rescue Service operate in the county.  Under  ...  view the full minutes text for item 145/19

(1) Establishment of Committees

In accordance with Articles 6, 8 and 9 of the Council’s Constitution, and pursuant to Part 4 (a) – Standing Order 8.3, to appoint the following Committees of the size indicated below and with the Terms of Reference and functions set out in Part 3 (a) of the Council’s Constitution.

(2). Allocation of seats on Committees – Appendix A

Pursuant to Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, to agree the representation of the different political groups on Committees.

(Appendix A will be circulated at the Annual Council meeting, or sooner if available.)

Note:

(a). *The political proportionality rules technically do not apply to the Members’ Code of Conduct Committee, but the Council previously agreed that all political groups, including a member of the Cabinet, should be represented on that Committee.  In view of the increased number of groups and independents on Council following the May 2019 elections, this is not feasible.  However having regard to the general principle of widest representation on this Committee, it is possible to allocate seats to three out of the four groups within the constraints of the regulations.   

(b). Two members of the Members’ Code of Conduct Committee are independent, non-councillors.

(3). Appointment of members to Committees (Appendix B)

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, to appoint the members to serve on the above-mentioned Committees, including Mr. Murray Litvak as the non-elected Chairman of the Members’ Code of Conduct Committee. The position of Vice-Chairman of the Members’ Code of Conduct Committee is currently vacant.

(Appendix B, the nominations to Committees, will be circulated at the meeting or sooner if available).

Details of the Committees and their size and the political allocation of seats

(Appendix A) were circulated on the agenda for the meeting. The members to

serve on the various Committees (Appendix B) were circulated at the meeting

on the supplementary agenda.

It was moved by Councillor I.T.E. Harvey and seconded by Councillor A.C.

Harman and

Resolved to agree:

a) the appointment of the Committees shown at Agenda Item 9 of the size

indicated and with the terms of reference and functions set out in Part 3 of

the Council’s Constitution;

b) the allocation of seats as shown on revised Appendix A;

c) the Councillors to serve on Committees as shown on revised Appendix B; and

d) that Mr. Murray Litvak be appointed as Chairman of the Members’ Code

of Conduct Committee.

To appoint councillor representatives to serve on the following Outside Bodies:

1. South West Middlesex Crematorium Board

(1 representative and 1 deputy)

2. Surrey Police and Crime Panel

(1 representative)

(The nominations for these Outside Body Appointments (Appendix C) will be circulated at the Annual Council meeting or sooner if available).

South West Middlesex Crematorium Board

It was moved by Councillor I.T.E. Harvey and seconded by Councillor M.M. Attewell that Councillor R.J. Noble be appointed as the Council’s representative on the South West Middlesex Crematorium Board.

Councillor S. Dunn proposed that Councillor R.D. Dunn be appointed as the Council’s representative on the South West Middlesex Crematorium Board.  The nomination was seconded by Councillor C.L. Bateson.

Resolved that Councillor R.J. Noble be appointed as the Council’s representative on the South West Middlesex Board.

It was proposed by Councillor I.T.E. Harvey and seconded by Councillor M.M. Attewell that Councillor A. Brar be appointed as the Council’s deputy representative on the South West Middlesex Crematorium Board.

Councillor C.L. Bateson proposed that Councillor S. Dunn be appointed as the Council’s deputy representative on the South West Middlesex Crematorium Board.  The nomination was seconded by Councillor T. Fidler.

Resolved that Councillor A. Brar be appointed as the Council’s deputy representative on the South West Middlesex Board.

Surrey Police and Crime Panel

It was moved by Councillor I.T.E. Harvey and seconded by Councillor M.M. Attewell that Councillor R.O. Barratt be appointed as the Council’s representative on the Surrey Police and Crime Panel

Councillor S. Dunn proposed that Councillor C.L. Bateson be appointed as the Council’s representative on the Surrey Police and Crime Panel. The nomination was seconded by Councillor L.E. Nichols.

Resolved that Councillor R.O. Barratt be appointed as the Council’s representative on the Surrey Police and Crime Panel.