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 consider the following Motions:

1.    Pursuant to Standing Order 18.1, this Council removes Councillor Ian Harvey from the office of Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council.

2.    Pursuant to Standing Order 18.2, this Council appoints Councillor John Boughtflower to be Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council for the remainder of the four year term.

The Motion was signed by:

Councillors Jim McIlroy, Maureen Attewell, Clare Barratt, Richard Barratt and Naz Islam.

As Councillor I.T.E. Harvey had announced his resignation prior to the meeting, Council moved directly to the second motion:

“Pursuant to Standing Order 18.2, this Council appoints Councillor John Boughtflower to be Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council for the remainder of the four year term”.

It was moved by Councillor J. McIlroy and seconded by Councillor A.J. Mitchell that this Council appoints Councillor J. Boughtflower to be Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council for the remainder of the four year term.

Resolved that Councillor J. Boughtflower be appointed Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council for the remainder of the four year term.

To receive any announcements from the Leader.

The Leader made the following announcements:

Councillor J. Boughtflower thanked the previous Leader for his work and  pledged his best efforts going forward.  He wanted to send a clear message that it was business as usual and, although there was still some way to go to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and a return to the new normal, whatever that may be, he would do everything to assist in this.  He also thanked staff for their commitment during the pandemic and acknowledged that recent events may have caused unrest.

The Leader announced that he had appointed a Deputy Leader – Councillor Jim McIlroy and that his Cabinet would be announced in due course.

He announced his intention to work with all parties from the outset and his intention to review the Council’s governance arrangements.  He offered congratulations to all who had recently been appointed to new positions.

He also looked forward to working closely with Surrey County Council members to ensure the Borough was centre of any Surrey plans.