Agenda and draft minutes

Council are asked to:

a)    Elect the Mayor of the Borough for the Municipal Year 2025-26; and

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

The retiring Mayor, Councillor M Buck welcomed all members and guests to the Annual Meeting of the Council.

The Mayor gave a thank you speech as follows:

“Fellow councillors, officers, distinguished guest and above all the incredible people of Spelthorne.

Today, I stand before you for the final time as your Mayor. I do so, not only with farewell in my heart, but with humbleness, deep gratitude and with immense pride on what we have built and achieved together.

When I began this incredible journey as your Mayor, I remembered when I first wore the chain of office, I knew I was not just accepting a role in the Council, I was embracing a very important responsibility. On that day I made a solemn promise to serve with compassions, with integrity and with a deep commitment to every resident whilst focussing on the community and our beautiful borough. Today, as I conclude this chapter, I say with all humility that I kept my promises.  Have not just performed my duties, but I safeguarded the values of this Borough with the highest regard. I honoured our traditions, I upheld our civic pride and I presided with utmost fairness, with dignity and respect.

For me, being Mayor is not about status or ceremony, it’s not about my personal enjoyment or taking any financial advantage. It’s about service to the community. All my community engagements were visible. My words were sincere. But most importantly my intentions were pure. I remained a-political throughout. I served not for recognition or applause, but with devotion to our people. It was a profound opportunity for me to give back to the community that embraced me with open arms and trusted me with their heart.

My mayoral year has been more than a year of public service. It has been a year of purpose. A year where stood not above the people, but with the people. I walked through every corner of Spelthorne, I shook hands not only  with dignitaries, but with those who were deprived and often forgotten. I listed to the dreams, the concerns and learnt from the wisdom of our residents. From school children, our youth to our eldest citizen, some even over 103 years young, I saw in every face the beating heart of Spelthorne. Everyone holds a story, and every person deserves to be seen.

Together with the residents of Spelthorne, we celebrate our successes and achievements. This year we celebrated Spelthorne’s 50^th Anniversary, making half a century of unitary, resilience and community service. We honoured our past, we embraced our present but we dare to imagine our future.

My mayoral year was filled with events, activities and celebrations which I have been updating you on throughout the year and thank you for your participation. However, I would like to mention a few highlights where we revived a forgotten tradition which was once an historical and civic pride linking the city of London to Staines which was the commemoration of the London  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46/25

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Council meeting held on 24 April 2025 and the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 06 May 2025.

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 25 April 2025 and the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 06 May 2025 were agreed as a correct record.

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

Councillors Attewell, Boparai, Mooney, Sexton and Weerasinghe advised they were also Surrey County Councillors.

Council are asked to:

a)    Elect the Deputy Mayor of the Borough for the Municipal Year 2025-26; and

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

It was moved by Councillor Nichols and seconded by Councillor S Doran that Councillor Dunn be appointed Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2025-26.

Council resolved that Councillor Dunn be appointed as Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2025-26.

Councillor Dunn made the Declaration of Acceptance of Office as Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Spelthorne and announced that her husband, Mr Richard Dunn, would be the Deputy Mayor’s Consort. The Mayor presented Councillor Dunn with the Deputy Mayor’s Badge.

The Mayor’s Consort presented the Deputy Mayor’s Consort Badge to the Deputy Mayor’s Consort.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor made the following announcements:

Evening all

I would like to say thank you for electing me as Mayor – I feel honoured with your trust in me.

I shall endeavour to uphold the best traditions for Spelthorne, working hand in hand with the Deputy Mayor Cllr, Sandra Dunn and with these unsettled times around Local Government Reorganisation I expect this to be a busy year for  us all.

On a separate note, I would like to mention my four charities for my mayoral year:

1. Surrey care Trust -  Based at the Lord Knyvett Hall and the Stanwell Community Allotment, the Stanwell Community Group is a powerhouse community programme led by Surrey Care Trust volunteers.

together, they support the Stanwell community to:

• Encourage pride in the neighbourhood
• Represent the diverse community
• Support residents to get involved through events, regular activities, and celebrations
• Encourage good physical and mental health and wellbeing
• Reduce social isolation and increase social connections

Over the past year, over 1,500 adults, children, and families took part in activities ranging from a Lantern Parade, celebrating Diwali, Family Fundays and of course, activities delivered from the award-winning Stanwell Community Allotments.

2.    1^st Stanwell Air Scout Group

They provide Scouting to boys and girls aged 6 to 14 in Stanwell, Surrey, in the  Beaver, Cub and Scout sections.

 Scouting offers challenge and adventure to 400,000 young people aged 6-25 across the UK. They believe in helping their members fulfil their potential by working in teams, learning by doing and thinking for themselves. They are working to make Scouting available to all and are passionate about what they do.

The sort of adventure Scouting offers is the chance to experience something different and the opportunity to challenge yourself. When a Beaver Scout wakes up the morning after a sleepover, or a Cub Scout has just got over her fear of heights by completing her first abseil – that’s adventure.

3.    Families Thriving Together

They offer free accessible and inclusive parenting support for everyone, breaking down barriers and reducing stigma. At Families Thriving Together, they encourage communities to come together with the common issue of parenting, normalise parenting support and reduce the stigmas attached to attending parenting programmes.

4.    Spelthorne Museum

Spelthorne Museum has a range of exhibits and displays, using many finds from local archaeological excavations, to tell the story of Spelthorne from the last Ice Age to modern times:

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·         the London Stone, a 1738 Fire Engine, a Victorian kitchen

·         special exhibitions that change during the year

·         local interest features as the 'Window on Spelthorne

The museum is entirely set up and run by volunteers and has an interesting history itself.

Last but not least, I would like to mention a few events for my mayoral year.

1.    Afternoon Tea -  I will look at doing this twice, as it’s a good fundraiser for charity.

2.    Kempton races is always a winner with the councillors and again a good fundraiser.

3.    Quiz night at the Magpie.

4.    Summer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50/25

To elect the Leader of the Council for the Municipal Year 2025-26.

It was moved by Councillor Bateson and seconded by Councillor Williams that Councillor Sexton be appointed Leader of the Council for the Municipal Year 2025-26.

Councillor Boughtflower requested a record vote.

Council resolved that Councillor Sexton be appointed as Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2025-26.

To receive any announcements from the Leader.

The Leader made the following announcements:

“On 9 May, Surrey’s district and borough councils, including Spelthorne, submitted proposals to government on the future of local government. Nine of us back three unitary authorities. Others, including the county council, prefer two. We firmly believe local councils should stay local. Bigger, centralised structures risk losing touch with the people they serve. Now, we await the government’s decision this autumn.

Earlier this month, Commissioners were appointed following the 2024 best value inspection. I welcome them and am determined to restore Spelthorne’s financial health. We'll work together to deliver real, lasting improvements.

We have approved our new Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy - a five-year plan to make sure every resident has a safe, affordable place to call home and early support if they are at risk of losing it.

On top of that, our new Leisure and Culture Strategy is in place. While leisure is often seen as optional, we know it’s essential for health, happiness, and a connected community.

We have also introduced a new Public Space Protection Order to tackle antisocial behaviour including misuse of bikes, e-scooters, catapults and face coverings. It’s not a silver bullet, but it’s one more way we’re keeping Spelthorne safe. Signs will go up around the borough from 4th June.

And finally, Spelthorne in Bloom is now open! If you’re proud of your garden or allotment, get your entry in by 20 June. It’s a brilliant celebration of community spirit”.

To elect the Deputy Leader of the Council for the Municipal Year 2025-26.

It was moved by Councillor Nichols and seconded by Councillor Beecher that Councillor Bateson be appointed Deputy Leader of the Council for the Municipal Year 2025-26

Council resolved that Councillor Bateson be appointed Deputy Leader of the Council for the Municipal Year 2025-26.

The meeting adjourned at 20.20

The meeting reconvened at 20.34

To receive any announcements from the Chief Executive.

The Mayor invited the Chief Executive to speak to the Chamber.

The Chief Executive made the following announcements:

“Thank you, Mister Mayor. May I take this opportunity to extend a heartiest congratulations to yourself and Madame Deputy Mayor on your respective elections. May I also take this opportunity to join the Leader in extending a very warm welcome to Ministry colleagues and to Commissioners to Spelthorne. We look forward to working in close collaboration with them through the journey of Local Government Reorganisation, and in achieving Best Value. Thank you.”

Council is asked to:

a)    Appoint Committees, of the size in the table at 11(a) and to agree the representation of the different political groups on Committees 11(a)

b)    Appoint members to Committees and Sub-Committee 11(b)

c)    Appoint Chairs and Vice-Chairs to Committees and Sub-Committee 11 (c)

d)    Appoint Named Substitutes to Committees 11(d)

Allocation of Seat on Committees and Sub-Committee

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

To approve the proposed increase in the number of seats on the following Committees, to ensure that each party receives their full allocation of seats:

Corporate Policy & Resources Committee

Commercial Assets Sub-Committee

Appointment of members to Committees and Sub-Committee

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, to appoint the members to serve on the Committees and Sub-Committee.

Appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs to Committees and Sub-Committee.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, to appoint Chairs and Vice-Chairs to serve on the above mentioned Committees and Sub-Committee.

Appointment of Named Substitutes to Committees and Sub-Committee

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, to appoint the Substitute Members to serve on the Committees and Sub-Committee.

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

To approve the proposed increase in the number of seats on the following Committees, to ensure that each party receives their full allocation of seats:

Corporate Policy & Resources Committee

Commercial Assets Sub-Committee

Council resolved to agree the allocations of seats to each political party as outline in the Supplementary Agenda and to increase the number of seats on the following Committees by one to ensure that each group received its full allocation of seats:

Corporate Policy and Resources Committee

Commercial Assets Sub-Committee.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, to appoint the members to serve on the Committees and Sub-Committee, including the Independent Member positions on the Audit Committee, Commercial Assets Sub-Committee and the Standards Committee.

Council resolved to agree the appointments of members to the Committees as outlined in the Supplementary Agenda.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, to appoint Chairs and Vice-Chairs to serve on the above mentioned Committees and Sub-Committee.

Council resolved to agree the appointment of Chairs and Vice-chairs to the Committees as outlined in the Supplementary Agenda.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, to appoint the Substitute Members to serve on the Committees and Sub-Committee.

Council resolved to agree the nominations for Substitutes for Committees as outlined in the Supplementary Agenda.

Council is asked to appoint representatives to the following bodies:

1.    South West Middlesex Crematorium Board – for 2025/26

(1 representative and 1 deputy)

2.    Surrey Police and Crime Panel – for 2025/26

(1 representative)

South West Middlesex Crematorium Board

It was proposed by Councillor Nichols and seconded by Councillor Bateson that Councillor Dunn serve as the Council’s representative on the South West Middlesex Crematorium Board.

Council resolved that Councillor Dunn serve as the Council’s representative on the South West Middlesex Crematorium Board.

No nominations were received for the appointment of a deputy to the Council’s representative on the South West Middlesex Crematorium Board for 2025/26.

Surrey Police and Crime Panel

It was proposed by Councillor Button and seconded by Councillor Beatty that Councillor Burrell serve as the Council’s representative on the Surrey Police and Crime Panel.

It was proposed by Councillor Boughtflower and seconded by Councillor Lee that Councillor Clarke serve as the Council’s representative on the Surrey Police and Crime Panel.

Councillor Burrell – 17

Councillor Clarke – 13

Council resolved that Councillor Burrell serve as the Council’s representative on the Surrey Police and Crime Panel.

Council is asked to approve the nomination received to send to The Surrey Leaders’ Group.

It was proposed by Councillor Sexton and seconded by Councillor Bateson and resolved that Councillor Buck’s nomination to sit on the Adult and Health Select Committee be submitted to the Surrey Leaders’ Group.

Councillor Saliagopoulos asked that it be put on the minutes that she did not agree with this resolution.

The meeting ended at 20.55