Agenda and draft minutes

Council are asked to:

a)    Elect the Mayor of the Borough for the Municipal Year 2024-25 and

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

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

The Mayor gave a thank you speech as follows:

“I want to start by saying a big thank you to my husband Yanis who has been a great source of support for me throughout my year as Mayor. It has been a real privilege to follow in my mother’s footsteps and to support the same charities that she did.

I would like to thank my Mayoral Fundraising Committee, Alderman Robin Sider, Councillors Clarke and Gibson.

I would also like to thank all the officers that have assisted me whilst I have been Mayor.

This has been the best time of my life and I have only been able to do this role with the support of the numerous volunteers that we have in this Borough.

I send my best wishes to my successor” 

It was moved by Councillor S Doran and seconded by Councillor Sexton that Councillor Buck be appointed Mayor for the Municipal Year 2024-25.

It was moved by Councillor Boughtflower and seconded by Councillor Clark that Councillor Brennan be appointed Mayor for the Municipal Year 2024-25.

In favour of Councillor Buck – 21 votes

In favour of Councillor Brennan – 14 votes

Council resolved that Councillor Buck be appointed Mayor for the Municipal Year 2024-25.

A short adjournment took place to hand over the robes and Badge of Office to the new Mayor.

Councillor Buck made the Declaration of Acceptance of Office as Mayor of the Borough of Spelthorne and took the Chair. He presented Councillor Saliagopoulos with her past Mayor’s Badge.

(Councillor Buck, The Mayor, in the Chair)

The Mayor invited the retiring Mayor’s Consort, Mr Yanis Saliagopoulos, to present his consort with the Mayor’s Consort Badge. The Mayor then invited his consort, Mrs M Buck, to present Mr Yanis Saliagopoulos with the past Mayor’s Consort Badge.

Councillor Geach entered the Chamber at 19.36

To confirm as a correct record the Council meeting held 25 April 2024.

The minutes of the Council meeting held 25 April 2024 were agreed as a correct record of proceedings.

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

There were none.

Council as asked to:

a)    Elect the Deputy Mayor of the Borough for the Municipal Year 2024-25, and

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

It was moved by Councillor Burrell and seconded by Councillor Dunn that Councillor J Doran be appointed Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2024-25.

It was moved by Councillor Boughtflower and seconded by Councillor Lee that Councillor Bing Dong be appointed Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2024-25.

A recorded vote was requested by Councillor Boughtflower

In favour of Councillor J Doran – 20  votes

In favour of Councillor Bing Dong – 15 votes

Resolved that Councillor J Doran be appointed as Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2024-25.

Councillor J Doran made the Declaration of Acceptance of Office as Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Spelthorne and announced that his wife Councillor S Doran, would be the Deputy Mayor’s Consort. The Mayor presented Councillor J Doran with the Deputy Mayor’s Badge.

The Mayor 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:

“I would first like to say that I am deeply honoured and humbled to be chosen to represent this Borough as Mayor of Spelthorne and would like to thank my fellow members for this opportunity and am grateful for your support.

Thank you to the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Saliagopoulos and the former Deputy Mayor, Councillor Baldock and we all wish her a speedy recovery.

As Mayor of Spelthorne I am absolutely committed to representing this community and supporting our residents in this coming year. The charities within the Borough are very important as they provide a range of services for our residents and particularly the most vulnerable.

During my Mayoral year I will be supporting four charities who are all doing an excellent job. They are the Stanwell Food Bank, the Ashford St Peters Hospital who are both close to her heart and my home. I will also be supporting Manor Mead School, Shepperton and the New Life Chairty who were both nominated by the outgoing Deputy Mayor.

Ladies and gentlemen we have tremendous opportunities and challenges ahead of us and as Mayor I call upon each of you all to set aside your political differences and come together and work for a common purpose that is to help our residents.

Over the next 12 months there will be a number of civic events to which you are all invited. The first will be the Mayoral Civic Service that will be taking place at St Matthews Church, Ashford on 09 June at 2pm at which we will be celebrating the Borough’s 50^th anniversary and the 80^th anniversary of D-Day.

I have lived in Stanwell for the past 10 years and there are a number of active charities in the supporting local residents. In my day job I run an NHS community service that delivers a range of support and care to over 350k service users in Hounslow and Richmond.

You may be aware that I was born in Mauritius and that I speak French. I would like to take this opportunity to say a few words in French to the residents of the towns that Spelthorne are twinned with in France and Mauritius, Melun and Grant Port.

(The Mayor then made an announcement in French

To elect the Leader of the Council for the Municipal Year 2024-25.

It was moved by Councillor Lee and seconded by Councillor  Attewell that Councillor Boughtflower be appointed Leader of the Council for the Municipal Year 2024-25.

It was moved by Councillor Bateson and seconded by Councillor Beecher that Councillor Sexton be appointed Leader of the Council for the Municipal Year 2024-25.

A recorded vote was requested by Councillor Bateson.

Resolved that Councillor Sexton be appointed as Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2024-25.

To receive any announcements from the Leader.

The Leader made the following announcements:

“Thank you Mr Mayor and may I congratulate you and your consort, Madhury. I very much look forward to supporting you and your charities in the forthcoming year.

I am pleased to have been re-elected as Leader of the Council, my commitment has and will continue to be that we put residents at the heart of everything we do.

I remain resolute and determined as ever to improve our Borough and make Spelthorne a better place for our residents to live and prosper in.

Robust debate and discussion are to be encouraged, that is a healthy hallmark of a democracy, but in doing so I must ask all members to be respectful and acknowledge the views of others whose view may differ from their own. We must continue to move this council forward in a spirit of co-operation, working at all times on behalf of all our residents, they expect nothing less from us.

This administration recognises the importance of effective communication with our residents and we are continually seeking new ways to work to engage with and listen to our communities. Building on the engagement we have fostered via the Residents Association meetings, I am pleased to confirm the launch of the Spelthorne Partnership Assembly (SPA).

The assembly will meet four times a year and we are extending an open invitation to relevant partner organisation, which will include Surrey County Council, Councillors, Surrey Police and the NHS, so that partner representatives may benefit from our discussions and be in tune with those issues most important to our residents.

We believe that the Spelthorne Partnership Assembly will generate greater alignment, accountability and commitment for action – ensuring that the services Spelthorne Borough Council deliver, alongside those delivered by our partners, are properly integrated with what our communities require.

Policy formulation rests firmly with the members of each committee and it is they who will determine the key objectives and direction of this council. Every member is of equal status and without exception has the opportunity to play their part in the process, thus cementing us as an all-inclusive council.

I very much look forward to working with all officers and members in the year ahead and would like to express my gratitude and thank everyone who has signed up to Team Spelthorne.”

To elect the Deputy Leader of the Council for the Municipal Year 2024-25.

It was moved by Councillor Nichols and seconded by Councillor S Doran that Councillor Bateson be appointed Deputy Leader of the Council for the Municipal Year 2024-25.

Resolved that Councillor Bateson be appointed Deputy Leader of the Council for the Municipal Year 2024-25.

To receive announcements from the Council’s Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive made the following announcements:

“Mister Mayor, may I commence by congratulating you on your Mayorship.

You take up your civic role at a time of heightened Westminster interest in the Borough.

Two weeks ago, the Secretary of State initiated a Best Value inspection of the authority.

Two days ago, we had the honour of hosting a House of Lords Environment Committee meeting in Staines-upon-Thames; and

Barely 26 hours ago, following the Prime Minister's announcement, we learned that we will be facilitating a General Election on the 4th July.

Mister Mayor, we look forward to supporting you in this golden year celebrating the Boroughs 50th anniversary.”

Council is asked to:

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

b)    appoint members to Committees and Sub-Committees (11b)

c)    appoint Chairs and Vice-Chairs to Committees and Sub-Committees (11c)

d)    appoint Named Substitutes to Committees (11d)

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 and Resources Committee

Commercial Assets Sub-Committee

Licensing Committee

Council resolved to agree the allocations of seats to each political party as outlined in the supplementary agenda and to increase the number of seats on the following committees by one to ensure that each group receives its full allocation of seats :

Corporate Policy & Resources Committee

Commercial Assets Sub-Committee

Licensing Committee

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, to appoint the members to serve on the Committees and Sub-Committee, including Phillip Briggs as the independent person on the Audit Committee whose appointment will be confirmed until end of April 2027.

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 Committees.

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.

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 2024/25

(1 representative and 1 deputy)

2.    Surrey Police and Crime Panel – for 2024/25

(1 representative)

South West Middlesex Crematorium Board

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

It was proposed by Councillor Boughtflower and seconded by Councillor Lee   that Councillor Woodward serve as the Council’s representative on the South West Middlesex Crematorium Board.

Councillor Dunn – 20

Councillor Woodward – 15

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

It was proposed by Councillor Boughtflower and seconded by Councillor Lee   that Councillor Woodward serve as the Council’s deputy representative on the South West Middlesex Crematorium Board.

Resolved that Councillor Woodward serve as the Council’s deputy representative on the South West Middlesex Crematorium Board.

Surrey Police and Crime Panel

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

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

Clarke –  15

Burrell -   19

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

Council are asked to approve a nomination received to sit on the Surrey County Council Pension Fund Committee.

It was proposed by Councillor Sexton and seconded by Councillor Bateson and resolved that Councillor Nichols’ nomination to sit on the Surrey County Council Pension Fund Committee be submitted to the Surrey Leaders’ Group.