Agenda and minutes

The Mayor to make and deliver the statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Beckley, Grainger, William Huntington-Thresher, Joel and Tickner.

It was moved by Councillor Reg Adams and seconded by Councillor Tom Papworth and

RESOLVED that Councillor David McBride be elected the Mayor of the Borough.

Councillor McBride made and subscribed the Declaration of Acceptance of the office of Mayor and thereupon adjourned from the Chamber in company with the retiring Mayor to receive the insignia of Office.

  In the Chair the Mayor Councillor David McBride

On his return to the Chamber, the Mayor expressed thanks for the honour conferred upon him, for the generous terms in which the motion had been proposed and seconded and for the manner of its reception.  He also advised that during his year of office the charity that he would be supporting was the Biggin Hill Battle of Britain Trust and their work towards providing a Heritage Centre at Biggin Hill.

On a motion by Councillor Stephen Carr, which was seconded by Councillor Pauline Tunnicliffe it was

RESOLVED that at the conclusion of the year of office of Councillor George Taylor as Mayor of the London Borough of Bromley, the Council places on record its appreciation of the able manner in which he has presided at meetings of the Council and the distinction with which he has maintained and discharged the high traditions and responsibilities of that office.

The Council also recognises the commitment and dedication with which he has carried out his Mayoral duties.  It records with pleasure his particular involvement and support of the Borough’s voluntary groups, business community, schools and colleges.  Additionally, it notes his interest in the welfare and wellbeing of residents from all age groups throughout the Borough.

He has carried out the duties of the Mayoralty with dignity and has spread knowledge of its tradition and its modern day relevance to the many schools and organisation which he has visited during his term of office.

Councillor Taylor has also shown a keen interest and appreciation in the work of The Prince’s Trust within the Borough which he has supported through his Charity Appeal.

RESOLVED that the Corporate Seal be affixed to an engrossment of this resolution for presentation to Councillor George Taylor and a Past Mayor’s Badge be presented to him in token of the appreciation hereby expressed.

Thereupon the Mayor, on behalf of the Council, invested Councillor George Taylor with a badge in token of the appreciation of his services as Mayor of the Borough.

Councillor Taylor expressed his thanks for the terms of the resolution and the presentation then made and for the support accorded to him which had contributed so greatly to his year of office as Mayor.

RESOLVED that the Council

(1)  records its appreciation of the able and courteous services of Councillor Ruth Bennett and her Consort, Councillor Nicholas Bennett JP, when as Deputy Mayor and Deputy Consort for the year 2010/11, they represented the Mayoralty and the Council; and

(2)  to provide to them an attested copy of this resolution.

Councillor Ruth Bennett expressed her thanks for the terms of the resolution and for the support accorded to her during her year of office as Deputy Mayor.

Councillor Taylor presented a Resolution to the retiring Mayor’s Chaplain.

The Mayor signified orally and in writing his appointment of Councillor Reg Adams as the Deputy Mayor.

The Deputy Mayor was invested by the Mayor with the insignia of his office and he expressed appreciation for the honour of this appointment as Deputy Mayor.

On a Motion by Councillor Carr, seconded by Councillor Arthur, it was

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 11^th April 2011 be submitted for confirmation at the next ordinary meeting of the Council.

In accordance with the Council’s constitutional arrangements the Leader of the Council advised of the following appointments:

Councillor Colin Smith – as Deputy Leader of the Council and Environment Portfolio Holder

Councillor Robert Evans - Adult and Community Portfolio Holder

Councillor Peter Morgan - Renewal and Recreation Portfolio Holder Councillor Ernest Noad - Children and Young People Portfolio Holder

Councillor Tim Stevens - Public Protection and Safety Portfolio Holder

Cllr Graham Arthur - Resources Portfolio Holder and to oversee Public Health issues.

RESOLVED that the appointments made by the Leader of the Council as setout above be noted.

In accordance with the agreed constitutional arrangements that the Leader may elect to address the meeting Councillor Carr mad a brief statement.

He added his personal congratulations to Councillor McBride on his appointment as Mayor.

Councillor Carr spoke of the significant problems facing Local Authorities across the country as a result of the local government finance settlement, resulting in a much reduced Central Government funding.  He reaffirmed the determination of the administration to do everything it could to protect Bromley including further efficiencies.  Concerning this he was pleased to report the very significant progress being made with the neighboroughing Boroughs of Bexley and Croydon towards sharing certain services resulting in further savings.  He highlighted the need for a highly motivated workforce and Bromley’s commitment to staff setting out how Members and offices could all work to move forward together.  Emphasis would be on working with Managers to develop a culture of effective management and leadership where innovation and new ways of working were promoted as well as developing the potential of all members of staff.  Staff, particularly those in the front line, would also be encouraged to feedback their comments and be strongly involved in developing ideas on improving services.  Despite the situation Councillor Carr remained optimistic and proud about what Bromley had achieved in Building a Better Bromley.

Councillor Samaris Huntington-Thresher moved and Councillor Nicholas Bennett seconded a Motion that the appointment of Councillors to Committees and the election of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Committees be approved as out in the schedule which had been circulated.

RESOLVED that the appointments indicated in the Appendix to these Minutes be agreed.

The Scheme of Delegation to Officers sets out formal delegation of various powers to the Council’s chief officers and their staff. The Scheme was normally updated for approval at the Council’s annual meeting in May each year, although under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 any executive powers delegated to officers haD to be delegated not by the Council, but by the Leader of the Council, and it was open to the Leader to table changes to the executive scheme.

An updated Scheme was circulated taking into account changes during the past year but no new delegations were proposed.

Councillor Owen moved and Councillors Wells seconded a Motion to confirm the Scheme of Delegation of non executive functions.

The Motion was duly adopted.

In accordance with the procedure adopted last year by Council a report was submitted setting out details of members’ attendance at Council, Committees and Sub-Committees and Executive/Portfolio Holder meetings during the Council year 2010/11.  A revised schedule was circulated at the meeting.

A motion to note the report was adopted.

The Mayor announced that his Chaplain for the year would be Reverend Andy Coyne from the Temple URC Church, St Mary Cray.

The following dates for Member’s diaries were also reported; -

The Mayor’s Civic Service would take place on Sunday, 26^th June 2011; and

The Civic Reception for Voluntary Workers would take place on Friday, 22^nd July 2011.  Invitations to both events would be issued shortly.