Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

Apologies received from Cllrs Grainger and Wells.

Apologies absence were received from Councillors Grainger and Wells.

i)  Meeting held on 11^th April 2011; and

ii)  Annual Council Meeting held on 18^th May 2011

The Minutes of the meeting held on 11^th April and the Annual Meeting on 18^th May 2011 were confirmed.

The Minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 11^th April and the Annual Meeting on 18^th May 2011 were confirmed.

The following members declared an interest in item 4 – Petitions – Libraries Petition:

Councillor Beckley as a Friend of West Wickham Library;

Councillor Simon Fawthrop as a contributor to Petts Wood Library;

Councillors Colin and Diane Smith whose daughter worked at a Bromley Library.

The following members declared an interest in item 4 – Petitions – Libraries Petition:

Councillor Beckley as a Friend of West Wickham Library; Councillor Simon Fawthrop as a contributor to Petts Wood Library and Councillors Colin and Diane Smith whose daughter worked at a Bromley Library.

‘Save our Services – Stop Bromley Council closing and selling off your Libraries’ – a representative addressed the Council seeking support for the aims of their petition.  Following debate by Council it was agreed to take no formal action on this matter.  Members noted that the matter was due to be discussed by the Renewal & Recreation PDS Committee meeting the following evening (5^th July 2011).

A Petition was received in accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme, as follows:

‘Save our Services – Stop Bromley Council closing and selling off your Libraries’

A representative addressed the Council seeking support for the aims of their petition.  Members noted that the matter was due to be discussed by the Renewal & Recreation Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee meeting the following evening (5^th July 2011).

A motion to take no further action on this matter was duly proposed and seconded.  The Motion was CARRIED.

No questions had been received from members of the public.

There were no questions from members of the public.

There were nine questions asked.

The oral and written questions are attached at Appendices A and B.

The Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Safety made a statement on his Portfolio priorities for the coming year.

A Statement was made by the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Safety, Councillor Tim Stevens on his Portfolio priorities for the coming year.  Councillor Smith thanked his predecessor Councillor Morgan for his work and in particular the successful introduction of the ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign clamping down on drug dealing which he intended to continue to support.  He would also be concentrating on dealing with unacceptable behaviour and most importantly the protection of vulnerable older people.  The three key actions that he would be supporting were Prevention; Education and Enforcement working across Council departments and with strong partnership participation.  Councillor Stevens responded to various member questions.

The recommendation to amend the Capital Programme to include the scheme for the replacement of Chislehurst Road Bridge was agreed.

A Motion to approve the recommendation to amend the Capital Programme to include the scheme for the replacement of Chislehurst Road Bridge was duly proposed and seconded.  The Motion was CARRIED.

Notice of 3 Motions had been received as follows:

i)  Support for the armed Services

Moved by Councillor Peter Fortuneand seconded by Councillor Michael Tickner -

“This Council affirms its wholehearted support for our servicemen and women, and their families, living in the London Borough of Bromley. 

In particular, this Council pays tribute to those residents who volunteer for service as reservists and cadet leaders.  The Council also gives thanks to those businesses that support our reservists during their deployment."

The above motioned was unanimously agreed with full cross party support.

ii)  Crystal Palace Tramlink Extension

The Motion moved by Councillor Peter Fookesand seconded by Councillor John Getgood was the subject of several amendments at the meeting and the following Motion, moved by Councillor Colin Smith and seconded by Councillor Getgood was subsequently agreed:

“This Council seeks and would welcome confirmation from the Mayor’s Office that an extension of the DLR (or Bakerloo line) from Lewisham to Bromley North, the Crystal Palace Tramlink, including lifts at Crystal Palace Station, and an extension of Tramlink from Croydon to Beckenham Junction and Bromley continue to feature as options in his future investment plans”.

iii)  Bromley Police Force

The Motion moved by Councillor Kathy Bance and seconded by Councillor Peter Fookes was amended at the meeting and the following Motion, moved by Councillor Stevens and seconded by Councillor Auld was agreed:

“This Council congratulates the Bromley Borough Police & Safer Bromley Partnership on the continuing reduction of crime right across the Borough.  This Council calls upon the Mayor of London to support boroughs such as Bromley in securing a fair allocation of police resources.”

Notice of three Motions had been received by the deadline as follows:

i)  Support for the armed Services

The following Motion was moved by Councillor Peter Fortune and seconded by Councillor Michael Tickner:

“This Council affirms its wholehearted support for our servicemen and women, and their families, living in the London Borough of Bromley. 

In particular, this Council pays tribute to those residents who volunteer for service as reservists and cadet leaders.  The Council also gives thanks to those businesses that support our reservists during their deployment."

On being put to the vote this Motion was CARRIED unanimously.

(Councillor Simon Fawthrop asked that his name be recorded as voting in support of the Motion.)

ii)  Crystal Palace Tramlink Extension

The following Motion was moved by Councillor Peter Fookesand seconded by Councillor John Getgood was the subject of several amendments at the meeting and the following Motion, moved by Councillor Colin Smith and seconded by Councillor Getgood was subsequently agreed:

“This Council welcomes the decision of the Mayor of London to reinstate the Crystal Palace Tramlink Extension in his Capital Programme and calls on him to provide a lift at Crystal Palace Station.”

An Amendment was moved by Councillor Colin Smith, seconded by Councillor Eric Bossard that the motion be amended.  Councillor Getgood asked whether Councillor Smith would agree to add in at the end reference to including lifts at Crystal Palace Station which he felt was very important.  Councillor Smith agreed and suggested alternative wording.  Following further debate it was agreed the revised Motion supported by Councillors Fookes and Getgood be put.  Councillor Colin Smith then submitted a further amendment which also supported by Councillors Fookes and Getgood.

The Amended Motion was moved by Councillor Colin Smith and seconded by Councillor John Getgood to read:  

“This Council seeks and would welcome confirmation from the Mayor’s Office that an extension of the DLR (or Bakerloo line) from Lewisham to Bromley North, the Crystal Palace Tramlink, including lifts at Crystal Palace Station, and an extension of Tramlink from Croydon to Beckenham Junction and Bromley continue to feature as options in his future investment plans.”

On being put to the vote this Amendment was CARRIED.

iii)  Bromley Police Force

The following Motion was moved by Councillor Kathy Banceand seconded by Councillor Peter Fookes:

“This Council congratulates the Bromley Borough Police on the continuing reduction in the Borough and calls upon the Mayor of London to support their work by reinstating the cuts to the policing budget for Bromley.”

An Amendment was moved by Councillor Tim Stevens and seconded by Councillor Douglas Auld that the Motion be amended to read:-

“This Council congratulates the Bromley Borough Police and Safer Bromley Partnership on the continuing reduction in crime right across the Borough.  This Council calls upon the Mayor of London to support boroughs such as Bromley in securing a fair allocation of police resources.”

On being put to the vote the Amendment was CARRIED.

The Mayor reported the recent death of Dr J K Randall, Freeman of the Borough and expressed condolences to the family.

He thanked those Councillors who attended the Civic Service at the Temple URC on 26^th June.

Congratulated the bowls and golf teams on their recent successes and hoped that this winning streak would continue for the cricket team.

The Mayor also announced the following fund raising events, more detailed information on which would be sent out in due course:

Cllr. Mrs. Anne Manning has kindly offered to hold a talk on ‘The Pitts’ at the Civic Centre followed by afternoon tea on Wednesday 26^th October. 2011.

An Abba Tribute Evening would be taking place at the Warren on Friday 25^th November 2011.  

A diner was also being arranged at the RAF Club for October/November.

The Mayor congratulated Cllr. Cathy Bance on behalf of the Members of the Council on being awarded the MBE for her contribution to the Voluntary Sector over many years in the Borough.

The Mayor presented the former Mayor, Cllr George Taylor, with a scroll comprising the Resolution of Thanks agreed at the Annual Meeting.

The Mayor reported the recent death of Dr J K Randall, Freeman of the Borough and expressed condolences to the family.

He also thanked those Councillors who had attended the Civic Service at the Temple URC on 26^th June 2011.

The Mayor congratulated the bowls and golf teams on their recent successes and hoped that this winning streak would continue for the cricket team.

The Mayor went on to announce the following fund raising events, more detailed information on which would be sent out in due course:

Councillor Mrs. Anne Manning had kindly offered to hold a talk at the Civic Centre on ‘The Pitts’ followed by afternoon tea on Wednesday 26^th October. 2011.  Arrangements were being made for an Abba Tribute Evening which would take place at the Warren on Friday 25^th November 2011.  A diner was also being arranged at the RAF Club for a date yet to be confirmed in October/November.

The Mayor congratulated Councillor Cathy Bance on behalf of the Members of the Council on being awarded the MBE for her contribution to the Voluntary Sector over many years in the Borough.

At the conclusion of the meeting the Mayor presented the former Mayor, Councillor George Taylor, with a scroll comprising the Resolution of Thanks agreed at the previous Annual Meeting.