Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hastings, Jackson and Lymer.

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

It was moved by Councillor Russell Mellor and seconded by Councillor David Jefferys and

RESOLVED that Councillor Ernest Noad be elected Mayor of the Borough.

Councillor Noad 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 Ernest Noad

On his return to the Chamber, the Mayor expressed his 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 Bromley Y and their work/support provided to young people. 

On a Motion by Councillor Michael, which was seconded by Councillor Tickner it was –

RESOLVED that at the conclusion of the year of office of Councillor Michael Turner 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 dedicated manner in which he has carried out the duties associated with the role of the Mayoralty.

He has fulfilled his role as Mayor with dignity and has spread awareness and knowledge of the history and tradition of the Mayoralty as well as its modern day relevance.

The Council also recognises Councillor Turner’s enthusiastic interest in the many schools, colleges, voluntary, community and religious groups and organisations which he has visited within the Borough.

The Council further acknowledges his support and fund raising efforts through his Charity Appeal for The Darwin Unit at The Princes Royal University Hospital.

RESOLVED that the Corporate Seal be affixed to an engrossment of this resolution for presentation to Councillor Michael Turner 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 Michael Turner with a badge in token of the appreciation of his services as Mayor of the Borough.

Councillor Turner 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 Ian Payne and Mrs Judith Payne when as Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress for the year 2012/13, they represented the Mayoralty and the Council; and

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

Councillor Payne expressed his thanks for the terms of the resolution and for the support accorded to him during his year of office as Deputy Mayor.

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

The Mayor signified orally and in writing his appointment of Councillor Judi Ellis as the Deputy Mayor.

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

On a Motion by Councillor Carr, seconded by Councillor Colin Smith, to authorise submission of the Minutes of the February Council Meeting in it was

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 27^th February 2013 be confirmed, subject to the amendment of those present to include Councillor Jefferys.

a)  To receive the appointments of the Deputy Leader and other members of the Executive of the Council from the Leader of the Council.

b)  To receive the appointments of elected Members onto the Health and Wellbeing Board from the Leader of the Council.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitutional arrangements and new statutory responsibilities for certain health matters, the Leader of the Council advised of the following appointments, details of which had been circulated at the meeting:

Deputy Leader for 2012/13 – Councillor Colin Smith

Members of the Executive –

Councillor Graham Arthur – Portfolio Holder for Resources

Councillor Robert Evans – Portfolio Holder for Care Services (to also include responsibility for Public Health matters)

Councillor Peter Morgan – Portfolio Holder for Renewal & Recreation

Councillor Colin Smith – Portfolio Holder for the Environment

Councillor Tim Stevens – Portfolio Holder for Public Protection & Safety (to now include the daily operational responsibilities for the YOT and Youth Service)

Councillor Stephen Wells – Portfolio Holder for Education (to retain overall strategic management responsibility via the Executive for the YOT and Youth Service)

Elected Members of the Health and Wellbeing Board -

Councillors Adams, Ruth Bennett, Judi Ellis, Evans, Fookes, Fortune, Ellie Harmer, William Huntington-Thresher, Jefferys, Charles Rideout and Diane Smith.

The Chairman of the Heath and Wellbeing Board – Councillor Peter Fortune

Vice-Chairmen of the Health and Wellbeing Board – Councillors Mrs Diane Smith and David Jefferys.

The Council endorsed the payment of a Special Responsibility Allowance in respect of the Chairman of the Board to be set at the same level as that paid to the Chairmen of the Development Control and General Purposes and Licensing Committees.

Executive Sub-Committee and Working Group Memberships for 2013/14

Improvement and Efficiency Sub-Committee

Councillors Arthur, Carr, Nicholas Bennett, Benington, Bosshard, Ellis, Evans, Will Harmer, Mellor and Reddin

Special Educational Needs (SEN) Working Party

Councillors Nicholas Bennett, Charsley, Ellis, Evans, Fortune, Tunnicliffe and Wells; Councillors Getgood and McBride 

(Note: Councillor McBride has withdrawn from the Working Group)

 Town Centre Working Party

Councillors Benington, Carr, Dean, Will Harmer, William Huntington-Thresher, Michael, Morgan, Payne, Phillips, Colin Smith and Tickner; Councillors Getgood and McBride

Child Safeguarding and Corporate Parenting Working Party

Councillors Nicholas Bennett, Ellis, Evans, Mrs Manning, Diane Smith, Stevens, Tunnicliffe and Wells; Councillor Adams

Local Development Framework Advisory Panel

Councillors Benington, Bosshard, Carr, Dean, William Huntington-Thresher, Jackson, Joel, Mellor, Michael, Morgan, Mrs Manning and Colin Smith; Councillors Fookes and Papworth

Constitution Improvement Working Group

Councillors Arthur, Nicholas Bennett, Benington, Bosshard, Carr, Dean, Evans, Grainger, Owen and Stevens; Councillors Adams and Fookes

Children’s Board

Councillors Carr, Evans, Tunnicliffe and Wells

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

He added his personal congratulations to the Mayor, Councillor Noad, and to his Deputy Mayor, Councillor Judi Ellis, on their appointments.

Councillor Carr made reference to the continued challenges facing the Council and reiterated the authority’s determination to protect front line services where possible particularly for the most vulnerable in the community.  A central strand of ‘Building a Better Bromley’ was the plans for regeneration and supporting business in the light of changing government policy.  Councillor Carr was pleased to highlight work starting on the schemes at Bromley South and Orpington Town Centre.  During the coming year there would also be further delivery of an exciting mixed use development at Opportunity Site G in Bromley Town Centre demonstrating that Bromley was forward thinking and open for business.

Councillor Carr advised that he was working with colleagues and officers on a revised and more targeted ‘Building a Better Bromley’ document to reflect the changes at local government level during this period of austerity.  Emphasis would be placed on greater efficiencies and examining ways for the better delivery of services as well as working closely with health colleagues which was crucial in the face of reduced budgets and the ever growing demand on services.  The Leader also updated members on the Council’s decision to move away from National Conditions of Service which had now taken place and he thanked the Director of Human Resources and his team for the work they had done to achieve this.  For the future the Leader spoke of the need to foster a change of attitude and the instilling of a community spirit with people becoming more accountable and responsible for their actions.

Councillor William Huntington-Thresher moved and Councillor Nicholas Bennett seconded a Motion that the appointment of Councillors to Committees and the election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Committees be approved, as set out in the schedule circulated, subject to the following amendments:

On page 1 of the list the size of the Environment Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee was confirmed as 9 members with a 7–1–1 proportionality.

Councillor Catherine Rideout would fill the vacancy on the Environment Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee.

The Vice-Chairman of the Care Services Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee would be Councillor Jefferys.

Councillor Fookes advised that he would be a member of Plans Sub-Committees Nos 1 & 3 and Councillor Bance would be on Nos 2 & 4.

Councillor Papworth advised that Councillor Canvin would be on Plans Sub-Committee No 1, Councillor Papworth on Plans Sub-Committee No 2; Councillor  McBride on Plans Sub-Committee No 3 and Councillor Adams on Plans Sub-Committee No 4.

RESOLVED that  the appointments indicated in the Appendix to these Minutes be agreed, subject to the above amendments.

The Scheme of Delegation to Officers was approved by the Leader and Council at the Annual meeting each year.  Since the Scheme had last been updated on 16^th May 2012 only a small number of minor corrections were proposed dealing with changes to departments and Chief Officers.  A further amendment to the Scheme had been circulated.

Councillor Owen moved and Councillor Mellor seconded a Motion to confirm the Scheme of Delegation to Officers as amended.

The Motion was duly adopted.

The Constitution Improvement Working Group had made a number of recommendations for minor changes to the Council’s Constitution relating to the Council Procedure Rules and terms of reference for the Rights of Way Sub-Committee and the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Councillor Nicholas Bennett moved and Councillor Carr seconded a Motion to approve the proposed changes to the Constitution as set out in the report as well as any necessary corrections to the Constitution to accord with the new officer structures and titles.

The Motion was duly adopted.

In accordance with agreed procedure a report was submitted setting out details of Members’ attendances at Council, Committees and Sub-Committees and Executive/Portfolio Holder meetings held during the Council year 2012/13.  For the first time the report also included executive and non-executive working groups.  A revised schedule was circulated at the meeting.

A Motion to note the report was duly adopted.

In accordance with agreed procedure reports were submitted from Councillors appointed to serve on outside bodies with a significant role and budget.

A Motion to note the report was adopted.

The Mayor advised that his Chaplain would be the Reverend Morag Finch from St Mary’s Church, Shortlands.  He also announced the following dates for Members to include in their diaries:

The Mayor’s Civic Service would be held at St. Mary’s Church on Sunday 30^th June 2013.  The Civic Reception for Voluntary Workers would be held on Friday 12^th July 2013 and the first Charity Appeal fund raising dinner would be held at the Cru Restaurant, West Wickham on Wednesday 3^rd July 2013.