Agenda, decisions and minutes

Certificates presented to Revd. Morag Finch and Honorary Alderman Ernest Noad.

Honorary Alderman Ernest Noad presented a Certificate and Medal to Reverend Morag Finch for her service as Mayor’s Chaplain in 2013/14.

The Mayor presented Honorary Alderman Ernest Noad with a certificate commemorating his year as Mayor in 2013/14 and a certificate from the London Borough of Croydon in recognition of his twelve years of service as a Councillor there.

Apologies received from Cllrs Ruth Bennett, Peter Dean, William Huntington-Thresher, Richard Scoates and Richard Williams.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ruth Bennett, Peter Dean, William Huntington-Thresher, Richard Scoates and Richard Williams. Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor David Jefferys.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

Confirmed, subject to a correction relating to Cllr Ellis’s declaration of interest.

Councillor Judi Ellis reported that, in relation to minute 17, Declarations of Interest, her son was actually Head Teacher at Biggin Hill Primary School, not a teacher at Langley Park.  

Subject to this correction, the minutes of the meeting held on 21^st July 2014 were confirmed.

Petition received from Bromley Income Equality Group – Council decided to take no further action.

Report CSD14125

A petition with over 500 signatures was received from Bromley Income Equality Group calling on the Council to create a “Fairness Commission” for Bromley, to pay its own lowest paid workers the London Living Wage and to close the pay gap among its own staff. Dr John Courtneidge addressed the Council in support of the petition. 

A motion to take no further action on the petition was moved by Councillor Graham Arthur and seconded by Councillor Colin Smith. This motion was CARRIED.

Questions must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 7^th October 2014

No questions received.

No questions had been received.

10 oral questions and 1 urgent question dealt with – remaining 4 questions will receive a written answer.

Fourteen oral questions had been received.  Eleven were dealt with at the meeting; three had not been dealt with at the end of the time allowed and so would receive a written reply. In addition, the Mayor allowed one urgent question. The questions and answers are set out in Appendix A to these minutes.

Answers to 14 written questions were tabled.

Fourteen questions had been received from Councillors for written reply. The questions and answers were circulated at the meeting and are attached as Appendix B to these minutes.

No statements were made.

No statements were made.

The recommendation to add the Crystal Palace Park Improvement Project to the capital programme was approved.

Report CSD14126

A motion to approve the recommendation from the Executive to add the Crystal Palace Park Improvement Project to the capital programme was moved by Councillor Steven Carr, seconded by Councillor Peter Morgan and CARRIED.   

Recommendations to amend the Treasury Management Investment Strategy were approved.

Report CSD14127

A motion to approve changes recommended by the Executive to the Treasury Management Investment Strategy was moved by Councillor Graham Arthur, seconded by Councillor Steven Carr and CARRIED.  

Noted.

Report CSD14128

A motion to note the decision made by the Urgency Committee at its meeting on 15^th July 2014 was moved by Councillor Tony Owen, seconded by Councillor Eric Bosshard and CARRIED.

Two motions considered as follows –

(1) Council Finances (Moved by Cllr Tony Owen and seconded by Cllr Alexa Michael)

“This Council notes the warning in the annual accounts, from the external auditors PriceWaterhouseCooper, of a significant risk to the authority from continuing financial restraints. It calls on the government to take a more realistic view of the finance and statutory responsibilities of a Council which already has a low spending per head.”

The motion was carried.

(2) UK Corporation Tax (Moved by Cllr Ian Dunn and seconded by Cllr Angela Wilkins)

“This Council requests the Executive to include a requirement in all future tenders that the successful bidder should pay full UK Corporation Tax on the profit they make on the contract and not make use of tax havens.”

The motion was referred to the Executive and Executive and Resources PDS Committee.

Two motions were considered as follows –

(1) Council Finances

The following motion was moved by Councillor Tony Owen and seconded by Councillor Alexa Michael -

“This Council notes the warning in the annual accounts, from the external auditors PriceWaterhouseCooper, of a significant risk to the authority from continuing financial restraints. It calls on the government to take a more realistic view of the finance and statutory responsibilities of a Council which already has a low spending per head.”

The motion was CARRIED.

(2) UK Corporation Tax

The following motion was moved by Councillor Ian Dunn and seconded by Councillor Kathy Bance MBE -

“This Council requests the Executive to include a requirement in all future tenders that the successful bidder should pay full UK Corporation Tax on the profit they make on the contract and not make use of tax havens.”

With the agreement of Councillor Dunn, the motion was deferred to the next meetings of the Executive and Resources PDS Committee and the Executive so that Councillors could be properly informed of the legal and financial implications.

The Mayor led Members in congratulating Cllrs Will Harmer and Nicky Dykes on their recent wedding and encouraged Members to attend a number of forthcoming charity events.  

The Mayor led Members in congratulating Councillors Will Harmer and Nicky Dykes on their recent wedding and encouraged Members to attend a number of forthcoming events as follows –

·  Tuesday 14^th October – Diversity Day

·  Saturday 1st November – Diwali Celebration at Bishop Justus School

·  Wednesday 26^th November – Mayoress’ Ladies Lunch at Chapter One

·  Thursday 27^th November – Business Reception

·  Connect Carol Concert at St George’s, Borough High Street  

·  Friday 23^rd January 2015 – Black tie dinner with boxing at The Warren 

Further details for each event would be circulated by the Mayor’s Office.