Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors David Cartwright, Peter Fookes, Chris Pierce and Samaris Huntington-Thresher.

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

It was moved by Councillor Mary Cooke and seconded by Councillor William Huntington-Thresher and

RESOLVED that Councillor Kim Botting be elected Mayor of the Borough.

Councillor Botting made and subscribed the declaration of Acceptance of 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 Kim Botting.

On her return to the Chamber the Mayor expressed her thanks for the honour conferred upon her and announced that during her year of office the charities that she would support would be Connect, a local charity supporting people with Aphasia, and the National Brain Appeal, which raised funds for the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. 

On a motion by Councillor Douglas Auld which was seconded by Councillor Melanie Stevens it was –

RESOLVED

That at the conclusion of the year of office of Councillor Julian Benington 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 committed and dedicated manner in which he has carried out Mayoral duties when representing the Borough, spreading awareness of the history and tradition of the Mayoralty, as well as strengthening our long-standing relationship with Neuwied.

The Council records his unstinting support for the Borough’s many Charities, Voluntary community Groups and other organisations. The Council also acknowledges his particular involvement, support and interest in the Business Sector of the Borough and his interest and support for our various ethnic communities. 

The Council further acknowledges his enthusiastic support and fund raising efforts through his Charity Appeal for Connect and The Bromley Community Fund.

That the Corporate Seal be fixed to an engrossment of this resolution for presentation to Councillor Julian Benington and a past Mayor’s Badge be presented to him in token of appreciation hereby expressed.

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

Councillor Benington expressed his thanks for the terms of the resolution and for the support accorded to him which had contributed greatly to his year of office as Mayor.

On a motion by Councillor Catherine Rideout which was seconded by Councillor Tim Stevens it was

RESOLVED that the Council

(1) records its appreciation of the able and courteous services of Councillor Kate Lymer and Mr Mark Brock when, as Deputy Mayor and Deputy Consort for the year 2014/15, they represented the Mayoralty and the Council; and  

(2) provides them with an attested copy of this resolution.

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

The mayor signified orally and in writing her appointment of Councillor Alan Collins 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 the appointment.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd February and 25^th March 2015 be confirmed.

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

After offering his personal congratulations to the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor, the Leader stated that the Council continued to face considerable financial challenges and many difficult decisions. There had been considerable achievements in recent times, such as the start of the development at Opportunity Site K, a new look for Bromley North Village, planning permission for the Health and Wellbeing Centre and new homes in Orpington town centre, investment for Beckenham High Street, Penge High Street, the Cray corridor and Biggin Hill, a new modern library in Penge, an enhanced Council website and a significantly improved investment strategy.

The Leader set out the members of the Executive – Councillors Colin Smith (Deputy Leader), Graham Arthur, Robert Evans, Peter Fortune, Kate Lymer and Peter Morgan, and thanked Councillors Tim Stevens and Stephen Wells for their service on the Executive in recent years. The Council would be seeking further efficiencies, continuing with the commissioning agenda and ensuring that the organisation evolved to remain fit for purpose. The Council had to be honest with residents about the hard choices and fulfil its statutory obligation to deliver a balanced, sustainable budget. It would continue to lobby government for fairer funding, seek to make better use of its assets, take a positive approach to business development and pursue the full and democratic integration of health and social care.

Councillor William 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 be approved as set out in the schedule circulated.

RESOLVED that the appointments indicated in the schedule be approved.

(Note: the following updates and corrections were made to the schedule –

Environment PDS: Councillor Terrence Nathan is the UKIP Member.

SACRE: Councillor Kevin Brooks is the Labour Member.

Plans 2: Councillor Nicholas Bennett replaces Councillor William Huntington-Thresher.

Plans 3: Councillor William Huntington-Thresher fills the vacancy.

Plans 4: Councillor Samaris Huntington-Thresher fills the vacancy.)

Report CSD15051

The Scheme of Delegation to officers was approved by the Leader and Council at the annual meeting each year. A small number of amendments to the scheme were set out in the report, including a proposal that power to grant dispensations, subject to consultation with members of the Urgency Committee, be delegated to the Director of Corporate Services.

Councillor Tim Stevens moved and Councillor Diane Smith seconded a motion to confirm the Scheme of Delegation.

RESOLVED that the Scheme of Executive Delegation be received from the Leader of the Council and the Scheme of Non-Executive Delegation be confirmed.

Report CSD15054

In accordance with the agreed procedure, a report was submitted setting out details of Members’ attendances at meetings during the 2014/15 Council year.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Report CSD15055

In accordance with the agreed procedures, reports had been submitted from Councillors appointed to serve on outside bodies with a significant role and budget.

RESOLVED that the report be noted

The Mayor announced that her chaplain would be Revd. Brian McHenry from All Saints Church, Bark Hart Road, Orpington. She also announced the following dates –

23^rd June –

Armed Forces Day, a ceremony which pays tribute to all of our Armed Forces with the Raising of the Flag and a reception afterwards in the Old Palace.

16^th July –

Reception for Volunteers in the grounds of the Old Palace which recognises the very important work done by Bromley volunteers.

17^th October –

Mayor’s Ball at the Warren, a beautiful venue where 200 people will enjoy a three course meal with a live professional band and a disco. Professor Neil Kitchen will be attending this event as our special guest.

14^th November –

Charity event to mark the opening of the new seven screen Odeon Cinema in the Walnuts, Orpington, with a planned James Bond 007 event to coincide with the premiere of the new Bond film “Spectre.”

11^th December –

Mayor’s Christmas Party at the stylish gourmet Indian Restaurant, Tamasha in Bromley, which I hope Councillors and officers attend with their partners. We will be occupying the whole of the first floor.