Agenda and minutes

The Mayor to make and deliver the statutory Declaration of Office

It was moved by Councillor Katy Boughey, seconded by Councillor Douglas Auld and

RESOLVED that Councillor Ian F. Payne be elected Mayor of the Borough.

Councillor Payne 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 Ian F. Payne. 

On his return to the Chamber the Mayor expressed his thanks for the honour conferred upon him and announced that during his year of office the charities that he would be supporting were the Salvation Army Youth Project and ‘The Breast of Bromley’ - a regional volunteer group in Bromley working in  partnership with ‘Breast Cancer Now’ the UK’s largest breast cancer research charity.

On a motion by Councillor Mary Cooke, which was seconded by Councillor William Huntington-Thresher it was

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

The Council also recognises the committed and dedicated manner with which she 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 her unstinting support for the Borough’s many Charities, Voluntary Community Groups and other organisations. The Council also acknowledges her particular involvement, support and interest in the Business Sector of the Borough and her interest and support for our various ethnic communities.

The Council further acknowledges her enthusiastic support and fund raising efforts through her Charity appeal for The National Brain Appeal and Connect. 

That the Corporate Seal be affixed to an engrossment of this resolution for presentation to Councillor Kim Botting and a Past Mayor’s Badge be presented to her in token of the appreciation hereby expressed.

Thereupon the Mayor, on behalf of the Council, invested Councillor Kim Botting with a badge in token of the appreciation of her services as Mayor of the Borough.

Councillor Botting expressed her thanks for the terms of the resolution and the presentation and for the support accorded to her which had contributed so greatly to her year of office as Mayor.

Councillor Botting presented a badge and resolution to the retiring Mayor’s Chaplain, Reverend Brian McHenry.

RESOLVED that the Council

(1)  records its appreciation of the able and courteous services of Councillor Alan Collins and his Consort, Mrs Cleusa Collins when as Deputy Mayor and Deputy Consort for the year 2015/16, they represented the Mayoralty and the Council; and

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

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

The Mayor signified orally and in writing his appointment of Councillor Hannah Gray as the Deputy Mayor.

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Peter Fookes, Will Harmer, Russell Mellor, Terence Nathan and Diane Smith.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11^th April 2016 were confirmed.

In accordance with the agreed constitutional arrangement 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 and their consorts, and to the retiring Mayor and Deputy Mayor and their consorts, the Leader highlighted the key themes for the authority in the coming year. In the light of the continuing pressure on local authorities, he considered that it was crucial that he set out how the Council would achieve the aim of becoming a self-sufficient local authority, protecting front line services and key local Member priorities.  The priorities were to (i) use the Growth Fund to generate new business rate income and generate new jobs;  (ii) achieve a democratically-led integration of health and social care; and (iii) renew efforts to ensure that Bromley stood out as an attractive place to live, work, start new businesses and spend leisure time in by ensuring that it remained as clean and welcoming as possible. 

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 was moved by Councillor William Huntington-Thresher, seconded by Councillor Stephen Carr and CARRIED.

After the end of the Council meeting, Committees met to appoint Sub-Committees and elect their Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen. The final version of the schedule is attached as Appendix A to these minutes. 

(Note:

The following errors in the schedule were subsequently identified -

·  Councillor Tim Stevens JP should be appointed to the Industrial Relations Sub-Committee, not Councillor Michael Turner.

·  Councillor Terence Nathan should be appointed to the Environment PDS Committee, not Councillor David Livett.) 

Report CSD16059

A motion to confirm the Scheme of Delegation was moved by Councillor Tim Stevens, seconded by Councillor Peter Dean and CARRIED.

Report CSD16065

A motion to approve changes to the Constitution was moved by Councillor Nicholas Bennett, seconded by Councillor Stephen Carr and CARRIED.

Report CSD16060

In accordance with the agreed procedure, a report was received setting out details of Members’ attendance at meetings during the 2015/16 Council year.

Report CSD16061

In accordance with the agreed procedures, reports were received from Councillors appointed to serve on outside bodies.

The Mayor announced that Lt. Colonels Graham and Kirsten Owen would be his chaplains for the forthcoming year.  

The Mayor requested that his best wishes be passed to Councillor Terence Nathan, who was unwell.

Members were invited to the following events –

·  Monday 23^rd May – Charity dinner at Villagio Restaurant, Chislehurst High Street

·  Sunday 5^th June – Civic Service at the Salvation Army, Ethelbert Road, followed by lunch at the Bromley Court Hotel.

·  Saturday 10^th December – masked Christmas ball at the Beaverwood.