The Mayor to make and deliver the statutory Declaration of Office

It was moved by Councillor Tony Owen, seconded by Councillor Ian Dunn and

RESOLVED that Councillor Nicholas Bennett MA JP be elected Mayor of the Borough.

Councillor Bennett 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, Cllr Nicholas Bennett MA JP.

On his return to the chamber, the Mayor expressed his thanks for the honour conferred on him.

The Mayor signified orally and in writing his appointment of Cllr Kira Gabbert 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.

On a motion from Councillor Graham Arthur, which was seconded by Councillor Pauline Tunnicliffe, it was

RESOLVED that at the conclusion of the year of office of Councillor Kim Botting FRSA 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 enthusiasm, commitment and dedicated manner in which she has carried out Mayoral duties when representing the borough, spreading awareness of the history and tradition of the Mayoralty with dignity, as well as strengthening our relationship with Mayoralty outside of the Borough.

In particular, it appreciates her work in marking the 30^th anniversary of our long-standing relationship with our twinned town Neuwied on 8^th September 2018, and her help in securing the future of our friendship by renewing the partnership founded three decades ago.

The Council gratefully acknowledges her continued dedication to developing cultural links with China through personal diplomacy and a system of school exchanges.

It records with pleasure her success in forging our connection with the Canadian city of Thunder Bay with the signing of the historic Friendship Agreement on 7^th March 2019.

It appreciates her particular involvement and support of the Borough’s voluntary groups, business associations, community groups, music and drama organisations, schools and colleges. Additionally, it notes her consideration for the welfare and wellbeing of residents from all age groups throughout the borough.

The Council further acknowledges her enthusiastic support and fund raising efforts through her Charity Appeal for The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and Bromley, Lewisham and Greenwich Mind.

That the Corporate Seal be affixed to an engrossment of this resolution for presentation to Councillor Kim Botting FRSA 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 in office.

RESOLVED that the Council

(1) records its appreciation of the able and courteous services of Councillor David Cartwright and Mrs Kathryn Cartwright when, as Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress for they represented the Mayoralty and the Council; and

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

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Kathy Bance, Christopher Marlow and Will Rowlands.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th April 2019 be confirmed.

In accordance with the constitutional arrangement that the Leader of the Council may elect to address the annual meeting, Councillor Colin Smith made a brief statement on his priorities and vision for the borough. He recognised housing and reducing homelessness as a major challenge, but emphasised that the Council was looking at a number of innovative initiatives, and for the first time in many years the housing list had actually gone down. Another major issue was the plight of elderly people. The Council had to ensure that the high standards for education and children’s services were improved and never allowed to slip, while at the same time adults services were brought up to the similar standards. Strategies for mental health, older people and learning disabilities were being prepared, and there were real opportunities for combining health and social care. Loneliness was a theme through many issues facing the Council, and the Leader was determined to see that this was drawn together to drive out even better outcomes. The voluntary sector was particularly important and effective in Bromley.

The Leader briefly mentioned a number of other issues, such as the large number of people interested in public protection issues and attending Safer Bromley Partnership meetings and the need to provide good environmental services despite the budget pressures. He would continue to fight for fairer funding for the borough, and he considered that the Council’s policy of investing its money to support frontline services had been vindicated.

(Schedule of committee memberships to follow.)

A schedule of proposed committee appointments had been circulated. A motion that the appointment of Councillors to Committees and the election of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen as set out in the schedule circulated was moved by Councillor William Huntington-Thresher, seconded by Cllr Christine Harris and CARRIED.

After the end of the meeting, Committees met to appoint their Sub-committees and appoint chairmen and vice-chairmen. The final version of the schedule is attached as Appendix A to these minutes.

Report CSD190071

A motion to note the Scheme of Executive Delegation and confirm the Scheme of Non-Executive Delegation was moved by Councillor Pauline Tunnicliffe, seconded by Councillor Stephen Wells and CARRIED.

Report CSD19072

In accordance with the agreed procedure, a report was received summarising Members’ attendance at meetings during the 2018/19 Council year.

Report CSD190073

Reports were received from Councillors appointed to serve on outside bodies during the 2018/19 Council year.

The Mayor confirmed that his Chaplain would be father Tom McHugh of St Joseph’s and St Swithun’s Church, and reminded Members that the Civic service would be held at St Joseph’s on 2^nd June at 11am. 

The Mayor announced that his charities would be the LATCH Project and Careplus, and he invited a representative from each to give a brief outline of their work.