Agenda and minutes

By Reverend Adrian Guthrie

Prayers were said by Reverend Adrian Guthrie.

To elect a Mayor of the London Borough of Hillingdon to hold office from 15 May 2009 until his or her successor becomes entitled to act as Mayor

It was with sadness that the Mayor informed Members of the recent death of Jackie Griffiths, a former Councillor for Ickenham Ward.  All present stood for a minute’s silence in her memory.

The Mayor thanked the Council for the opportunity that he had been afforded over the last 12 months. During his term of office, the Mayor had attended a variety of functions and been able to support a number of community projects, spanning all age groups from across the Borough.  He had also established two annual awards for young people: one relating to sport and the other to music.

The Mayor also thanked: those organisations that had supported his charities; Council officers; and the Mayoress, Mrs Clare Crowe. 

Nominations were invited for a Mayor to hold office for the 2009/10 municipal year. Councillor Shirley Harper O’Neill was nominated by Councillor Judy Kelly and seconded by Councillor Allan Kauffman. There were no further nominations. 

Resolved: That Councillor Shirley Harper O’Neill be elected as Mayor for the municipal year 2009/10.

The Council adjourned for robing of the new Mayor at 8.05pm and reconvened at 8.14pm.

The Mayor to make the declaration of acceptance of office

The newly elected Mayor signed the declaration of acceptance of office.

To receive the Mayor’s appointment in writing of a Councillor of the Borough to be Deputy Mayor for the coming year.

The Mayor informed the Council that she had appointed Councillor David Yarrow as Deputy Mayor and her Escorts were to be Councillor Brian Stead and Mr Les Drussel.

Resolved: That the Deputy Mayor and the Mayor’s Escorts for the year be noted.

To receive announcements from the new Mayor

The Mayor thanked the Council for the honour of being appointed Mayor and advised Members that Reverend Derek Page would be her Chaplain for the year. The Mayor also indicated that her charities for the year would be Ear4U, P3 Navigator and Age Concern/Help the Aged.

Resolved: That the Mayor’s Chaplain and charities for the year be noted.

Presentations to:

1)     Past Mayor’s badge to Councillor Brian Crowe

2)     Past Mayoress’ badge to Mrs Clare Crowe

Councillor Ray Puddifoot moved a vote of thanks to the retired Mayor, Councillor Brian Crowe and his Mayoress, Mrs Clare Crowe. This was seconded by Councillor Mo Khursheed.  Councillors David Simmonds, Jill Rhodes, Andrew Retter, Jonathan Bianco, Philip Corthorne, Paul Harmsworth and John Riley spoke in support .

The Mayor (Councillor Shirley Harper-O’Neill) presented a Past Mayor’s badge to Councillor Brian Crowe and a Past Mayoress’ badge to Mrs Clare Crowe. 

The outgoing Mayor (Councillor Brian Crowe) then responded to the vote of thanks and presented gifts to the Mayoral support staff.

Resolved: That the vote of thanks to the Outgoing Mayor, Councillor Brian Crowe, be agreed.

Nominations were invited for the position of Leader of the Council. Councillor Ray Puddifoot was nominated by Councillor David Simmonds and this was seconded by Councillor Keith Burrows. There were no further nominations.

Resolved: That Councillor Ray Puddifoot be elected as Leader of the Council for the municipal year 2009/10. 

Nominations were invited for the position of Deputy Leader of the Council. Councillor David Simmonds was nominated by Councillor Ray Puddifoot and this was seconded by Councillor Jonathan Bianco. There were no further nominations.

Resolved: That Councillor David Simmonds be elected as Deputy Leader of the Council for the municipal year 2009/10.

To agree the number of Members to be appointed to the Cabinet, their portfolios and to appoint those Members to the Cabinet on the recommendation of the Leader

Upon the nomination of the Leader, Council approved the size of Cabinet and appointed to it as follows:

Resolved: That the Cabinet Members and Cabinet Assistant be appointed to Cabinet.

To consider some recommended changes to the Constitution

Councillor Puddifoot moved that the Council’s Constitution be updated to:

·        include details of the Councillor Call for Action (CCfA) process and exclusions

·        include provision within the terms of reference of the External Services Scrutiny Committee to reflect the requirements of the Crime and Disorder (Overview and Scrutiny) Regulations 2009, and

·        state that, when a proposed development falling within a Conservation Area was being considered by a Planning Committee, a representative from the relevant Area Panel would be entitled to attend and address the Committee for a maximum of five minutes.

These amendments were seconded by Councillor Simmonds.

Resolved: That the Head of Democratic Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to:

a)     amend the Policy Overview Committees’ terms of reference within the Constitution to allow for consideration of CCfA on areas within their remit;

b)     include provision within the terms of reference of the External Services Scrutiny Committee to reflect the requirements of the Crime and Disorder (Overview and Scrutiny) Regulations 2009 (in consultation with the Chairman of that Committee);

c)     amend the Constitution to reflect the speaking rights for Area Conservation Panel members at Planning Committees with immediate effect.

To appoint Members to Committees and decide the number of Members and party allocations.

Councillor George Cooper moved that the proposals on memberships, as set out in Agenda Item 13 and on the lilac coloured sheets circulated at the meeting, be agreed.

This was seconded by Councillor Markham.

Resolved: That:

1.      the party allocations to places on Committees be agreed, as set out in Appendix A attached to minutes; and

2.      the Members be appointed to Committees as set out in Appendix B attached to the minutes.

To make any changes in membership as recommended by the appropriate Chief Whip

(Copies of the full lists to follow)

Councillor George Cooper moved and Councillor Markham seconded the recommendations for membership of statutory outside bodies and internal bodies contained in the lemon coloured sheets circulated at the meeting with the following amendments:

·        Associated Joint Committee – Appoint Councillor Sandra Jenkins to replace Councillors Andrew Retter and George Cooper at the Deputy.

·        Heathrow Local Focus Forum – Appoint Councillor Graham Horn.

·        Hillingdon Narrowboats Advisory Committee – Appoint Councillor David Routledge.

·        London Drug Policy Forum – Appoint Councillor David Routledge.

·        Brigginshaw & Others Charitable Trusts – Amend representation ratio to 7C-3L-1LD and appoint Councillor Brian Stead.

Resolved: That the changes in Membership to the statutory and other outside and internal bodies, as set out in Appendix C, be approved.

To receive the Annual Report

The Council received a report of the work covered by the Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committees in 2008/09. It was commended by Councillor Richard Lewis.

It was noted that the Committees had effectively undertaken numerous successful reviews during the year and Cabinet was thanked for its endorsements of the recommendations considered during this period.

Thanks was also given to the Members on the Committees and Working Groups, officers, the public, outside experts and partner organisations who participated so effectively in the reviews undertaken.

Resolved: That the Policy Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2008/9 be endorsed.

To receive a progress report from the Leader of the Council

The Leader of the Council introduced the Annual Report on the Council Plan “Fast Forward to 2010”. The Annual Report set out what was expected to be achieved as well as the Council’s actual achievements in 2008-09:

·        Service improvements had been delivered and the Council had achieved £13m of efficiency savings.

·        The latest residents’ survey had shown record satisfaction levels with services, and improvements had been made across a range of services.

·        Council Tax had been frozen for all Hillingdon residents.

·        The Council would continue to oppose the Third Runway at Heathrow Airport on behalf of the residents.

·        The Council would continue to introduce initiatives to enhance the quality of life for Hillingdon residents. 

·        The Hillingdon First residents’ card would be introduced later this year.

Resolved: That the report be noted.