Agenda and minutes

Prayers were said by Pastor Derek Page.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Seaman-Digby.

To note any declarations of interest in any matter before the Council

A briefing note regarding Declarations of Interest had been circulated to new Members. 

To note the results of the election of Councillors for the London Borough of Hillingdon held on 6 May 2010 and the political balance of the Council based on Group Declarations received

RESOLVED:  That the report and the political balance of the Council be noted. 

To elect a Mayor of the London Borough of Hillingdon to hold office from 13 May 2010 until his or her successor becomes entitled to act as Mayor.

The Mayor thanked the Council for the opportunity that she had been afforded over the last 12 months.  During her term of office, the Mayor had attended a variety of functions and identified her trip to Holland with the Normandy veterans as one of the highlights of the year.  The Mayor stated that she had learnt so much and it had been a delight to meet so many people from all age groups. 

She went on to thank everyone that had been involved in fundraising for the Mayor’s charities.  The Mayor also thanked Council officers, her two Escorts, Councillor Stead and Mr Les Drussell, and their wives. 

Nominations were invited for a Mayor to hold office for the 2010/11 municipal year.  Councillor Yarrow was nominated by Councillor D Mills and seconded by Councillor Barratt.  There were no further nominations. 

RESOLVED:  That Councillor David Yarrow be elected as Mayor for the municipal year 2010/11.

The Council adjourned for robing of the new Mayor at 7.50pm and reconvened at 8.05pm.

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 he had appointed Councillor O’Connor as Deputy Mayor and that her Escorts would be Miss Claire Moore and Mr Tim McCarthy.

RESOLVED: That the Deputy Mayor and the Deputy 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 his charities for the year would be Hillingdon Autistic Care and Support and Hillingdon Food Bank.  With regard to restricted speaking times at Council meetings, the Mayor advised that, in future, Members would not be given warning that their speaking time had almost ended.

Presentations of Past Mayor and Past Mayor’s Escort badges

Councillor Puddifoot moved a vote of thanks to the retired Mayor, Councillor Harper-O’Neill and her Escorts, Councillor Stead and Mr Les Drussell.  This was seconded by Councillor Khursheed.  Councillors Barnes and Kauffman spoke in support.

The Mayor (Councillor Yarrow) presented a Past Mayor’s badge to Councillor Harper-O’Neill and Past Escorts badges to Councillor Stead and Mr Les Drussell.  The Escorts’ wives were presented with flowers.

RESOLVED:  That the vote of thanks to the Outgoing Mayor, Councillor Harper-O’Neill, be agreed.

To elect a Leader of the Council for the next four year period

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

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Puddifoot be elected as Leader of the Council. 

To note the appointment by the Leader of the Council of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet

Councillor Puddifoot advised Members that the Deputy Leader and Cabinet positions would be filled as follows:

To consider proposed amendments to the Constitution

Councillor Puddifoot moved that the proposed changes to the Council’s Constitution as set out on the main agenda be approved and include the following amendments to paragraph 6 (b) of the report in respect of the Cabinet and Officer Scheme of Delegations:

• New Cabinet delegation (Article 7):  ‘To approve individual temporary and agency workers of a value over £50k.’
• New Cabinet Member delegation (Article 7):  ‘To give final approval to individual agency and temporary workers between a value of £5k and £50k.’
• New delegation to the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive and all Corporate Directors in Part 3 – Officer Scheme of Delegations:  ‘To recommend to the relevant Cabinet Member for final approval individual agency and temporary workers between a value of £5k and £50k.’

These amendments were seconded by Councillor Simmonds and it was:

RESOLVED: That the changes be incorporated into the Council’s Constitution. 

To decide the number and size of Council committees and allocate Members to serve on those committees based on the political balance of the Council where required

Councillor G Cooper moved that the proposals on memberships, as set out in Agenda Item 12 on the lilac coloured sheets, be agreed.  This was seconded by Councillor Markham.

RESOLVED: That the Members be appointed to Committees as set out in Appendix A attached to the minutes.

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

Councillor G Cooper moved and Councillor Markham seconded the recommendations for membership of statutory outside bodies and internal bodies with the following amendments:

• Hillingdon Community Police and Consultative Group – Appoint Councillor Morgan to replace Councillor Melvin.
• William Byrd Pool Trust – Appoint Councillor Bridges to replace ex-Councillor Santokh Dhillon.
• Ruislip Woods Management Advisory Group – Appoint Councillor Morgan to the vacancy.

RESOLVED:  That:

1.      the changes in Membership to the statutory and other outside and internal bodies, as set out in Appendix B, be approved; and

2.      additional changes to the Membership be made by the relevant Whip in consultation with the Head of Democratic Services.

To receive the annual report

The Council received a report of the work covered by the Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committees in 2009/10.  It was commended by Councillor Lewis and seconded by Councillor Dann.

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 were 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 2009/10 be endorsed.

In accordance with the provisions of the Constitution to receive, without comment, a statement by the Leader of the Council.

The Leader of the Council pledged to continue the Council’s record of delivery for residents under four main themes:

Our People

• To build on the success of the Hillingdon First Card, expanding on its use and benefits, and to consider the benefits of a junior version.
• To continue the Leaders’ Initiative for older residents.
• To continue the Hillingdon First Time Buyers Scheme.
• To continue to ensure that all children in need and at risk were protected and that services were provided for them.

Our Natural Environment

• To continue to improve parks and open spaces.
• To continue to deliver the Chrysalis programme.
• To continue the weekly refuse and recycling collection.
• To continue to defend residents against inappropriate development by builders and the Government.
• To continue to promote civic pride in the natural environment.

Our Built Environment

• To refurbish and improve Highgrove swimming pool.
• To provide additional classrooms and facilities to provide sufficient places for the expanding population in Primary schools.
• To rebuild, or refurbish and extend Secondary schools.
• To complete the programme for rebuilding or refurbishing all 17 libraries.
• To work with the PCT to provide good quality healthy facilities including a brand new health centre in Yiewsley.
• To continue to provide good quality housing and management to residents.
• To continue the town centre improvement programme.
• To continue to invest in improving roads and footpaths,
• To continue to protect and encourage civic pride in Hillingdon’s heritage and historic buildings.
• To continue the programme of road safety initiatives and new pedestrian crossings.
• To extend the ‘Stop & Shop’ schemes in local shopping areas.

Financial Management

• To freeze Council Tax for the over 65s for a further four years.
• To maintain either 0% or the lowest possible rise in Council Tax for all residents.
• To reduce the cost of running the Council by £50m whilst maintaining the level of service to residents.
• To restructure the Council to enable it to operate more efficiently.
• To continue to provide residents using the Hillingdon First card with the cheapest car parking in London.
• To continue to recognise the effect of the economic recession on residents by either maintaining the freeze on Council fees and charges or keeping any increase to a minimum.

The Leader stated that the future for Hillingdon was bright in that a formal announcement had been made regarding the cancellation of plans for a third runway at Heathrow airport.  He congratulated and thanked residents, all Councillors and officers for their commitment to fighting the proposals.