Council and democracy

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Offices, New Road, Grays, Essex, RM17 6SL. View directions

Contact: Jenny Shade, Senior Democratic Services Officer  Email: Direct.Democracy@thurrock.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

Tunde Ojetola, the Mayor of Thurrock, took the Chair for Minute Nos. 1, 2 and 3.

Following the election of the new Mayor of Thurrock, Councillor B Rice took the

Chair for the remainder of the business.

 

The Mayor invited Reverend Canon Darren Barlow to lead those present in prayer.

1.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 185 KB

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council, held on 28 February 2018.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Minutes of the Meeting of Council held on the 28 February 2018 were approved as a correct record.

2.

To elect and install the Mayor for the municipal year 2018/19

Minutes:

Nominations were invited for the election of Mayor for the Municipal Year 2018-19.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Gerrish, and seconded by Councillor G Rice, that Councillor B Rice be elected Mayor of the Borough and Chair of the Council for the Municipal Year 2018-19.

 

The Mayor declared that Councillor B Rice had been duly elected as Mayor of the Borough and Chair of the Council for the Municipal Year 2018-19.

 

Councillor B Rice signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and also received the chains of office.

 

The new elected Mayor, Councillor B Rice, made a short speech thanking the Council for the privilege and honour of being elected as the Mayor of Thurrock and thanked all Councillors for their support. Councillor B Rice stated that Thurrock residents deserved to see Councillors conducting the business of Thurrock Council in a fair and equitable manner, with dignity and respect and would be firm but fair in her role as Mayor when conducting Full Council meetings.

 

The Mayor presented Tunde Ojetola and his Consort, Bunmi Ojetola, with their past Mayor’s and past consort’s badge.

 

Councillor Gledhill stated it was a shame to see any Mayor or Councillor leave and thanked Tunde Ojetola for his services as a Councillor and congratulated him on having had such a fantastic year as Mayor. Councillor Gledhill wished Tunde Ojetola well and hoped that he would now enjoy some free time.

 

Councillor Gerrish echoed the Leaders comments and stated that Tunde Ojetola as his time as Mayor had attended a large amount of events, that he had championed lots of young people, was admired and was passionate about the role and should proudly take those positive memories away with him.

 

Councillor Spillman thanked Tunde Ojetola for being kind, courteous and helpful as his time as Mayor and that he would not be surprised to him back in the chamber soon.

 

Councillor Redsell thanked Tunde Ojetola for the hard work undertaken as his time as Mayor and that this was appreciated by all.

 

Councillor MacPherson thanked Tunde Ojetola for being kind and caring and that he would be missed as a Councillor.

 

Tunde Ojetola thanked Members for their kind words and support. That he had enjoyed his time representing the borough of Thurrock and that the Council had one common purpose which was Thurrock residents.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That Councillor B Rice be duly elected as Mayor of the Borough and Chair of the Council for the Municipal Year 2018-19.

 

 

3.

Items of Urgent Business

To receive additional items that the Mayor is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency, in accordance with Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Minutes:

The Mayor informed the Council that she had not agreed to the consideration of any items of urgent business.

4.

To elect and install the Deputy Mayor for the municipal year 2018/19

Minutes:

Nominations were invited for the election of Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2018-19.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Gledhill and seconded by Councillor Churchman that Councillor Piccolo be appointed Deputy Mayor of Thurrock for 2018-19.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Spillman and seconded by Councillor Duffin that Councillor Aker be appointed Deputy Mayor of Thurrock for 2018-19.

 

The Mayor called a vote on the nominations made.

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor Piccolo to be the next Deputy Mayor for the municipal year 2018-19.

 

Councillor Piccolo signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and also received the chains of office.

 

Councillor Piccolo then made a short speech to accept the honour of being appointed as Deputy Mayor and thanked Members for their support.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That Councillor Piccolo be appointed Deputy Mayor of the Borough and Vice-Chair of the Council for the municipal year 2018-19.

5.

Declaration of Interests

To receive any declaration of interests from Members.

Minutes:

No interests were declared.

6.

Announcements on behalf of the Mayor or the Leader of the Council

Minutes:

Firstly the Mayor invited all those present to reflect and remember Thurrock’s fallen during World War One.

 

The Mayor took the opportunity to thank Michael Stone for his role as Deputy Mayor and wished him well.

 

The Mayor was pleased to announce that Councillor G Rice had agreed to be her Consort. Councillor G Rice was asked to step forward and receive the Consort’s Chain.

 

The Mayor confirmed that the Deputy Mayor Consort would be Joan Piccolo. Joan Piccolo was asked to step forward and receive the Consort’s Chain.

 

The Mayor announced that her charities for the Mayoral Year would be the Thurrock Branch of the RNLI, GIFT and the Community Chest.

 

Furthermore, the Mayor announced that her Mayoral Chaplain would be Reverend Canon Darren Barlow.

 

The Mayor then invited Councillor Gledhill to make any announcements he wished to make as Leader of the Council.

 

The Leader announced that he had received earlier today the news that former Councillor John Everett had sadly passed away and sent condolences to his family.

 

The Leader of the Council paid tribute to the appointment of Councillor B Rice as the new Mayor of Thurrock and to Councillor Piccolo as the new Deputy Mayor of Thurrock. Councillor Gledhill also welcomed back new members to the chamber.

 

The Leader of the Council then informed Members of the changes to the appointments he had made to Cabinet, together with the details of their respective portfolios.

 

Councillor Gledhill

Leader and Portfolio Holder for Public Protection and Anti-Social Behaviour

Councillor Hebb

Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance

Councillor Collins

Portfolio Holder for Central Services

Councillor Coxshall

Portfolio Holder for Regeneration

Councillor Halden

Portfolio Holder for Education and Health

Councillor Huelin

Portfolio Holder for Communities

Councillor Johnson

Portfolio Holder for Housing

Councillor Little

Portfolio Holder for Children and Adult Social Care

Councillor Watkins

Portfolio Holder for Environment and Highways

 

The Mayor requested that a one minute’s silence was held as a mark of respect to former Councillor John Everett who had sadly passed away.

 

7.

Committees and their Terms of Reference pdf icon PDF 63 KB

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council presented the report and proposed the recommendations as printed in the report.

 

Upon being put to the vote, Members voted unanimously in favour of the recommendations, whereupon the Mayor declared these to be carried.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.         That the Overview and Scrutiny Committees listed in paragraph 3.2 of the report be established for the 2018-19 municipal year, with their terms of reference being  those set out in Chapter 4 of the Constitution.

 

2.         That the Committees listed in paragraph 3.4 of the report be established for the 2018-19 municipal year, with their terms of reference being those set out in Chapter 5 of the Constitution.

8.

Allocation of Committee seats and Committee appointments pdf icon PDF 76 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Mayor informed Members that the nominations of Group Leaders to the places allocated on committees, and the nominations for Chairs and Vice Chairs of committees had been received.

 

The nominations made to Committees for the municipal year 2018-19, together with the nominations for the positions of Chair and Vice Chair, were set out in a booklet tabled for Members.

 

The Leader of the Council briefly introduced the report, which requested the Council to confirm the calculations relating to the allocation of seats on committees and also to appoint the nominations made by political groups to committees.

 

In addition, the report also requested the Council to appoint the Chairs and Vice-Chairs. Councillor Gledhill stated that the Conservative Party would not be nominating Chair or Vice Chairs on overview and scrutiny committees therefore these positions were open for the opposition parties to fill.

 

Councillor Gledhill stated that the 3 extra unallocated seats gained by the Conservative Party as part of the manual adjustment be allocated to Thurrock Independents. If these seats were not accepted, Councillor Gledhill stated that he would announce the allocated members to those 3 seats at the June Full Council.

 

Councillor Gledhill stated that he would like to make 3 changes to the nomination booklet.

 

On the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee replace Councillor Collins with Councillor Hague.

 

On the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee replace Councillor Collins with Councillor Maney.

 

On the Licensing Committee replace Councillor Collins with Councillor Maney as the nomination for Chair.

 

Councillor Gerrish stated that he would like to make 1 change to the nomination booklet.

 

On the Corporate Parenting Committee withdraw Councillor Liddiard as the nomination for Vice Chair.

 

Councillor Spillman stated he had no changes to make to the nomination booklet and that the Thurrock Independents would not be accepting the 3 unallocated seats.

 

The Mayor then called for a separate vote to be undertaken in respect of each of the contested nominations for Chairs and Vice Chairs of Committees.

 

The results of each vote are set out below:

 

Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor Gerrish over Councillor Duffin to be Chair.

 

Therefore Councillor Gerrish was appointed Chair and by default Councillor Duffin was appointed Vice Chair of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor G Rice over Councillor Spillman to be Chair.

 

Therefore Councillor G Rice was appointed Chair and by default Councillor Spillman was appointed Vice Chair of the Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

Planning Transport and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor Kerin over Councillor Smith to be Chair.

 

Therefore Councillor Kerin was appointed Chair and by default Councillor Smith was appointed Vice Chair of the Planning Transport and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

Standards and Audit Committee

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor Fish over Councillor Cherry to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Appointments to Outside Bodies, Statutory and Other Panels pdf icon PDF 63 KB

Minutes:

The nominations of the political groups to Outside Bodies, Statutory and Other Panels were detailed in the supplementary booklet tabled for Members.

 

The Leader presented the report in respect of the appointments required to be made to Outside Bodies, Statutory and Other Panels.

 

The Mayor called for a separate vote to be undertaken in respect of each of the contested nominations for appointments to Outside Bodies, Statutory and Other Panels.

 

Councillor Gledhill stated he would like to withdraw his nomination from the Citizens Advice Bureau Management Committee. Therefore this appointment was no longer contested.

 

Councillor Gerrish stated that he would like to make 2 changes to the nomination booklet.

 

On the Impulse Leisure to withdraw Councillor Liddiard’s nomination.

 

On the Thurrock Sports Council to withdraw Councillor Liddiard’s nomination. Therefore this appointment was no longer contested.

 

Councillor B Rice stated she would like to withdraw her nomination from the Campaign to Protect Rural Essex. Therefore this appointment was no longer contested.

 

The results of each vote are set out below:

 

Coalhouse Fort Project

 

The result of the vote: Councillor C Kent (16), Councillor Watkins (20), Councillor Sammons (12). With Councillor Sammons receiving the least number of votes a further vote was undertaken. The majority of the chamber then voted in favour of Councillor Watkins over Councillor C Kent.

 

Therefore Councillor Watkins was appointed the representative of the Council on the Coalhouse Fort Project.

 

Police Fire and Crime Panel

 

The result of the vote: Councillor Okunade (16), Councillor Anderson (20), Councillor Smith (12). With Councillor Smith receiving the least number of votes a further vote was undertaken. The majority of the chamber then voted in favour of Councillor Anderson over Councillor Okunade.

 

Therefore Councillor Anderson was appointed the representative of the Council on the Police Fire and Crime Panel.

 

Impulse Leisure

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor Hague over Councillor Smith.

 

Therefore Councillor Hague was appointed the representative of the Council on the Impulse Leisure.

 

Open Door (Thurrock)

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor Churchman over Councillor Worrall.

 

Therefore Councillor Churchman was appointed the representative of the Council on the Open Door (Thurrock).

 

The Mayor advised that following the changes detailed above there were no longer any contested appointments to the nominations to Outside Bodies, Statutory and Other Panels. Members voted unanimously in favour of the nominations made, thereupon the Mayor declared these to be carried.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.         That the uncontested nominations to Outside Bodies, Statutory and Other Panels as circulated during the meeting, be approved.

 

2.         That the contested nominations to Outside Bodies, Statutory and Other Panels as voted and agreed upon during the meeting, be approved.

 

3.         That in accordance with Committee Procedure Rule 13.2 “Participation of Appointed Members” all Elected Members be required to undertake a DBS within 2 months of taking up their role.

10.

Schedule of Meetings 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 55 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

The Leader of the Council briefly introduced the report. A copy of the schedule of meetings for 2018-2019 was included in the Agenda at Appendix 1 to the report.

 

Councillor Gerrish stated that the Labour Group Meetings would now be held on the Monday preceding Full Council.

 

Councillor Gerrish also stated that September Full Council date conflicted with the Labour Conference. The Leader replied saying this matter would be looked into.

 

Members agreed to note the recommendation.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the Schedule of Meetings for 2018-19 be approved.

11.

Schedule of Elections and Order of Retirement of Councillors pdf icon PDF 58 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council briefly introduced the report which informed the Council of the schedule of elections to be held between 2019 and 2022.

 

Members agreed to note the recommendation.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the schedule of elections from 2019 to 2022 and order of retirement of Councillors be noted.