Councillor Shinnick said a few words to say it had been an absolute honour to represent the borough as Mayor of Thurrock. Although this had not been easy at times the positives had easily outweighed the negatives with some lovely memories being taken away and she would treasure every one of them. In her time as Mayor, she had met some inspiring residents and attended some amazing events held in the local communities.

Councillor Shinnick thanked all NHS workers, carers and community volunteers who had continued to support families and individuals across Thurrock. She thanked Councillor Liddiard for acting as her consort this year and extended thanks to all councillors, friends and family who had played their part in attending events that had supported her fund-raising events. Thanks were also given to Reverend Canon Darren Barlow, Georgia Martin and Member Services.

Lastly, Councillor Shinnick wished Councillor Halden good luck as he takes over his new role this evening and had no doubt that he would work hard to represent the council both in Thurrock and when attending events in neighbouring boroughs.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council, held on 23 February 2022.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on the 23 February 2022 were approved as a correct record.

Nominations were invited for the election of Mayor for the Municipal Year 2022/23.

It was proposed by Councillor Gledhill, and seconded by Councillor J Kent, that Councillor Halden be elected Mayor of the Borough and Chair of the Council for the Municipal Year 2022/23.

It was declared that Councillor Halden had been duly elected as Mayor of the Borough and Chair of the Council for the Municipal Year 2022/23.

Councillor Halden signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The new elected Mayor made a speech by thanking Councillor Shinnick for her efforts and services over the past year. Councillor Halden stated he had a profound belief in openness of democracy in Thurrock and with a belief in Thurrock’s potential he proposed that the theme for his mayoralty would be for the borough to be open for centuries more. With ambition, Councillor Halden believed that Thurrock would rival London’s square mile very shortly. Councillor Halden intends to roll out the red carpet for the borough and to launch a mayoral role of honour where there are communities, charities, industries, businesses, individuals and partners who are undertaking remarkable work and to honour those groups.

Councillor Halden’s mayoral charities would be the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Basildon University Hospital and have a main focus on Refugee Children, Families and those that support them.

Councillor Halden appointed Reverend Canon Darren Barlow as his Mayoral Chaplain.

Councillor Halden stated he was ready to get to work and promised to give every hour and all his energy to this role.

The Leader made thanks to Councillor Shinnick for her services during her year as Mayor and although a difficult year she had coped and had kept the dignity of council throughout this time. The Leader agreed that Councillor Halden would bring a different aspect and flare to this mayoral role in making Thurrock a better borough and looked forward to being part of that. 

Councillor J Kent welcomed the newly elected, re-elected and returning members this evening and stated that those who stood for their local council did so as they wanted to make a difference to their local community and wished them all well in their term of office. Councillor J Kent thanked Councillor Shinnick for her year of service and agreed the year should have been different as Councillor Shinnick had only chaired one meeting in the council chamber. Councillor J Kent stated Councillor Shinnick had no mayor’s parlour this year and thanked her for inviting members to join her in the new mayor’s parlour this evening and thanked Councillor Shinnick for the successful civic dinner. Throughout her year as Mayor, Councillor Shinnick had faced challenges with dignity and with a sense of humour, had been a fair and good-humoured chair and a great advocate for Thurrock and outside of Thurrock a great ambassador for Thurrock. Councillor J Kent congratulated Councillor Halden on his election for the year ahead and recognised he will be fair and partial at meetings which would be vital  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

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.

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

Nominations were invited for the election of Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2022/23.

It was proposed by Councillor Gledhill and seconded by Councillor Coxshall that Councillor Little be appointed Deputy Mayor of Thurrock for 2022/23.

It was proposed by Councillor J Kent and seconded by Councillor Worrall that Councillor Holloway be appointed Deputy Mayor of Thurrock for 2022/23.

A vote was undertaken on both nominations with 31 votes for Councillor Little and 14 votes to Councillor Holloway the Mayor declared that Councillor Little be duly elected as Deputy Mayor for the municipal year 2022/23.

Councillor Little paid thanks for her election to Deputy Mayor and would be happy to act as the mayor’s deputy and support him as much as possible. Councillor Little wished the new Mayor good luck in his new role.

Councillor Little confirm her consort would be Brian Little.

RESOLVED

That Councillor Little be appointed Deputy Mayor of the Borough and Vice-Chair of the Council for the municipal year 2022/23.

To receive any declaration of interests from Members.

No interests were declared.

The Leader started his announcements by welcoming all re-elected, new and returning members to the meeting this evening.

New Building – Opened early April for the first wedding ceremonies held in the Lacey Room and in the Mulberry Suite. Meeting had been held in committee rooms one and two separately with tonight’s event being the first meeting in both and it being transmitted live into the Mulberry Suite as a test to ensure other larger events can take place. The Leader had been informed that the public areas would start to open on 8 June, again to test its functionality. This would include private areas for those who truly need to see officers face to face and a discrete area for residents who had been made homeless to seat.

Members could see the open parts of the building had been finished to a high standard something that we are ensuring will be across the whole of building. The Council Chamber was progressing well but as with any construction project of this size had not been helped by the national, and indeed international, shortage and delay on materials or craftspeople. The Leader stated they would deliver a chamber that would stand for many generations to come.

This new wing of the Civic Offices was part of the exciting regeneration of Grays that we will see over the coming years and how the Council was financially backing the regeneration of the borough.

Jubilee Celebrations - Thurrock, much like the rest of the country, was getting ready to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee, the first time a monarch had reached this incredible milestone. Earlier this year new trees had been planted across the borough as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy. Those trees would each have a plaque commemorating the event and they would grow and thrive as they served as a living celebration of this auspicious year. The Leader announced that beacons would be lit in Bulphan, Coalhouse Point, Purfleet-on-Thames and Tilbury Fort on 2 June at 9.45pm, joining 1,500 beacons being lit throughout the country and commonwealth. The Leader thanked forums and charities for holding these events and to English Heritage for organising the event at Tilbury Fort. There would also be a series of activities in libraries with a special exhibition at Thurrock Museum as well as all the street parties and Big Jubilee Lunches taking place across the borough.

Commonwealth Baton - Thurrock would also be thrust into the spotlight on Friday 8 July when the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay will visit Thurrock during its final journey through the country this summer. Thurrock will be delighted to play a part in the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay, and the Port of Tilbury had the honour of welcoming the Baton through the London International Cruise.

Windrush 2022 - The motto ‘By Thames to all People of the World’ reflected the important role the River Thames, Tilbury Docks and Thurrock continued to play in facilitating world trade, travel and communication.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Leader of the Council introduced the report and thanked Sarah Cooper-James for the services that she had provided to Thurrock over the last eight years. To maintain that independence, the Leader proposed changes to the recommendations as amended below.

Members agreed with the amended recommendations.

RESOLVED

1.       That, for the purposes of section 28 of the Localism Act 2011, the Council agree to continue the appointment of Sarah Cooper-James as its Independent Persons until no later than the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2024.

2.       That the Council agree for the Monitoring Officer to immediately undertake further recruitment of Independent Persons to increase resilience in the standards arrangements of the Council. Any successful candidate will be recommended to Full Council to approve the appointment.

The Leader of the Council recommended the report be moved as written. Members agreed to the recommendations.

RESOLVED

1.         That the Overview and Scrutiny Committees listed in paragraph 3.2 of the report be established for the 2022/23 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 2022/23 municipal year, with their terms of reference being those set out in Chapter 5 of the Constitution.

The Mayor informed Members 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 2022/23, 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 recommended the report be moved as written.

Councillor Gledhill made the following amendments to the nominations received:

·       Offered a seat to Councillor Allen on the Planning, Transport and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

·       Offered the vice chair position to Councillor Allen on the Planning, Transport and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

·       Replaced Councillor Churchman with Councillor Thandi on the Planning Committee.

The Leader of the Opposition recommended the voting was undertaken as a slate block vote for those contested chair and vice positions. When put to the vote the majority of members agreed with the recommendation.

Members agreed to approve the recommendations.

RESOLVED

1.       That the allocation of seats, as set out in Appendix 1, was approved.

2.       That the nominations of the political groups to seats on committees were approved, as set out in Appendix 2.

3.       That the non-voting co-opted members of the Planning Committee, the Standards and Audit Committee, the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Corporate Parenting Committee were appointed.

4.       That the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of committees be appointed, as set out below:

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

The Leader of the Council recommended the report be moved as written with an amendment to add Councillor G Coxshall to the Local Government Association outside body.

The Leader of the Opposition recommended the voting was undertaken as a slate block vote for those contested outside body positions. When put to the vote the majority of members agreed with the recommendation.

RESOLVED

1.          That the nominations to Outside Bodies, Statutory and Other Panels was approved.

2.          That outside bodies, statutory and other panels to be appointed, as set out below.

The Leader of the Council introduced the report to which Members agreed the recommendation.

RESOLVED

That the Calendar of Meetings for 2022/23 was approved.

The Leader of the Council recommended the report be moved as written. Members agreed to note the recommendation.

RESOLVED

That the Schedule of Elections from 2023 to 2026 and Order of Retirement of Councillors was noted.