The motion, as printed in the agenda was proposed by Councillor Carter and seconded by Councillor Snell. The motion read as follows:

The Council calls for the building operationally known as C03 to be renamed as the Town Hall and to be referred to as such in all communications.

Councillor Carter presented his motion by stating Grays had become over time a commuter town and to build and enhance a community there needed be a community town hall not a building called C03. The Town Hall would be at the heart of the community and a centre piece for growth and development. With significant investments to regenerate Grays it would be fitting that the Council’s newest building had the name which would be more in keeping with the community. Councillor Carter urged all members to vote in favour of this motion.

An amendment to this motion had been received from Councillor Byrne and seconded by Councillor Smith and read as follows:

The Council calls for the building operationally known as C03 to be renamed as the Town Hall and to be referred to as such in all communications when it is in a fit state to warrant ‘town hall’ status.

Councillor Byrne presented his amended motion by stating the building was nowhere near ready to warrant the town hall status. Councillor Byrne continued to state the Council did not warrant a town hall based on the mess of the borough and the mess that everything else was in. When the building work had been finalised and the borough was on a better track then maybe then the building would warrant the town hall status.

Councillor J Kent stated a town hall was a place for entertainment and a place for municipal debate so therefore he had an issue in the name change to Town Hall. Councillor J Kent stated this may have been a missed opportunity to rename the building “King Charles III Centre” and confirmed that he would not be supporting the motion nor the amendment.

Councillor M Coxshall understood Councillor J Kent’s point, but the new building had venues and halls with the new building having a more welcoming ceremony suite. The renaming of the building had to be for resident to recognise where they would meet their elected representatives, at the Town Hall, not to a named building. Councillor M Coxshall also agreed with Councillor Byrne’s points and had apologised, but the council needed to move forward with a new chamber, new leader and a new start, starting with the Town Hall name.

Councillor Fish stated the building was not welcoming for disabled users with very poor access to and from the building and questioned when this would be improved. Councillor M Coxshall agreed that the building was unwelcoming and agreed to get this right, but the name change would be fitting for the building as it was in the right place.

Councillor Worrall raised her concerns on the inadequate safety measures that should be in place to protect members leaving the offices late at night, she had concerns over the lack of lifts, disability access and that some of the glass panels were lose and very dangerous. 

Councillor Redsell agreed with Councillor Worrall’s comments on the concerns of safety and inadequate disability access. Councillor Redsell stated that C03 needed a name and that Town Hall sounded good for a building in the centre of the town.

Councillor Snell agreed with Councillor Redsell’s comments, that it would be nicer for C03 to have a name especially for those residents using the Mulberry Suite for wedding services.

Councillor Byrne stated C03 was in no fit state to be called a town hall.

Councillor Carter stated Thurrock had to look to the future and had been surprised by the defeated attitude this evening. The change of name would create a new community hub and promote Grays as a commuter town into London. Councillor Carter acknowledged there were more issues facing the Council but the renaming of the C03 would connect more within the community and urged all members to vote in favour of the motion.

The Mayor called a vote on the amended motion. With the majority of votes against the amendment the Mayor called a vote on the substantive motion to which with 30 votes for and 10 votes against the substantive motion was carried.