Report of the Senior Democratic Services Officer

The scrutiny committee received a report of the Senior Democratic Services Officer.  This provided details of a potential scrutiny review about the issues of importance to Watford’s Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, including street naming in the borough and the authority’s policy for naming streets going forward.  The scrutiny suggestion followed two separate motions from Councillors Ezeifedi and Khan debated and agreed at Full Council on 14 July 2020.

Following publication of the agenda, Councillor Mauthoor had withdrawn her nomination to participate in the task group.  However, there remained six nominations for five available places.  In addition, two nominations had been received to chair the task group.  Scrutiny members were therefore asked to vote on the final composition of the task group.

In accordance with Standing Committee Procedure Rules, paragraph 4.4, as an equal division of votes had been cast for the two nominations to chair the scrutiny task group, the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee used her casting vote to determine the appointment.

RESOLVED –

1.          that a new task group be established to review the issues of importance to Watford’s Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, including street naming in the borough and the authority’s policy for naming streets going forward;

2.          that the Watford’s Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Task Group comprises Councillors Allen-Williamson, Ezeifedi, Jeffree, Khan and Pattinson;

3.          that Councillor Ezeifedi be appointed chair of the task group.