Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Crout and Topping.

There were no disclosures of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 May 2015 to be submitted and signed. 

Copies of the minutes of this meeting are usually available seven working days following the meeting.

(All minutes are available on the Council’s website.)

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 May 2015 were submitted and signed.

Mrs Sheila Jones

The Chairman informed Council of the death of Mrs Sheila Jones, who had been the Civic Mayor in 2002/03 and a Councillor from 1988-1996 and 1997-2004.  Mrs Jones had passed away on Sunday 21 June.  The Chairman had written to the family expressing the Council’s condolences.  She invited everyone to stand and observe a minute’s silence in memory of Mrs Jones.

Councillor Mehta, the Mayor and Councillor Bell all paid tribute to Mrs Jones on behalf of their groups.

Audentior Awards

The Chairman announced that the nomination period for the Audentior Awards was open.  Nominations should be submitted by 7 July.  The link had been forwarded to all Councillors and was available on the Council’s website.

Armed Forces Day

The Chairman advised that on Monday she had raised the flag outside the Town Hall to promote Armed Forces Day.  On Saturday she would be attending an event with the Royal British Legion to mark the day.

Big Events

The Chairman stated that the Big Festival had started on 20 June and would run until 4 July.  Most events were free and the majority took place in the Parade.  She asked Members to go along and support the shows.

A report of the Mayor had been circulated with the agenda.

The Chairman invited Members to indicate whether they wished to ask a question of the Mayor.  Councillors Bashir, Bolton, Haley, Turmaine, Connal, Khan, S Williams, Silver, Rogers, Shah and Bell indicated that they wished to ask questions.

   a)            Councillor Bashir congratulated the Mayor on her sponsored fast in aid of the Watford Youth Centre.  He hoped that it had not been too taxing.  She had raised money for a worthy cause. 

                  Councillor Bashir said that his question related to the Croxley Rail Link.  He welcomed the progress that had been made.  He asked the Mayor if she could update Council on whether there was any progress on securing the future of Watford Metropolitan line station

                  The Mayor said that she had fasted for a full 24 hours as she had not been aware that she could get up in the night and eat.  She added that she had read about it and it had helped in understanding the benefits of fasting, which was relevant for all religions.  She advised that she had raised a few thousand pounds for the Tolpits Lane centre.  All funds helped the group to reach their final total.

                  The Mayor informed Council that the Croxley Rail Link should now be referred to as the extension of the Metropolitan line.  All works were on track although there had been some slippage in the timetable, which for the size of the project was inevitable and was allowed for in the plan.  Since the first day, Transport for London and the County Council felt that the closure of the Watford Metropolitan station was the price to be paid in order to benefit the rest of Watford.  In carrying out a critical analysis of the cost benefit of the proposal put forward, the Mayor said she had made it work.  They had not assumed the station would have to close.  Park Ward Councillors had worked hard on this topic and continued to do so.  She would continue to try to persuade those in charge to find a way to retain the station, particularly at peak times.

   b)            Councillor Bolton asked if the Mayor was as shocked as he was following the recent announcement by the County Council to cut funding to the exceptional work of Home-Start.  This would leave needy families having to be supported by Children’s Centres, who were already very busy and may lack some of the skills required to deal with the complex issues of some families.

                  The Mayor responded that she was not really shocked by the announcement, but she was disappointed.  She said that the local government cuts were starting to bite.  The Local Government Association had carried out a full critique of how councils had been affected by the cuts.  It had shown that districts had fared the best and shire counties had fared the worst.  She advised that she understood the position the County Council was in.  However, she questioned whether  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

The Chairman reported that a question had been received from Councillor Bell.

The question and response were circulated at the meeting and are attached to the minutes as Appendix 1.

The following question has been received from Sara Jane Trebar and is directed to the Council Chairman, Councillor Kareen Hastrick

“Now Watford Council is more politically balanced after the recent local elections should councillors consider debating the retention of an elected mayor past 2018 and to give Watford residents a yes/no vote alongside the full local council elections in 2016?”

The following question has been received from Andrew Moore and is directed to the Portfolio Holder, Councillor Derek Scudder

“In response to a recent question raised by Councillor Bell at the full council meeting in March 2015 in relation to allotment applications, Paul Rabbitts state “that there had not been a steady decline in allotment applications year on year since 2009”.  As Mr Rabbitt’s did not produce any information to substantiate this statement, please can he provide the total number of allotment applications by calendar year from the beginning 2009 to the end of 2014.”

Council was informed that questions had been received from Sara Jane Trebar and Andrew Moore.  The questions and answers are attached to the minutes as Appendix 2.

No petitions had been received.

There was no urgent business.

The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Khan and seconded by Councillor Bashir:

“We call upon Watford Borough Council to ensure that burial provision is provided in Watford cemeteries on weekends and bank holidays from this year.  This is to ensure that the service meetings the needs of all residents of Watford and that a distressful time is not made worse by a delay in burials.”

      Council was informed that one motion had been received.

      The following motion was proposed by Councillor Khan and seconded by Councillor Bashir –

      “We call upon Watford Borough Council to ensure that burial provision is provided in Watford cemeteries on weekends and bank holidays from this year.  This is to ensure that the service meets the needs of all residents of Watford and that a distressful time is not made worse by a delay in burials.”

      The following amendment was moved by Mayor Thornhill and seconded by Councillor Sharpe –

      “That the motion as printed be referred to the Cabinet to consider when it receives the report and recommendations from the current cemeteries review.”

      Members debated the motion and amendment.

      The amendment was put to Council.

      In accordance with paragraph 18.4, Part 4 Rules of Procedures of the Council’s Constitution, the requisite number of Councillors demanded a named vote.

      Those Members voting in favour of the amendment:

      Chairman Councillor Hastrick, Mayor Thornhill, Councillors Bolton, I Brown, J Brown, Collett, Counter, Derbyshire, Hofman, Johnson, Martins, Rindl, Scudder, Sharpe, Taylor, Walford, Watkin and T Williams

      Those Members voting against the amendment

      Councillors Bashir, Bell, Connal, Dhindsa, Ewudo, Haley, Joynes, Khan, Mauthoor, Mehta, Mills, Rogers, Shah, Silver, Turmaine, Whitman and S Williams

      The amendment was AGREED by 18 votes to 17.

      On being put to Council the substantive motion was AGREED.

      RESOLVED –

      We call upon Watford Borough Council to ensure that burial provision is provided in Watford cemeteries on weekends and bank holidays from this year.  This is to ensure that the service meets the needs of all residents of Watford and that a distressful time is not made worse by a delay in burials.

      That the motion as printed be referred to the Cabinet to consider when it receives the report and recommendations from the current cemeteries review.

Report of Head of Democracy and Governance

Council received a report of the Head of Democracy and Governance setting out requirements to amend the procedure rules relating to the dismissal of the Council’s statutory officers in order to comply with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2015.

RESOLVED –

that the Council Procedure Rules relating to the appointment and dismissal of Chief Officers as attached at appendix 1 to the report be approved.

Report of the Managing Director

Council received a report of the Managing Director which outlined Watford Town Centre Partnership’s proposals for the creation of a Watford Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID).

RESOLVED –

that Council ratifies the BID business proposal attached as appendix 1 to the report and authorises the Returning Officer to conduct a ballot of eligible non domestic rate payers within the proposed BID area.

Report of Head of Democracy and Governance

Council received a report of the Head of Democracy and Governance informing Members of the deliberations of the Boundary Review Group, which had met on three occasions in June.

The Chairman advised that she would be, with the agreement of Council, suspending standing orders to enable each mover to have up to 10 minutes to present their Group’s proposals.

Councillors Mehta, for the Conservative Group, Councillor Khan, for the Labour Group, and Councillor Sharpe, for the Liberal Democrat Group, presented their proposals.  The proposals are attached as Appendices 3, 4 and 5 respectively.

Members were then invited to vote on each submission.

On being put to Council, the Conservative submission, Appendix 3 to these minutes, was LOST.

On being put to Council, the Labour submission, Appendix 4 to these minutes, was LOST.

On being put to Council, the Liberal Democrat submission, Appendix 5 to these minutes, was AGREED.

RESOLVED –

                   that the Liberal Democrat proposal, attached as Appendix 5 to these minutes, be forwarded to the Boundary Commission as Watford Borough Council’s submission on the review of Ward Boundaries.