Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual meeting

Contact: Sandra Hancock  Email: democraticservices@watford.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

The outgoing Chairman welcomed everyone to the authority’s first virtual Annual Council meeting.  He introduced the councillors and officers present and advised members that they would be asked how they wished to vote at the end of each agenda item.  Advice was also given about the procedures to be followed should the internet live stream stop during the meeting.

1.

Election of Chairman

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Collett and seconded by Councillor Bell:

 

           “That Councillor Aga Dychton be elected Chairman of Watford Borough Council for the municipal year 2020/21.”

 

The motion, on being put to the meeting, was declared to be CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED –

 

           that Councillor Aga Dychton be elected Chairman of Watford Borough Council for the municipal year 2020/21.

 

           Councillor Khan advised that the ceremonial part of the meeting would take place later in the year when the town hall became available for use.

 

           The new Chairman made and delivered the declaration of acceptance of office according to law.  It was noted that the declaration would be signed at a later date.

 

2.

Election of Vice-Chairman

Minutes:

It was moved by the Chairman and seconded by Councillor Khan:

 

           “That Councillor Bilqees Mauthoor be elected Vice Chairman for the Municipal Year 2020/21.” 

 

The motion on being put to the meeting was declared to be CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED –

 

that Councillor Bilqees Mauthoor be elected Vice Chairman of Watford Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2020/21.

 

           The Managing Director then confirmed the appointment of Anna Falek as the Chairman’s Consort.

 

3.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence.

4.

Disclosure of Interests

Minutes:

There were no disclosures of interest.

5.

Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2020 to be approved. 

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2020 were approved.  It was noted the minutes would be signed once officers and members were able to return to the town hall.

6.

Official Announcements

Minutes:

The Chairman asked the meeting to observe a minute’s silence in memory of those who had lost their lives to Covid19 or who were still struggling to overcome the virus.

7.

Questions by Members of the Council under Council Procedure Rule 10.0

Minutes:

No questions had been received.

 

8.

Petitions presented under Council Procedure Rule 12.0

Minutes:

No petitions had been received.

9.

Business especially brought forward by the Chairman or the Head of Paid Service which in the opinion of the Chairman should be considered as a matter of urgency.

Minutes:

The Chairman invited the Mayor to make a statement to council.  The Mayor congratulated Councillors Dychton and Mauthoor on their appointments as Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively.  He thanked the outgoing Chairman, Councillor Khan, for his service to the town over the last year.

 

The Mayor updated Council on the authority’s response to Covid19.  He acknowledged the significant work undertaken by council staff, led by the new Managing Director, and applauded the community response to meet the needs of the people of Watford.  This work was on-going and would have significant implications, not least financial, for the council in the future.  A new corporate plan was being developed and would be considered by Cabinet in July.  The views of all members would be invited.

 

Councillor Bell, leader of the Labour group, added his thanks to the council’s staff and to the authority’s partners for their effective response to the Covid19 pandemic.  He highlighted the importance of targeting vulnerable groups in the local community and the need to avoid a return to austerity in the future.  Councillor Bell suggested that new social distancing rules provided an opportunity to make the town more pedestrian and cycle friendly.

10.

Notification of Constitution of Political Groups pdf icon PDF 361 KB

  • View the background to item 10.

Minutes:

The Democratic Services Manager reported receipt of notice under the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990 and Council Procedure Rule 24.0 about the formation of political groups.  The political group details were as follows:

 

Liberal Democrat Group

 

LeaderCouncillor       Karen Collett

Deputy Leader            Councillor Kareen Hastrick

Group Secretary        Councillor Peter Jeffree

 

Group Members        Mayor Taylor and Councillors Allen-Williamson, Bolton, Collett, Crout, Dychton, Grimston, Hamid, Hastrick, Hofman, Jeffree, J Johnson, S Johnson, Kloss, Martins, Parker, Pattinson, Saffery, Scudder, Sharpe, Stanton, Stiff, Stotesbury, Walford, Watkin, Wenham and Williams

 

Labour Group

 

Leader                           Councillor Nigel Bell

Deputy Leader            Councillor Favour Ezeifedi

Group Secretary        Councillor Matt Turmaine

 

Group Members        Councillors Bashir, Bell, Dhindsa, Ezeifedi, Khan, Mauthoor, Mills, Shah, Smith and Turmaine

 

 

11.

Notification to Council of Members of the Cabinet and Portfolio Holders pdf icon PDF 365 KB

  • View the background to item 11.

Minutes:

Council received a report of the Mayor setting out details of the Deputy Mayor, members of the Cabinet and Portfolio Holders and their responsibilities. 

 

RESOLVED –

 

that the appointments made by the Mayor be noted.

12.

Executive Scheme of Delegation pdf icon PDF 350 KB

  • View the background to item 12.

Minutes:

Council received a report of the Democratic Services Manager informing members that the Mayor had approved the Executive Scheme of Delegation with no changes from that currently set out in the Constitution.

 

RESOLVED –

 

that the unchanged Executive Scheme of Delegation approved by the Mayor be noted.

13.

Programme of meetings 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 364 KB

  • View the background to item 13.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council received a report of the Senior Democratic Services Officer including the programme of ordinary meetings of the Council for the municipal year 2020/21.  Groups had been consulted on the dates and given an opportunity to comment. 

 

RESOLVED –

 

that the timetable of meetings for 2020/21 be adopted.

14.

Establishment of Committees and Appointment of Chairs and Vice Chairs pdf icon PDF 414 KB

  • View the background to item 14.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council received a report of the Democratic Services Manager requesting:

 

a)          that Council unanimously agrees that the Standards Committee is not politically balanced as set out in paragraph 4.4.1 of the report;

 

b)         that Council agrees the establishment of politically balanced committees as set out in paragraph 4.1 of the report;

 

c)          that Council agrees the establishment of non-politically balanced committees as set out in paragraph 4.2 of the report;

 

d)         that Council agrees the appointment of members to politically balanced committees as set out in paragraph and 4.3.1 and Appendix 1 to the report;

 

e)          that Council appoints chairs and vice-chairs to committees listed in paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2 and Appendix 1 to the report.

 

The Chairman informed Council that there was an under subscription of two seats on the Housing Policy Advisory Group and one seat on the Sustainability Forum.  She asked for nominations for the remaining seats to be emailed to the Democratic Services Manager.

 

The Chairman moved the membership of the committees and sub committees as set out in appendix 1, subject to any additional nominations to the Housing Policy Advisory Group and Sustainability Forum outside the meeting. 

 

On being put to Council the nominations were AGREED.

 

The Chairman moved the appointments to chairs and vice chairs as circulated.

 

On being put to Council the nominations were AGREED.

 

RESOLVED –

 

1.          that Council unanimously agrees that the Standards Committee is not politically balanced.

 

2.          that the establishment of politically balanced committees be agreed as set out in the report.

 

3.          that the establishment of non-politically balanced committees be agreed as set out in the report.

 

4.          that the appointment of members to the politically balanced and non politically balanced committees, subject to further nominations being received to the Housing Policy Advisory Group and Sustainability Forum and as set out in Appendix 1 to these minutes, be agreed.

 

5.          that the Chairs and Vice Chairs to the politically balanced and non politically balanced committees as set out in Appendix 1 to these minutes be agreed.

15.

Appointment of Representatives of the Council on Outside Organisations 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 345 KB

  • View the background to item 15.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council received a report of the Democratic Services Manager including nominations to Council appointments on outside bodies and details of the Mayor’s appointments. 

 

RESOLVED –

 

1.          that Council appoints as its representatives on outside bodies those people listed in Appendix 2 to these minutes;

 

2.          that Council notes the appointments made by the Mayor to those organisations listed in Appendix 3 to these minutes. 

16.

Recommendations from Standards Committee 25 February 2020 pdf icon PDF 365 KB

  • View the background to item 16.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council received a report of the Group Head of Democracy and Governance.  This summarised the views of Standards Committee on recommendations made by the Committee for Standards in Public Life regarding best practice for councils on the operation of their Codes of Conduct for councillors.

 

Councillor Crout, Chair of Standards Committee, moved the motion which was seconded by the Chairman.

 

RESOLVED –

 

1.          that the Code of Conduct for councillors be reviewed annually by the Group Head of Democracy and Governance and the Standards Committee;

 

2.          that the complaints procedure relating to complaints against members be updated to include the test for determining whether to investigate a complaint as set out in appendix 3;

 

3.          that Council advertise for a second Independent Person.

17.

Motions submitted under Council Procedure Rule 13.0

The following motion has been proposed by Councillor Bell and seconded by Councillor Turmaine –

 

“This council notes the recent publication of the ‘Marmot Review’ and the implications for communities that are suffering still from austerity and the subsequent health inequalities that have been made worse by it.

 

The Council notes the change in life expectancy particularly for women since 2011 as revealed in the Marmot Review.

 

This Council resolves that future policy by the Mayor and his administration should properly take account of the results and conclusions of the Marmot review in helping to create and develop healthy and sustainable places and communities.”

Minutes:

Council was advised that the agenda contained a motion from Councillors Bell and Turmaine which had since been withdrawn.

 

rating button