It was moved by Councillor Pattinson and seconded by Councillor Watling:

         “That Councillor Simon Feldman be elected Chairman of Watford Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2023/24.”

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

RESOLVED –

         that Councillor Simon Feldman be elected Chairman of Watford Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2023/24.

         The new Chairman made and delivered the declaration of acceptance of office according to law.

It was moved by Councillor G Saffery and seconded by Mayor Taylor:

“That Councillor Dawn Allen-Williamson be elected Vice Chairman for the Municipal Year 2023/24.” 

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

RESOLVED –

that Councillor Dawn Allen-Williamson be elected Vice Chairman of Watford Borough Council for the Municipal Year 2023/24.

The Chief Executive then confirmed the appointment of Jennifer Benge as the Chairman’s Consort and Alecia Esson as the Vice Chairman’s consort.

The new Chairman proposed a short adjournment.  The meeting was reconvened after this, to consider the formal business. 

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Bell.

There were no disclosures of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2023 to be submitted and signed. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2023 were submitted and signed. 

Welcome                  

Following the recent elections, the Chairman welcomed returning councillors and those newly elected who were taking up their roles for the first time.  On behalf of Watford Borough Council, the Chairman thanked those councillors who had stood down at the last election for their work and support to their communities.

Training

The Chairman reminded members that if they were appointed as a member of the Licensing Committee or wished to substitute, then they must sign up for the mandatory training.  Those unable to attend should speak to the Democratic Services Manager. 

Members were reminded that they should complete the scrutiny training if they had not been trained last year, as this was also compulsory for committee members and anyone who wished to substitute.

No questions had been received.

No petitions had been received.

There was no urgent business.

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.  It was noted that Councillor Pattinson had advised that the Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader would be Councillor Kennedy Rodrigues and not Councillor Glen Saffery as stated in the report.

The political group details were as follows:

Liberal Democrat Group

Leader            Councillor Jennifer Pattinson

Deputy Leader          Councillor Kennedy Rodrigues

Group Secretary       Councillor Peter Hannon

Group Members      Councillors Ahmed, Allen-Williamson, Clarke-Taylor, Devonish, Dychton, Feldman, Grimston, Hannon, Hill, Hofman, Jeffree, Johnson, Kloss, Martins, Nembhard, Newstead, Osborn, Pattinson, Rodrigues, A Saffery, G Saffery, Saunders, Stotesbury, Walford, Watkin, Wenham, Williams and Mayor Taylor

Labour Group

Leader                                    Councillor Nigel Bell

Deputy Leader                      Councillor Favour Ezeifedi

Group Secretary       Councillor Asif Khan

Group Members      Councillors Bell, Dhindsa, Ezeifedi, Khan, Shah, Smith, Trebar, Turmaine and Watling

RESOLVED –

that Council notes the composition of the political groups as at 23 May 2023.

Council received a report submitted on behalf of the Mayor setting out details of the Deputy Mayor, members of the Cabinet and Portfolio Holders and their responsibilities.  The Mayor commented that there would be no change from the previous year’s Cabinet, and thanked the portfolio holders for their hard work. 

RESOLVED –

that the appointments made by the Mayor be noted.

Council received a report of the Democratic Services Manager informing members that there were no changes to the Mayor’s Executive Scheme of Delegation.

RESOLVED –

that the Mayor’s Executive Scheme of Delegation be noted.

Council received a report of the Democratic Services Officer including the programme of ordinary meetings of the Council for the Municipal Year 2023/24.  Groups had been consulted on the dates and given an opportunity to comment. 

RESOLVED –

that the timetable of meetings for 2023/24 be adopted.

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.

Standards Committee

On being put to Council this nomination was unanimously AGREED.

Climate Emergency and Sustainability Forum

The Liberal Democrat group had advised that they wished to nominate one further councillor to this forum.  Councillor Pattinson had advised that Councillor Kennedy Rodrigues was to be added to the list of nominations already published in the agenda.

Health and Wellbeing Forum

The Chairman advised that there was an under subscription of two on this forum and the Liberal Democrat Group had notified that they wished to nominate Councillor Amanda Grimston to this forum.  He asked if there were any additional nominations, but there were none.

Housing Policy Advisory Group

The Chairman advised that there was an under subscription of two on this group and the Liberal Democrat Group had notified that they wished to nominate Councillor Peter Hannon to this forum.  He asked if there were any additional nominations, but there were none.

Member Development Group

The Chairman advised that there was an under subscription of two on this group and the Liberal Democrat Group had notified that they wished to nominate Councillor Penelope Hill to this forum.  He asked if there were any additional nominations, but there were none.

The Chairman moved the membership of the committees and sub committees as set out in Appendix 1, subject to the above changes.

On being put to Council the nominations were AGREED.

Chairs and Vice Chairs

Finance Scrutiny Committee – Appointment of Chair

The Chairman requested nominations for the position of Chair of Finance Scrutiny Committee.  Nominees should be a member of Overview and Scrutiny committee and, by convention, from an opposition party.  Councillor Ezeifedi nominated Councillor Khan, seconded by Councillor Turmaine.

On being put to Council the nomination was AGREED.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Appointment of Vice-Chair

The Chairman asked for nominations to the position of Vice-Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  By convention this should be a member of an opposition party. Councillor Watling nominated Councillor Ezeifedi, seconded by Councillor Khan.

On being put to Council the nomination was AGREED.

The Chairman moved the other appointments to chairs and vice chairs as circulated in appendix 1.

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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

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 Appendix 3 to these minutes. 

No motions had been submitted.