Council and democracy

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Offices, New Road, Grays, Essex, RM17 6SL. View directions

Contact: Jenny Shade, Senior Democratic Services Officer  Email: Direct.Democracy@thurrock.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

Before the start of the Meeting, all present were advised that the meeting may be filmed and was being recorded, with the audio recording to be made available on the Council’s website

 

The Mayor invited Father Bryan O’Shea to lead those present in prayer and a one minute’s silence was held as a mark of respect to reflect the recent tragedies that had taken place in Manchester.

 

Councillor C Kent, the Mayor of Thurrock, took the Chair for Minute Nos. 1 and 2. Following the election of the new Mayor of Thurrock, Councillor Ojetola took the Chair for the remainder of the business.

1.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 128 KB

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council, held on 29 March 2017.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Minutes of the Meeting of Council held on the 29 March 2017 were approved as a correct record.

2.

To elect and install the Mayor for the municipal year 2017/18

Minutes:

Nominations were invited for the election of Mayor for the Municipal Year 2017-18.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Gledhill, and seconded by Councillor Hebb, that Councillor Ojetola be elected Mayor of the Borough and Chair of the Council for the Municipal Year 2017-18.

 

The Mayor declared that Councillor Ojetola had been duly elected as Mayor of the Borough and Chair of the Council for the Municipal Year 2017-18.

 

Councillor Ojetola signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and also received the chains of office.

 

The Mayor thanked Councillor C Kent for all the hard work that she had done over the last 12 months and how generous she had been in sharing the mayoral roles with him.

 

The new elected Mayor, Councillor Ojetola, made a short speech thanking the Council for the honour of being elected as the Mayor of Thurrock and thanked all Councillors, his wife Bunmi Ojetola, his sister Femi Otukoya and her husband Dr Ken Otukoya. Councillor Ojetola’s plans over the next 12 months would be to promote Thurrock and promote the work of the “Unsung Heroes” who undertake charitable work. Councillor Ojetola hoped that this would be a busy but an exceedingly rewarding year ahead.

 

The Mayor presented Councillor C Kent and her Consort, Councillor Liddiard, with their past Mayor’s badge and past consort’s badge.

 

The Leader of the Council paid tribute to the out-going Mayor, Councillor C Kent, for the impact she had made on Thurrock in her time as Mayor, with her dignity and respect for all. Councillor C Kent had been a fantastic Mayor but would now have more time to spend with her family and on her Councillor duties. The Leader advised Councillor Ojetola not to try and fit into the previous Mayor’s shoes but to be himself.

 

Councillor Snell thanked Councillor C Kent for her enthusiasm as Mayor and stated she had been a fantastic Mayor. Councillor Snell congratulated Councillor Ojetola as Mayor and stated it was about time and that he was the right man for the job.

 

Councillor Gerrish stated that Councillor C Kent deserved the thanks that she had received for all her hard work that she had undertaken in the borough. Councillor Gerrish welcomed Councillor Ojetola as Mayor who would bring enthusiasm, energy and have the respect of residents of the borough.

 

Councillor C Kent thanked Members for their kind words and stating that it had been a great honour to be Mayor of Thurrock Council. She gave thanks to everyone in the Council Chamber and to everyone that she had the privilege of working with over the last 12 months.

 

Councillor C Kent stated that she had attended over 250 events and had been humbled to meet thousands of amazing Thurrock residents. Monies had been raised for her three charities: Thurrock Community Chest, The Fire Fighters Charity and The Epilepsy Action Group and thanked all for the support and contributions received.

 

Councillor C Kent thanked Father Bryan O’Shea, her consort Councillor Liddiard, Member Services, her Chauffeur  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Items of Urgent Business

To receive additional items that the Mayor is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency, in accordance with Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Minutes:

The Mayor informed the Council that he had not agreed to the consideration of any items of urgent business.

4.

To elect and install the Deputy Mayor for the municipal year 2017/18

Minutes:

Nominations were invited for the election of Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2017-18.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Gerrish, and seconded by Councillor G Rice, that Councillor Stone be appointed Deputy Mayor of Thurrock for 2017-18.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Snell, and seconded by Councillor Spillman, that Councillor Sheridan be appointed Deputy Mayor of Thurrock for 2017-18.

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor Stone to be the next Deputy Mayor for the municipal year 2017-18.

 

The Mayor declared that Councillor Stone had been duly elected as Deputy Mayor of the Borough and Vice-Chair of the Council for the Municipal Year 2017-18.

 

Councillor Stone signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and also received the chains of office.

 

Councillor Stone then made a short speech to accept the honour of being appointed as Deputy Mayor.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That Councillor Stone be appointed Deputy Mayor of the Borough and Vice-Chair of the Council for the Municipal Year 2017-18.

5.

Declaration of Interests

To receive any declaration of interests from Members.

Minutes:

No interests were declared.

6.

Announcements on behalf of the Mayor or the Leader of the Council

Minutes:

Firstly the Mayor invited all those present to reflect and remember Thurrock’s fallen during World War One and stated that a memorial plaque had been placed in the Council Chamber in memory of those Councillors who had passed away whilst in service to the borough.

 

The Mayor was pleased to announce that Bunmi Ojetola had agreed to be his Consort. Bunmi Ojetola was asked to step forward and receive the Consort’s Chain.

 

The Mayor confirmed that the Deputy Mayor Consort would be his wife, Julie Stone. Julie Stone was asked to step forward and receive the Consort’s Chain.

 

The Mayor announced that his charities for the Mayoral Year would be Thurrock Community Chest and Contact the Elderly (Thurrock).

 

Furthermore, the Mayor announced that his Mayoral Chaplains would be Reverend Canon Darren Barlow and Reverend Akin Laosun.

 

The Mayor also made reference to Bishop Paul and Pastor Joyce Fadeyi and stated that details of a planned Thanksgiving Service would follow.

 

The Mayor then invited Councillor Gledhill to make any announcements he wished to make as Leader of the Council.

 

The Leader of the Council paid tribute to the appointment of Councillor Ojetola as the new Mayor of Thurrock and to Councillor Stone as the new Deputy Mayor of Thurrock.

 

The Leader congratulated Councillor Gerrish on becoming the Leader of the Labour Group.

 

Members were asked to remember former Councillor Barry Lawrence who tragically died earlier this year and how he would be a great loss to Thurrock.

 

The Leader informed members that no changes would be made to Cabinet appointments.

 

Members were reminded that whilst the Council was in the Purdah period the use of Council facilities or staff which could be perceived as political was prohibited.

 

The Leader stated that he had met with the Police Crime Commissioner and confirmed that the Government had taken the decision to increase the national threat level to critical until further notice with no specific threats to Thurrock. There would be an increased police presence at key infrastructure locations and that police presence in Thurrock would be increased to protect and reassure residents. The Leader urged residents to remain calm but vigilant and to report anything suspicious. 

7.

Committees and their Terms of Reference pdf icon PDF 63 KB

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council introduced the report that requested Council to formally establish the committees it considered necessary to fulfil the functions in the ensuing municipal year.

 

Members agreed to note the recommendations.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.         That the Overview and Scrutiny Committees listed in paragraph 3.2 of the report be established for the 2017-18 municipal year, with their terms of reference being those set out in Chapter 4 of the Constitution.

 

2.         That the Committees listed in paragraph 3.4 of the report be established for the 2017-18 municipal year, with their terms of reference being those set out in Chapter 5  of the Constitution.

8.

Allocation of Committee seats and Committee appointments pdf icon PDF 77 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Mayor informed Members that the nominations of Group Leaders to the places allocated on committees, and the nominations for Chairs and Vice Chairs of committees had been received.

 

The nominations made to Committees for the municipal year 2017-18, together with the nominations for the positions of Chair and Vice Chair, were set out in a booklet tabled for Members.

 

The Leader of the Council briefly introduced the report, which requested the Council to confirm the calculations relating to the allocation of seats on committees and also to appoint the nominations made by political groups to committees.

 

In addition, the report also requested the Council to appoint the Chairs and Vice-Chairs. Councillor Gledhill stated that the Conservative Party would not be nominating Chair or Vice Chairs on overview and scrutiny committees therefore these positions were open for the opposition parties to fill.

 

The Mayor then called for a separate vote to be undertaken in respect of each of the nominations for Chairs and Vice Chairs of Committees.

 

The results of each vote are set out below:

 

Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor Okunade over Councillor Sheridan to be Chair.

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor Snell to be Vice Chair.

 

Therefore Councillor Okunade was appointed Chair and Councillor Snell was appointed Vice Chair of the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

Cleaner Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor Jones over Councillor C Kent to be Chair.

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor C Kent over Councillor Cherry to be Vice Chair

 

Therefore Councillor Jones was appointed Chair and Councillor C Kent was appointed Vice Chair of the Cleaner Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor Gerrish over Councillor Duffin to be Chair.

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor Gamester to be Vice Chair.

 

Therefore Councillor Gerrish was appointed Chair and Councillor Gamester was appointed Vice Chair of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

Corporate Parenting Committee

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor MacPherson over Councillor Okunade to be Chair.

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor Okunade over Councillor Gamester to be Vice Chair .

 

Therefore Councillor MacPherson was appointed Chair and Councillor Okunade was appointed Vice Chair of the Corporate Parenting Committee.

 

General Services

 

Members voted unanimously in favour of Councillor Gledhill as Chair and Councillor Snell as Vice Chair of the General Services Committee.

 

Health and Wellbeing Board

 

Members noted Councillor Halden, Portfolio Holder for Education and Health, as Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

 

Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor Snell over Councillor V Holloway to be Chair.

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor V Holloway  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Appointments to Outside Bodies, Statutory and Other Panels pdf icon PDF 63 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The nominations of the political groups to Outside Bodies, Statutory and Other Panels were detailed in the supplementary booklet tabled for Members.

 

The Chief Executive submitted a report in respect of the appointments required to be made to Outside Bodies, Statutory and Other Panels.

 

Councillor Gledhill stated that he would like to make two changes to the nomination booklet:

 

On the Essex Fire Authority replace Councillor MacPherson with Councillor Watkins.

 

On the Local Government Association to withdraw Councillor Ojetola’s nomination.

 

Members were also informed that the Adoption Panel and Fostering Panel had now merged and would be known as the Adoption and Fostering Panel.

 

The Mayor called for a separate vote to be undertaken in respect of each of the contested nominations for appointments to Outside Bodies, Statutory and Other Panels.

 

The results of each vote are set out below:

 

Campaign to Protect Rural Essex

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor G Rice over Councillor C Baker.

 

Therefore Councillor G Rice was appointed the representative of the Council on the Campaign to Protect Rural Essex.

 

Citizens Advice Bureau Management Committee

 

No further nominations were received for the two vacant positions on the Citizens Advice Bureau Management Committee. Councillor Gledhill will be the representative of the Council on the Citizens Advice Bureau Management Committee.

 

Coalhouse Fort Project

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor C Kent over Councillor Jones.

 

Therefore Councillor C Kent was appointed the representative of the Council on the Coalhouse Fort Project.

 

East Thurrock Community Association

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor Piccolo over Councillor Duffin.

 

Therefore Councillor Piccolo was appointed the representative of the Council on the East Thurrock Community Association.

 

Essex Fire Authority

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor C Kent over Councillor Jones.

 

Therefore Councillor C Kent was appointed the second representative of the Council on the Essex Fire Authority.

 

Essex Police and Crime Panel

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor Redsell over Councillor Jones.

 

Therefore Councillor Redsell was appointed the representative of the Council on the Essex Police and Crime Panel.

 

South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor Fish over Councillor Snell.

 

Therefore Councillor Fish was appointed the representative of the Council on the South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust.

 

Thurrock Play Network

 

No nominations were received for the vacant positions on the Thurrock Play Network Committee.

 

Civic Awards Panel

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor Redsell over Councillors Liddiard and Snell.

 

Therefore Councillor Redsell was appointed the fourth representative of the Council on the Civic Awards Panel.

 

Adoption and Fostering Panel

 

The majority of the chamber voted in favour of Councillor S Little over Councillor Jones.

 

Therefore Councillor S Little was appointed the representative of the Council on the Adoption and Fostering Panel.

 

The Mayor advised that following the changes detailed above there were no longer any contested appointments  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Schedule of Meetings 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 61 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council briefly introduced the report. A copy of the schedule of meetings for 2017-18 was included in the Agenda at Appendix 1 to the report.

 

Members agreed to note the recommendations.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the Schedule of Meetings for 2017-18 be approved.

11.

Schedule of Elections and Order of Retirement of Councillors pdf icon PDF 58 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council briefly introduced the report which informed the Council of the schedule of elections to be held between 2018 and 2021.

 

Members agreed to note the recommendations.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the schedule of elections from 2018 to 2020 and order of retirement of Councillors be noted.