Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from any Members.

Apologies had been received from Councillor Fitzpatrick.

To approve the attached minutes of the Council meeting held on 26March 2018 as an accurate record.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 March 2018 were agreed as an accurate record.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct and the statutory provisions of the Localism Act, Members and co-opted Members of the Council are reminded that it is a requirement to register disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) and gifts and hospitality to the value of which exceeds £50 or multiple gifts and/or instances of hospitality with a cumulative value of £50 or more when received from a single donor within a rolling twelve month period. In addition, Members and co-opted Members are reminded that unless their disclosable pecuniary interest is registered on the register of interests or is the subject of a pending notification to the Monitoring Officer, they are required to disclose those disclosable pecuniary interests at the meeting. This should be done by completing the Disclosure of Interest form and handing it to the Democratic Services representative at the start of the meeting. The Chair will then invite Members to make their disclosure orally at the commencement of Agenda item 3. Completed disclosure forms will be provided to the Monitoring Officer for inclusion on the Register of Members’ Interests.

There were none.

To pass a vote of thanks to The Mayor in the following terms:

(a)       the Council tender their grateful thanks to The Worshipful, The Mayor,

Councillor Toni Letts, for the courteous and efficient manner in which she presided over the Council's deliberations during the past year;

(b)       the Council record their sincere appreciation of the dignified manner in

which Councillor Toni Letts OBE has carried out the traditional duties of the office of Mayor, of the support and encouragement which she and her Mayoress, Mrs Beverley Binstead have given to the local organisations and of the prominent part which they have taken in the social life of the Borough during the Mayor's period of office; and

(c)        that this resolution be engrossed and sealed and presented to the Mayor at the Annual Council Meeting in a suitable form.

The Mayor invited the Deputy Mayor to chair the item. The Deputy Mayor then invited the Mayor to deliver her farewell address.

The Mayor welcomed everyone present in the Council Chamber, including the newly elected Councillors and the returning Councillors. She explained that it was an exceptional honour and humbling to be the Mayor for a second time.

The Mayor noted that in her time as being Mayor she was able to witness the ongoing work within the voluntary sector and charities and the transition within the London Borough of Croydon through its ongoing regeneration. She noted that it was an honour to represent the Borough.

The Mayor explained that her most challenging time within the Mayoralty year had been attending the ceremonies for the tram incident victims’ memorials and having the opportunity to remember and celebrate their lives.

The Mayor noted that the election of the first Young Mayor of Croydon had been extremely positive. The local schools had worked hard and the 28 candidates were vibrant and eager to learn about local democracy. She extended her congratulations to William Awomoyi who had been elected after receiving approximately 12,000 votes.

The Mayor thanked the local schools that had extraordinary teaching staff and the local organisations and clubs set up to educate the young children of the Borough. There had also been culture events organised to engage young people, which particularly focused on music. She noted that the young people of the Borough should be honoured and it would be positive to encourage more apprenticeships and business opportunities within the Borough. 

The Mayor noted that it had been a pleasure to meet the Ambassadors and City Mayors of Budapest, Chile, China, Holland and Italy to discuss the opportunities for more businesses to be set up in Croydon.

The opening of Krepes & Kones restaurant with the music duo Krept and Konan, local musicians, was positive as it was their first business venture and was proving to be very popular.

The Mayor extended her thank you to the Deputy Mayor Mike Selva and the Deputy Mayoress for being kind and supportive throughout her mayoralty year. She also thanked her daughter, the Mayoress, the consorts, Mayoralty team, mace bearers, the former mayoral secretary, her friends and family and all the colleagues and officers working for Croydon Council. She noted that it was Lea Goddard’s, Head of Elections and Civic Services, last Council meeting and thanked him for his hard work at Croydon Council over the past 19 years and wished him well in his retirement.

The Leader, moving the vote of thanks, highlighted the amazing contribution the Mayor had made and had been committed and compassionate about the role for the Mayoralty year. The Mayor was thanked for supporting the young people in the Borough and it was noted that she had helped provide opportunities for them. The Mayor was a good orator and had been an inspiration, especially for the next generation who would do Croydon proud. The Leader noted that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4/18

To elect the Mayor for the Council Year 2018/19 and note the appointment of the Deputy Mayor.

Councillor Newman proposed that Councillor Bernadette Khan be nominated as the Mayor of Croydon for the year 2018-19. He explained that it was an immense pleasure to propose her as the new Mayor and noted that she would be taking up the role in her most challenge time of her family’s lives. Councillor Bernadette Khan had contributed a huge amount of work to public services, various bodies and the voluntary sector and her work in West Thornton Ward was honourable; the constituents thought very highly of her. He was pleased she would be representing Croydon as the Mayor and it was a celebration for her and her family at a very difficult time. He noted that it was a pleasure to formally nominate Councillor Bernadette Khan as Mayor. 

Councillor Pollard seconded the proposal that Councillor Bernadette Khan be nominated as the Mayor of Croydon for the year 2018-19. He stated that it was a delight to second the proposal and explained that her commitment to the Borough, especially her work with young people, was commendable. He sent his condolences from the Conservative Group and explained that they all wished to support her through the Mayoral year.

The motion was put to the vote and was carried unanimously. The Mayoral procession left the Chamber at 1909 hours.

The Mayoral procession returned at 1917 hours, with the new Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Bernadette Khan, in the Chair.

The Mayor read out the declaration of office and duly signed it. The Mayor then announced that she had requested Councillor Humayun Kabir to serve as her Deputy Mayor. The Deputy Mayor signed the declaration of the office.

The Mayor, giving her acceptance speech, stated that it was a great pleasure to announce that her husband Mr Qaiyum Khan would be her consort during her Mayoral year. The Mayor then presented the past-Mayor’s badge and citation to the previous Mayor, Councillor Toni Letts and presented the past-consort badge to her daughter, Mayoress Beverley Binstead.

The Mayor thanked her colleagues, family and friends and noted that it was exciting, honourable and humbling to be given the opportunity to become the Mayor of the Borough Croydon. She explained she had been a Councillor for 20 years and a local resident for over 40 years and was proud to live and work in the diverse Borough which was rich in culture. The Borough was growing and was expected to reach a population of 500,000 by 2021 which would create challenges; however, it would also become a home for even more talented and aspirational young people.

The Mayor noted that she wished to use her tenure to highlight equality, inclusiveness and community empowerment and would focus on these issues during her mayoral year.

The Mayor stated that communities must be supported to realise their visions and aspirations. A key component of any democracy was to support grassroots initiatives to help produce communities that were prosperous, diverse, dynamic and empowered. Recognising this, in 2015 the Cabinet had agreed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5/18

To hear announcements from the Returning Officer following the local elections held on 3^rd May 2018.

The Chief Executive noted that following the local elections held on 3 May 2018, 70 Members had been successfully elected to serve on the Council. She congratulated the Councillors on their successful campaigns and noted, on behalf of all officers, how much they were looking forward to working with them over the next four years.

(a)       Members of the Council are asked to note that, in accordance with Article 4.01(e) and Article 7.03 of the Constitution, the Council is asked to elect a Member of the Council as Leader of the Council for a period of four years.

(b)       Members are also asked to note that, in accordance with Article 7.04 of the Constitution, the Leader of the Council will appoint his or her Statutory Deputy Leader of the Council for a period of four years.

Council NOTED:

1)    that Councillor Tony Newman had been elected Leader of the Council for a four year term on 3 May 2018;

2)    that Councillor Alison Butler had been appointed as the Statutory Deputy Leader;

3)    that Councillor Stuart King had been appointed as the Deputy Leader.

To approve the report of the Director of Law and Monitoring Officer.

Under Section 15(1) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, it is the duty of the Council at its Annual Meeting to review the representation of different political groups on bodies appointed by the Council.

The Mayor introduced the report of the Director of Law and Monitoring Officer that had been circulated with the agenda.

RESOLVED – That the Council agreed to:

1)    Confirm that there were 41 Labour Group Members and 29 Conservative Group Members (as set out in Para 3.1 of the report); and

2)    Approved the appointment and composition of Committees as set out in paragraph 4.7 of the report.

To consider a report of the Director of Law and Monitoring Officer that details appointments in the associated pink and blue schedules and further details proposals to continue with the Council’s current schemes of Members’ allowances.

Please note that this report is ‘to follow’

The Mayor introduced the report of the Director of Law and Monitoring Officer that had been circulated to Members.

RESOLVED – That the Council agreed to:

Appointments

1.1         The appointments to Committees of the Council (as detailed in the Blue Schedule); and

1.2         The appointments to all other Panels, Working Groups and Outside Bodies (as detailed in the Pink Schedule).

1.3         Note the Executive appointments of Cabinet Members, Cabinet Committees and Deputy Cabinet Members (as detailed in the Blue Schedule);

1.4         Note the Executive appointments to Joint Committees (as detailed in the Blue Schedule);

1.5         Note the Executive appointments to London Councils Committees and Panels and Local Government Association bodies (as detailed in the Blue Schedule); and

1.6         Note the Executive appointment of Councillors to the Health & Wellbeing Board (as detailed in the Blue Schedule).

1.7         Note that the Leader had confirmed his intention to continue to devolve decision making powers to cabinet or relevant cabinet members.

1.8         Authorise the Council Solicitor to make any consequential changes to the Council’s Constitution to reflect the proposed arrangements for ‘job-share’ executive roles.

1.9         Note the appointments of the Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Cabinet (as detailed in the Blue Schedule);

1.10      Note the appointments of political party group officers (as detailed in the Blue Schedule);

Allowances

2.1       That pursuant to the provisions of Article 12.4 of the Constitution and section 31 of the Localism Act 2011, the Monitoring Officer had granted a general dispensation to all Members of the Council pursuant to the Council’s dispensation procedure as detailed in paragraph 3 of the report for the purposes of permitting Members to consider allowances for the duration of their term of office;

2.2       That the continuation of the current Members’ allowance scheme as adopted by the Council in 2015, and last updated by the Council in June 2017, together with delegation of authority to the Council Solicitor to carry out all necessary publicity; and

2.3       Note that a review of the Members’ Allowance Scheme was to be undertaken, including more detailed consideration of the latest report of the Independent Remuneration Panel, and that recommendations arising from that review, along with a revised Members’ Allowance Scheme, would be presented to Members for approval.

The following motion is to be moved and seconded where it is proposed to exclude the press and public from the remainder of a meeting:

“That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information falling within those paragraphs indicated in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.”

Not required.