Agenda and minutes

A minutes’ silence was held following the passing of Danny Purton. Tributes to Danny were heard from Councillors Mike Danvers and Bob Davis.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Eugenie Harvey and John Strachan.

Councillors’ declarations of interest (if any) in relation to any items on the agenda.

None.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 1 April.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 1 April 2021 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair outlined the events she had attended throughout the year. She had raised a total of £8,000 for her two chosen charities Petals and Mind. They had both been given cheques of £4,000.

The Chair presented the following people Civic Awards in recognition of their commitment and contribution to the local community.

David Tetley Taylor

Volunteers at Harlow Ethnic Minority Umbrella (HEMU)

NishallGarala

Susan McKenzie

The staff at Princess Alexandra Hospital

Crosskeys Netball Club

Harlow Ballet

Makin’ Steps

Sarah-Jane Marshall

The Chair will call for nominations for the appointment of Chair of the Council for 2021/22 (if there is more than one nomination, there will be a vote in the usual way).

The Chair will declare the successful nominee to be elected.

The Chief Executive will call on the elected Chair of the Council to sign a declaration of acceptance of office.

The newly elected Chair of the Council will give an acceptance speech.

Councillor Michael Hardware proposed and Councillor Gareth Williams seconded the nomination of Councillor Clive Souter as Chair of the Council.

RESOLVED that Councillor Clive Souter is elected as Chair of the Council for 2021/22 and is invested with the chain and badge of office.

Councillor Souter signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and gave an acceptance speech.

He thanked his colleagues for his appointment and also thanked Councillor Maggie Hulcoop for her service to the town during her term of office.

Councillor Souter announced that his chosen charities were dementia care at Princess Alexandra Hospital Trust and Harlow Stroke Support Rehab Centre.

From this point Councillor Souter chaired the meeting.

The Chair will call for nominations for the appointment of Vice Chair of the Council for 2021/22 (if there is more than one nomination, there will be a vote in the usual way).

The Chair will declare the successful nominee to be appointed.

The Chief Executive will call on the appointed Vice Chair of the Council to sign a declaration of acceptance of office.

The newly appointed Vice Chair of the Council will give an acceptance speech.

Councillor Chris Vince proposed and Councillor Tony Edwards seconded the nomination of Councillor Maggie Hulcoop as Vice Chair of the Council.

RESOLVED that Councillor Maggie Hulcoop is appointed as Vice Chair of the Council for 2021/22 and is invested with the chain and badge of office.

Councillor Hulcoop signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The Chair will call for nominations for the election of Leader of the Council in accordance with Article 6.2 of the Constitution (if there is more than one nomination, there will be a vote in the usual way).

The Chair will declare the successful nominee to be elected.

Councillor Joel Charles proposed and Councillor Russell Perrin seconded the nomination of Councillor Andrew Johnson as Leader of the Council.

RESOLVED that Councillor Andrew Johnson is elected as Leader of the Council.

The Chair will call for the Leader to announce their Deputy Leader and appointments to the Cabinet.

Councillor Andrew Johnson announced his Cabinet as follows:

Councillor Joel Charles – Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Community Resilience

Councillor Simon Carter – Portfolio Holder for Housing

Councillor Michael Hardware – Portfolio Holder for Strategic Growth

Councillor Alastair Gunn – Portfolio Holder for Environment

Councillor Russell Perrin – Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance

Councillor Dan Swords – Portfolio Holder for Regeneration

The Chair will call for nominations to the membership of Committees, Sub Committees and Panels of the Council and their Chairs and Vice Chairs.

Full Council received a report which set out the revised political balance calculations, nominations to committees, and changes to the Constitution which would enable a member of the Opposition to Chair the Scrutiny Committee.

Proposed by Andrew Johnson (seconded by Councillor Chris Vince) it was:

RESOLVED that:

A     The Committee structure for 2021/21 is established as set out in Tables 1 and 2 of the report, including the revised number of seats for the committees.

B    The Council noted the political balance calculations for 2021/22 and agrees that Committee seats are allocated to political groups as set out in Tables 1 and 2 of the report.

C    Delegated authority is granted to the Head of Governance to make amendments to the Constitution to enable a member of the Opposition to Chair the Scrutiny Committee, and for the membership of the Call In Sub Committee to be the same as the Scrutiny Committee.

D    Councillors are appointed as members/substitute members of Council Committees, Sub Committees and Panels as set out in Appendix A to the report.

E     Chairs and Vice Chairs of Committees, Sub Committees and Panels are appointed as set out in Appendix A to the report.

The Chair will call for nominations for appointments of Member Champions.

RESOLVED that Councillors are appointed as Member Champions as set out in the agenda.

The Chair will call for nominations for the appointment of Council representatives on the outside bodies as listed.

RESOLVED that Councillors are nominated for appointment to the outside bodies as set out in the supplementary agenda.

To approve the calendar of meetings for the 2021/22 municipal year.

RESOLVED that the calendar of meetings for 2021/22, as set out in the supplementary agenda, be approved.

Such other business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be received as a matter of urgency by reason of special circumstances to be specified in the minutes.

None.