Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Steve LeMay and Nancy Watson.

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

None.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 6 April 2023.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 6 April 2023 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Chair welcomed Councillors Maggie Hulcoop, John Steer and Aiden O’Dell and congratulated them on their recent election as Councillors.

On behalf of Essex County Council, Councillor Eddie Johnson, outgoing Chair for Essex County Council, presented Councillor Tony Durcan with a certificate following his appointment as an Essex County Council Honorary Alderman.

The Chair advised that over the year he had attended many events across Essex and Hertfordshire. In total, he had raised £14,500 for his two charities, Harlow Rock School and Streets2Homes.

He presented both charities with cheques for £7,250.

The Chair advised that his year was filled with laughter and pride. Whilst he enjoyed all events that he attended and hosted throughout his year, there were a number of keys events; Celebrate Harlow, the 70^th Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth, the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth and the coronation of HM King Charles.

The Chair thanked his Vice Chair (Councillor Sue Livings), his wife, his daughter, his driver and council officers Emma Crouch, Janet Jackson and Rory Davis.  

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

Carly Burd

Charlie Fisk

Yvonne Butler

Nigel Apps

Erik Thorpe

Harlow Running and Tri Club

Harlow Amateur Boxing Club

Alexandra Cunningham Lang

Ceylan Deniz

The Chair will call for nominations for the appointment of Chair of the

Council for 2023/24 (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 Clive Souter proposed and Councillor Russell Perrin seconded the nomination of Councillor Andrew Johnson as Chair of the Council.

RESOLVED that Councillor Andrew Johnson is elected as Chair of the Council for 2023/24 and is invested with the chain and badge of office.

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

Councillor Johnson advised that he would announce his chosen charities at the next Full Council meeting.  

The Chair will call for nominations for the appointment of Vice Chair of

the Council for 2023/24 (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 Dan Swords proposed and Councillor James Leppard seconded the nomination of Councillor Sue Livings as Vice Chair of the Council.

RESOLVED that Councillor Sue Livings is appointed as Vice Chair of the Council for 2023/24 and is invested with the chain and badge of office.

Councillor Sue Livings 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 Mike Garnett proposed and Councillor David Carter seconded the nomination of Councillor Dan Swords as Leader of the Council.

RESOLVED that Councillor Dan Swords is elected as Leader of the Council.

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

appointments to the Cabinet.

RESOLVED that Council notes that the following Councillors are appointed to the Cabinet as set out in the agenda:

Councillor David Carter – Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing

Councillor Nicky Purse – Portfolio Holder for Sustainability and Environment

Councillor James Leppard – Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance

Councillor Stacy Seales – Portfolio Holder for Community

Councillor Michael Hardware – Portfolio Holder for Economic Development

Councillor John Steer – Additional Attendee  

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

Full Council received a report on appointments to committees, sub committees and panels of the council.

RESOLVED that:

A     The Council notes the political balance calculations for 2023/24 and agrees that Committee seats are allocated to political groups as set out in the report in Tables 1 and 2.

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

C     Chairs and Vice Chairs of Committees, Sub Committees and Panels are appointed as set out in Appendix A.

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

RESOLVED that Councillors are appointed as Member Champions as appended to the minutes.

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 appended to the minutes.

To approve the calendar of meetings for the 2023/24 municipal year.

RESOLVED that the calendar of meetings for 2023/24, as appended to the minutes, 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.