Agenda and minutes

Annual, Council
Thursday, 26th May, 2022 7.30 pm

Venue: Council Chamber, Civic Centre

Contact: Lisa Thornett 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Tony Durcan and Tony Edwards.

2.

Declarations of Interest

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

Minutes:

None.

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 574 KB

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 31 March 2022.

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 31 March 2022 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

4.

Communications from the Chair

Minutes:

The Chair said that he had attended 106 events over the year. In total he had raised £14,000 for his two charities, Harlow Stroke Support and Rehab Centre, and Dementia Care at PAH.

 

He presented both charities with cheques for £7,000.

 

It had been an honour to serve as Chair. He thanked his Vice Chair (Maggie Hulcoop), his wife (Stevie Souter), and his PA (Lisa Thornett) for their support throughout the year.

5.

Presentation of Civic Awards

Minutes:

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

 

Dean Beaumont

Harlow Ricks

Mona Singh

Roots to Wellbeing

Tessa Harvey

Alex Reed

Harlow Rugby Club Under 16s Team Coaches

Thomas Church

6.

Election of the Chair of the Council and Declaration of Acceptance of Office

The Chair will call for nominations for the appointment of Chair of the Council for 2022/23 (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.

Minutes:

Councillor Joel Charles proposed and Councillor Nick Churchill 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 2021/22 and is invested with the chain and badge of office.

 

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

 

He thanked his colleagues for his election and also thanked Councillor Clive Souter for his service to the town during his term in office.

 

Councillor Johnson announced that his chosen charities were Friends of Rock School (Harlow Rock School) and Streets 2 Homes.

 

From this point, Councillor Andrew Johnson chaired the meeting.

7.

Appointment of the Vice Chair of the Council and Declaration of Acceptance of Office

The Chair will call for nominations for the appointment of Vice Chair of the Council for 2022/23 (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.

Minutes:

Councillor Dan Swords proposed and Councillor Matthew Saggers seconded the nomination of Councillor Sue Living as Vice Chair of the Council.

 

Councillor Lanie Shears proposed and Councillor Nancy Watson seconded the nomination of Councillor Bob Davis.

 

Upon being put to the vote, Councillor Livings was appointed as Vice Chair of the Council.

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Sue Livings is appointed as Vice Chair of the Council for 2022/23 and is invested the chain and badge of office.

 

Councillor Sue Livings signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

8.

Election of Leader of the Council

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.

Minutes:

Councillor Dan Swords proposed and Councillor Nick Churchill seconded the nomination of Councillor Russell Perrin as Leader of the Council.

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Russell Perrin is elected as Leader of the Council.

9.

Appointment to Committees, Sub Committees and Panels of the Council and their Chairs and Vice Chairs pdf icon PDF 219 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

Proposed by Russell Perrin (seconded by Councillor Joel Charles) it was:

 

RESOLVED that:

 

A    The Council noted the political balance calculations for 2022/23 and agrees that Committee seats be allocated to political groups as set out in Tables 1 and 2 of the report.

 

B    Councillors be appointed as members/substitute members of Council Committees, Sub Committees and Panels as set out in Appendix A of the report, included in the supplementary agenda.

 

C    Chairs and Vice Chairs of Committees, Sub Committees and Panels be appointed as set out in Appendix A of the report, included in the supplementary agenda.

10.

Appointment of Member Champions pdf icon PDF 7 KB

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

Minutes:

Proposed by Russell Perrin (seconded by Councillor Joel Charles) it was:

 

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

11.

Appointment of Council Representatives on Outside Bodies pdf icon PDF 114 KB

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

Minutes:

Proposed by Russell Perrin (seconded by Councillor Joel Charles) it was:

 

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

12.

Calendar of Meetings 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 22 KB

To approve the calendar of meetings for the 2022/23 municipal year.

Minutes:

Proposed by Councillor Russell Perrin (seconded by David Carter) it was:

 

RESOLVED that the calendar of meetings for 2022/23, as set out in the agenda, be approved, subject to the removal of the Special Council meeting on 14 July.

13.

Motions from Councillors

13a

Road Naming - Ukrainian Recognition

Proposed by Councillor Russell Perrin (seconded by Councillor Dan Swords):

 

This council:

 

     i)        Wholeheartedly condemns the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces and supports the Ukrainian people in their fight to maintain democracy and self-determination as a nation;

 

    ii)        Expresses support for Harlow residents who are from Ukraine or have close ties with the country; and

 

   iii)        Recognises and commends the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Leadership of his nation whilst defending his country.

 

And requests that, notwithstanding current Council policy:

 

     i)        The Council seek to rename Allende Avenue a road within Harlow as Zelenskyy Avenue;

 

    ii)        Consults with residents on the proposed change of name; and

 

   iii)        Reports further to Cabinet on the outcome of those consultations.

Minutes:

Proposed by Councillor Russell Perrin (seconded by Councillor Dan Swords):

 

This Council:

 

     i)        Wholeheartedly condemns the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces and supports the Ukrainian people in their fight to maintain democracy and self-determination as a nation;

 

    ii)        Expresses support for Harlow residents who are from Ukraine or have close ties with the country; and

 

   iii)        Recognises and commends the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Leadership of his nation whilst defending his country.

 

And requests that, notwithstanding current Council policy:

 

     i)        The Council seek to rename Allende Avenue a road within Harlow as Zelenskyy Avenue;

 

    ii)        Consults with residents on the proposed change of name; and

 

   iii)        Reports further to Cabinet on the outcome of those consultations.

 

RESOLVED that the motion was carried.

 

14.

Matters of Urgent Business

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.

Minutes:

None.