Annual Council Meeting, Council - Tuesday, 21st May, 2024 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

Cllr P.G. Taylor will move and Cllr A. Adeola will second:

 

“That Councillor MARA MAKUNURA be elected Mayor of the Borough to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2025.”

 

On her election, the Mayor will make her Declaration of Acceptance of Office in accordance with Section 83 of the Local Government Act, 1972.

 

The Mayor will address the meeting and will signify the appointment of Miss Salwexeya Makunura as the Mayoress and Reverend Coleen Kusi-Agyapong as the Mayor’s Chaplain.

 

Nominations were invited for the election of the Mayor of the Borough for the Municipal Year 20245/2. It was MOVED by Cllr P.G. Taylor; SECONDED by Cllr A. Adeola - That Cllr Mara Makunura be elected Mayor of the Borough to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2025.

 

RESOLVED: That Councillor MARA MAKUNURA be elected Mayor of the Borough to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2025.

 

The Mayor then made her Declaration of Acceptance of Office in accordance with Section 83 of the Local Government Act, 1972 and took the Chair.

 

THE MAYOR (CLLR MARA MAKUNURA) IN THE CHAIR

 

The Mayor expressed her pride at the honour of being elected Mayor and first citizen of the Borough of Rushmoor. Her appointment as The Mayor marked a significant milestone as the first African to hold the position. During her speech to the Council, she described being a proud parent and a community leader with a strong interest in fostering a cohesive and inclusive community and with a desire to help those facing challenges. Her mayoral year would build on the many years she had served the community both as a councillor and as a volunteer for various local organisations, and she was looking forward to supporting many community events and making a positive impact.

 

The Mayor thanked her proposer and seconder for their kind words and the Council for supporting her nomination. She then signified the appointment of her daughter Ms Salwexeya Makunura as her Mayoress and Reverend Coleen Kusi-Agyapong as the Mayor’s Chaplain. 

 

The Mayor announced that she would be seeking to support a number of charities during the year. Her four primary charities would be West Farnborough Men’s Shed, PAG (Parent Action Group), Hart and Rushmoor Young Carers Charity, and Salvation Clinic International Ministries, and additionally supporting The Lighthouse, and Kerith Church Community Pantry.

To record the Council’s appreciation of the excellent service rendered by Councillor Clive Grattan as Mayor and Mrs June Smith as Mayoress during the Municipal Year 2023/24. An illuminated scroll shall be presented, together with a Past Mayor’s Badge, to Councillor Grattan and a Past Mayoress’ Badge to Mrs June Smith.

It was MOVED by Cllr Bill O’Donovan; SECONDED by Cllr Calum Stewart and

 

RESOLVED: That the Council place on record its appreciation of the excellent service rendered by Councillor Clive Patrick Grattan as Mayor of the Borough and Mrs June Smith as Mayoress during the Municipal Year 2023/24.

 

The Mayor congratulated Cllr Grattan and presented him with a framed, illuminated scroll, together with a Past Mayor's Badge and a Past Mayoress’s Badge for Mrs June Smith.

 

In response, Cllr Grattan thanked the proposer and seconder for their kind words.  He referred to the memorable year that he had experienced as Mayor and said that it had been both an honour and a privilege for him. Cllr Grattan referred to some particular highlights of the Mayoral Year and was pleased to report that £8,000 had been raised for his charities (Oak Farm Pre-School and Crohn’s and Colitis UK). He thanked his Mayoress Mrs June Smith, for her unwavering support throughout the year and Mrs Amanda Hanson for the administrative support provided.  Cllr Grattan also thanked Mr and Mrs Terry and Rak Owens for Chairing his Charity Fundraising Committee and the members of the Committee for all their work during the year.

 

Cllr Grattan thanked his Chaplain, Mr David Betts, who had been a great support and inspiration to him.

Cllr Sophie Porter will move and Cllr G.B. Lyon will second:

“That Councillor CALUM STEWART be elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2025.”

 

On his election, Councillor Calum Stewart will make his Declaration of Acceptance of Office in accordance with Section 83 of the Local Government Act, 1972.

 

The Mayor invited nominations for the election of the Deputy Mayor of the Borough. It was MOVED by Cllr Sophie Porter; SECONDED by Cllr G.B. Lyon – That Cllr Calum Stewart be elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2025.

 

RESOLVED: That Councillor CALUM STEWART be elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2025.

 

Cllr Calum Stewart then made his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.   

 

The Deputy Mayor thanked his proposer and seconder for their kind words and the Council for the confidence placed in him. He pledged his support to the Mayor in the coming year.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 22nd February 2024 (copy Minutes herewith).

It was MOVED by Cllr Christine Guinness; SECONDED by Cllr P.G. Taylor and

 

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council on 22nd February 2024 (copy having been circulated previously) be taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record.

To receive the Returning Officer’s Report of the names of the persons elected as Borough Councillors at the Elections held on 2nd May 2024 (copy attached).

The Returning Officer, Mr. P. Shackley, submitted his report on the results of the Borough Council Elections held on Thursday, 2nd May 2024 (appended to these minutes).

 

The Mayor congratulated all Members who had been re-elected and extended a warm welcome to the new councillors: Cllrs Leola Card, Alex Crawford, Thomas Day, Julie Hall, Steve Harden, Rhian Jones, Lisa Greenway, Bill O’Donovan and Ivan Whitmee. The Mayor also extended the Council’s thanks and appreciation for the service given to the Council and the Borough by Cllrs D.E. Clifford, J.B. Canty and Jess Auton who had not sought re-election and Cllrs D.B. Bedford, Jib Belbase, Michael Hope, Marina Munro, M.L. Sheehan and Nem Thapa who had been unsuccessful in being re-elected.

 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

(1)      The Mayor reported that she was proposing to hold a number of fundraising events during her Mayoral Year for her charities including a cycling event, a fashion show, a walking event and a banquet and ball. Further information on fundraising events would be circulated in due course.

 

(2)      The Mayor referred to her first engagements as Mayor, which included:

 

·                Celebrating Africa Day at Farnborough Football Club on 25th May;

·                The Gurkha Cup on 26th May   

·                Farnborough Donkey Derby on 27th May;

·                Rotary’s Kids Day Out on 19th June; and

·                The Lord Lieutenant’s Reception for New Mayors and Council Chairmen at Serles House in June.

 

(3)          The Mayor took great pleasure in announcing a long-service milestone that had been achieved by one of the Council’s longest ever serving councillors. She congratulated Cllr Keith Dibble on 40 years of continuous service to local Government. Councillor Dibble had been a Member for North Town Ward (formerly Belle Vue Ward) since May 1984 and had served on a very wide range of the Council’s committees, panels, and outside bodies over many years. Acknowledging this achievement, the Mayor presented Cllr Dibble with a long service badge to mark 40 years of service.

 

Cllr Dibble thanked the Mayor and expressed the gratitude he felt in representing his ward residents and championing his community.

To consider the nominations and appoint the Leader of the Council to hold office until the Annual Meeting in 2025. Cllr Gareth Williams has been nominated by the Labour Group.

It was MOVED by Cllr Keith Dibble; SECONDED by Cllr Sophie Porter - That Cllr Gareth Williams be appointed Leader of the Council to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2025.  

 

There voted FOR: 21; AGAINST: 0 and the Motion was DECLARED CARRIED.

(1)      To note the appointments of the Deputy Leader and the following councillors as Cabinet Portfolio Holders for the Municipal Year 2024/25, which are proposed to be made by the nominated Leader of the Council:

 

Cllr Sophie Porter	Deputy Leader and Community & Residents
Cllr Keith Dibble	Development & Economic Growth
Cllr Abe Allen	Enabling Services
Cllr Jules Crossley	Policy, Climate & Sustainability
Cllr Becky Williams	Neighbourhood Services
Cllr Christine Guinness	Regeneration & Property

 

(2)          To consider and approve the Appointments to Committees for the Municipal Year 2024/25 as follows in accordance with the allocations to achieve political balance indicated:

 

DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

 

Voting Members

           

Labour: 6	Conservative: 4		Independent: 1
Cllr Gaynor Austin	Cllr Peace Essien Igodifo		Cllr Dhan Sarki
Cllr Thomas Day	Cllr A.H. Gani
Cllr C.P. Grattan	Cllr S.J. Masterson
Cllr Lisa Greenway	Cllr Calum Stewart
Cllr Julie Hall
Cllr Ivan Whitmee
Standing Deputies:
Labour:	Conservative:
Cllr Rhian Jones	Cllr Mara Makunura
Cllr Nadia Martin	Cllr P.G. Taylor

 

NOTE: The Cabinet Member with responsibility for planning matters is to be an ex officio non-voting member of the Development Management Committee.

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, AUDIT AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE

 

Voting Members

 

Labour: 6	Conservative: 4		Liberal Democrat: 1
Cllr Gaynor Austin	Cllr A. Adeola		Cllr C.W. Card
Cllr A.H. Crawford	Cllr M.D. Smith
Cllr Bill O’Donovan	Cllr P.G. Taylor
Cllr Rhian Jones	Cllr Jacqui Vosper
Cllr Sarah Spall
Cllr M.J. Roberts
Standing Deputies:
Labour:		Conservative:		Liberal Democrat:
Cllr Lisa Greenway Cllr Julie Hall		Cllr S.J. Masterson Cllr M.J. Tennant		Cllr T.W. Mitchell Cllr Leola Card

 

 

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITEE

 

            Voting Members

           

Labour: 6	Conservative: 4	Liberal Democrat: 1
Cllr A.H. Crawford	Cllr P.J. Cullum	Cllr Leola Card
Cllr Thomas Day	Cllr G.B. Lyon
Cllr Bill O’Donovan	Cllr M.J. Tennant
Cllr C.P. Grattan	Cllr S. Trussler
Cllr Halleh Koohestani
Cllr Nadia Martin
Standing Deputies:
Labour:	Conservative:	Liberal Democrat
Cllr Sarah Spall	Cllr M.D. Smith	Cllr C.W. Card
Cllr Ivan Whitmee	Cllr Jacqui Vosper	Cllr T.W. Mitchell

                                                           

 

            POLICY AND PROJECT ADVISORY BOARD

 

            Voting Members

           

Labour: 6	Conservative: 4	Liberal Democrat: 1
Cllr Lisa Greenway	Cllr Sue Carter	Cllr T.W. Mitchell
Cllr Julie Hall	Cllr Peace Essien Igodifo
Cllr Rhian Jones	Cllr A.H. Gani
Cllr Halleh Koohestani	Cllr Steve Harden
Cllr M.J. Roberts
Cllr Ivan Whitmee
Standing Deputies:
Labour:	Conservative:	Liberal Democrat:
Cllr Thomas Day	Cllr A. Adeola	Cllr C.W. Card
Cllr C.P. Grattan	Cllr G.B. Lyon	Cllr Leola Card

 

 

(3)          To consider the nominations and appoint the Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of the Committees (the Labour Group nominations are set out below):

 

Development Management

Nominated Chairman                      -           Cllr Gaynor Austin

Nominated Vice-Chairman            -           Cllr C.P. Grattan

 

 

Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards

Nominated Chairman                      -           Cllr A.H. Crawford

Nominated Vice-Chairman            -           Cllr Bill O’Donovan

 

 

(4)          To consider the nominations and appoint the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Policy and Project Advisory Board (the Labour Group nominations are set out below):

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Nominated Chairman                      -           Cllr Halleh Koohestani

 

Policy and Project Advisory Board     

Nominated Chairman                      -           Cllr M.J. Roberts

 

 

(5)          To consider  ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.