Annual Council Meeting, Council - Tuesday, 20th May, 2025 7.00 pm - Agenda and draft minutes

Cllr Keith Dibble will move and Cllr Sophie Porter will second:

 

“That Councillor CALUM STEWART be elected Mayor of the Borough to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2026.”

 

On his election, the Mayor will make his 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 Mrs Shani Stewart as the Mayoress.

Nominations were invited for the election of the Mayor of the Borough for the Municipal Year 2025/26. It was MOVED by Cllr Keith Dibble; SECONDED by Cllr Sophie Porter - That Cllr Calum Stewart be elected Mayor of the Borough to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2026.

 

RESOLVED: That Councillor CALUM STEWART be elected Mayor of the Borough to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2026.

 

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

 

THE MAYOR (CLLR CALUM STEWART) IN THE CHAIR

 

The Mayor thanked his proposer and seconder for their kind words, and the Council for supporting his nomination and placing trust in him to represent the Borough, which he accepted with great pride and humility.

 

The Mayor announced that he would be standing as an Independent Member during his mayoral year, a move he strongly believed was right for the council at this time. He also reported that he would be reintroducing the Rushmoor Community Award, to be known as the “Mayor’s Award”, at each Council meeting an individual or group would be recognised for their contribution to the Borough. In addition, instead of supporting a number of local charities, the Mayor would be supporting young people to “be the best they can be”. A fund would be established, in collaboration with Alderwood School, aimed at helping to finance aspirational programmes and enrichment opportunities for its students.

 

The Mayor signified the appointment of his mother, Mrs Shani Stewart as his Mayoress and advised that he would not be appointing a Chaplain, but instead would invite a range of speakers of faith, and none, to address the meetings of the council over the next year, to say a prayer or share some reflections.

To record the Council’s appreciation of the excellent service rendered by Councillor Mara Makunura as Mayor and Miss Salwexeya Makunura as Mayoress during the Municipal Year 2024/25. An illuminated scroll shall be presented, together with a Past Mayor’s Badge, to Councillor Makunura and a Past Mayoress’ Badge to Miss Salwexeya Makunura.

It was MOVED by Cllr M.J. Tennant; SECONDED by Cllr Lisa Greenway and

 

RESOLVED: That the Council place on record its appreciation of the excellent service rendered by Councillor Mara Makunura as Mayor of the Borough and Ms Salwexeya Makunura as Mayoress during the Municipal Year 2024/25.

 

The Mayor congratulated Cllr Makunura and presented her with a framed, illuminated scroll, together with a Past Mayor's Badge and a Past Mayoress’s Badge for Ms Salwexeya Makunura.

 

In response, Cllr Makunura thanked the proposer and seconder for their kind words. She acknowledged the support of her family, in particular, her husband who had been a “rock” to her throughout the year and her “powerhouse” of a Mayoress and daughter who had juggled a full-time job to support the role of the Mayor and become a great role model for others. She also thanked her Chaplain, Reverend Coleen Kusi-Agyapong, who had been a great support and inspiration to her.

 

Cllr Makunura thanked officers for their support, in particular Mrs Amanda Hanson for her administrative support and dedication to the role, and Cllr Stewart, in his role as Deputy Mayor, for his support and encouragement during a challenging year of council meetings.

 

Cllr Makunura referred to some particular highlights of the Mayoral Year, including celebrating 50 years of Rushmoor Borough Council, the opening of Union Yard, Aldershot, Aldershot Town Football Club winning at Wembley and international visits for Meudon, France and Oberursel, Germany. She was also pleased to report that in excess of £5,000 had been raised for her charities, through fundraising activities such as a fashion show, sponsored walk and charity gala event.

 

Cllr Makunura stated that it had been an honour of a lifetime to serve as Mayor and wished all a brilliant year.

Cllr Steve Harden will move and Cllr G.B. Lyon will second:

“That Councillor PETER JAMES CULLUM be elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2026.”

 

On his election, Councillor Peter Cullum 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 Steve Harden; SECONDED by Cllr G.B. Lyon – That Cllr Peter James Cullum be elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2026.

 

RESOLVED: That Councillor PETER JAMES CULLUM be elected Deputy Mayor of the Borough to hold office until the Annual Meeting of the Council in 2026.

 

Cllr P.J. Cullum 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.

 

The Deputy Mayor signified the appointment of his wife, Mrs Ann Cullum as his Deputy Mayoress.

To confirm the minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 10th April 2025 (copy Minutes herewith).

It was MOVED by Cllr Gareth Williams; SECONDED by Cllr Sophie Porter and

 

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council on 10th April 2025 (copy having been circulated previously) be taken as read, approved and signed as a correct record.

To consider the nominations and appoint the Leader of the Council to hold office until the Annual Meeting in 2026. Cllr Gareth Williams has been nominated by the Labour Group.

It was MOVED by Cllr Thomas Day; 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 2026.  

 

There voted FOR: 19; AGAINST: 11; ABSTAIN: 6 and the Motion was DECLARED CARRIED.

(1)  To note the appointment of the Deputy Leader and the following councillors as Cabinet Portfolio Holders for the Municipal Year 2025/26, as made by the Leader of the Council:

 

Cllr Sophie Porter	Deputy Leader and Healthy Communities & Active Lives
Cllr A.H. Crawford	Finance & Resources
Cllr Jules Crossley	Policy, Performance & Sustainability
Cllr Keith Dibble	Housing & Planning
Cllr Christine Guinness	Pride in Place / Neighbourhood Services
Cllr Julie Hall	Economy, Skills & Regeneration

 

(2)  To consider and approve the Appointments to Committees for the Municipal Year 2025/26 as follows in accordance with the allocations to achieve political balance indicated:

 

DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

 

Voting Members

           

Labour: 6	Conservative: 5
Cllr Gaynor Austin	Cllr Peace Essien Igodifo
Cllr Thomas Day	Cllr A.H. Gani
Cllr C.P. Grattan	Cllr S.J. Masterson
Cllr Lisa Greenway	Cllr Calum Stewart
Cllr Dhan Sarki	Cllr Jacqui Vosper
Cllr Ivan Whitmee
Standing Deputies:
Labour:	Conservative:
Cllr Rhian Jones	Cllr G.B. Lyon
Cllr Nadia Martin	Cllr P.J. Cullum

 

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 Sue Carter		Cllr C.W. Card
Cllr Rhian Jones	Cllr P.J. Cullum
Cllr Bill O’Donovan	Cllr P.G. Taylor
Cllr M.J. Roberts	Cllr Jacqui Vosper
Cllr Sarah Spall
Cllr Becky Williams
Standing Deputies:
Labour:	Conservative:		Liberal Democrat:
Cllr Thomas Day Cllr Ivan Whitmee	Cllr A.H. Gani Cllr S.J. Masterson		Cllr Leola Card Cllr T.W. Mitchell

 

 

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITEE

 

            Voting Members

           

Labour: 6	Conservative: 4	Liberal Democrat: 1
Cllr Abe Allen	Cllr Steve Harden	Cllr Leola Card
Cllr Thomas Day	Cllr G.B. Lyon
Cllr Halleh Koohestani	Cllr M.J. Tennant
Cllr Nadia Martin	Cllr S. Trussler
Cllr Bill O’Donovan
Cllr Becky Williams
Standing Deputies:
Labour:	Conservative:	Liberal Democrat
Cllr Sarah Spall	Cllr Ade Adeola	Cllr C.W. Card
Cllr C.P. Grattan	Cllr Mara Makunura	Cllr T.W. Mitchell

                                                           

 

            POLICY AND PROJECT ADVISORY BOARD

 

            Voting Members

           

Labour: 6	Conservative: 4	Liberal Democrat: 1
Cllr Abe Allen	Cllr Ade Adeola	Cllr T.W. Mitchell
Cllr Lisa Greenway	Cllr Peace Essien Igodifo
Cllr Rhian Jones	Cllr Mara Makunura
Cllr Halleh Koohestani	Cllr M.D. Smith
Cllr M.J. Roberts
Cllr Ivan Whitmee
Standing Deputies:
Labour:	Conservative:	Liberal Democrat:
Cllr Dhan Sarki	Cllr Steve Harden	Cllr C.W. Card
Cllr C.P. Grattan	Cllr S.J. Masterson	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 Bill O’Donovan

Nominated Vice-Chairman            -           Cllr Rhian Jones

 

 

(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 Abe Allen

 

 

(5)      To consider and  ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.