Agenda and minutes

The Mayor Bill Price welcomed everyone to the Annual Council meeting.  It was with sadness that he advised the Council that past Mayor John Connew had recently died,  The Council observed a minutes silence in his memory. 

The Mayor then gave the following report on his year in office:

“Dignitaries, Councillors, Ladies & Gentlemen. This is the last time where I have the opportunity of thanking members of the Council for allowing me the honour of fulfilling the mayoral role. Of course the very sad and personally lonely part of the year for me, has been that for 11 months Gloria has not been able to accompany me due to her unfortunate ill-timed tragic illness.

During my year as deputy Gloria was by my side for most of the engagements and her happy disposition at all the events was testament to me that she would have thoroughly enjoyed her role as mayoress.

I would therefore like to thank my daughter Angela and Councillor Pam Adams for deputising for Gloria by accompanying me at some of the more important Civic functions during the year.

As I was absent at the last full Council meeting, which I understand was ably presided over by my Deputy Mayor, it is customary for Mayors to give their end of term speech at that meeting. So therefore I am going to break tradition and normal protocol and say a few words now, highlighting some of the more special events I have attended.

I have attended over 460 engagements over the past year including a Civic service at Westminster Abbey. The Lord Mayors parade, followed by a lunch at the Mansion House. The New Year’s Day parade. I hosted a day at Capel Manor which was attended by many dignitaries and most of the other London Mayors. Visits to both of our twin towns of Gladbeck last September, and Corbevoire only last weekend.

On the 28^th April I invited and was joined by nine other local London mayors for a tour of Forty Hall. Gavin Williams splendidly dressed as Sir Nicholas Rainton, the original owner, led the tour and that was followed by a buffet lunch.  The mayors were extremely impressed with Forty Hall and thought we were lucky to have such a wonderful estate in the borough.

The Mayors Ball, held last month at The Royal Chase Hotel was a huge success raising over £6,300. £1,150 of that was raised by auctioning two Spurs and Arsenal signed football shirts. Almost everyone remarked how they enjoyed the live entertainment.  I would like to thank Rhoda, the Mayor’s Secretary, who organised the function, ably assisted by Melanie, Norman, and Steve, who also helped in making it a superb event.

My charity appeal fund has just over £14,200 and rising, with more cheques coming in from the Fun Run, which incidentally was another successful well attended event. The majority of this fund is going to help the Trent Park Animal Hospital, and some also to be distributed to children’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

The Mayor’s Chaplain, the Reverend Stephen Leader gave a blessing on the Council.

To elect the Mayor of the London Borough of Enfield for the Municipal Year 2006/2007.

Moved by Councillor Rye, seconded by Councillor Rodin:

“That Councillor Tony Dey be elected Mayor of the London Borough of Enfield for the Municipal Year 2006/2007.”

On being put to the vote the motion was carried unanimously and Councillor Dey was duly elected Mayor.

RESOLVED accordingly.

Councillor Dey then made and signed a declaration of acceptance of office and was invested with the badge of office by the retiring Mayor, Bill Price. 

The Mayor left the chamber to be robed and then returned to the meeting.

3.1             Appointment of Mayoress

The Mayor to announce the appointment of the Mayoress for the Municipal Year 2006/2007.

3.2            Appointment of Deputy Mayor

To receive the Mayor’s written notice of the appointment of a Councillor of the London Borough of Enfield to be Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2006/2007 and record the appointment.

3.3            Appointment of Deputy Mayoress

The Deputy Mayor to announce the appointment of a Deputy Mayoress for the Municipal Year 2006/2007.

3.4            Election of Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council

To elect the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council.

The Mayor then announced the appointment of his wife, Margery Dey, as the Mayoress for the Municipal Year 2006/2007. He invested Mrs Dey with her badge of office.

The Mayor confirmed the appointment of Councillor Don Delman to be the Deputy Mayor for the Municipal Year 2006/2007.  The Deputy Mayor then made and signed a declaration of acceptance of office and was invested by the Mayor with his badge of office.  Councillor Delman then made a speech of thanks.

The Deputy Mayor then announced the appointment of Mrs Penny Heathwood, as the Deputy Mayoress for the Municipal Year 2006/2007. He invested Mrs Heathwood with her badge of office.

Councillor Lavender proposed Councillor Rye to be the Leader of the Council. Councillor Hurer seconded this. There were no other nominations for the post of Leader. The nomination was agreed.

The Mayor then asked for nominations for the Deputy Leader of the Council.

Councillor Rye proposed Councillor Lavender for the post of Deputy Leader of the Council. Councillor Hurer seconded this. There were no other nominations for the post of Deputy Leader. The nomination was agreed.

RESOLVED that Councillor Rye be appointed Leader of the Council and Councillor Lavender the Deputy Leader.

The Mayor welcomed everyone to the meeting and then made the following acceptance speech:

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome the Freemen of the Borough and distinguished guests, all councillors, those re-elected this time, all new members and those coming back after a period in civvy street.  May I also offer my commiserations to everyone defeated this time.

It is a real privilege to have been elected Mayor and I thank my colleagues for my nomination which has been supported by the Leader of the Opposition. I shall endeavour to serve the community to the best of my ability.

I was born in Hackney but my father bought a house in Enfield West the same year and we remained there until 1950.  My father was a bookmaker and he followed that job after war service in the REME.  I have a sister Belinda who I am pleased to say is able to be with us this evening.

I had a pretty poor record at Aldenham School (at least in the classroom) but I did however manage to represent the school at various sports obtaining colours at cricket, and I went on to play much club football, table tennis and cricket after leaving school.

I started work in a furniture factory, in 1964 I obtained my first post as Conservative Agent in St Pancras North – moving to Enfield Southgate in 1971 staying close on 20 years.  During that time I met Margery Ashby a school teacher whose mother Aileen was head at Freezywater St George and we married in 1975.  Chris was born in 1978 and Carolyn in 1981.  I am delighted that both are here with their partners this evening.

Following redundancy in 1993 I had to fall back on my part time job of buying and selling collectables.  This had augmented my salary and now augments my pension.

I was first elected to the Council in Worcesters Ward in August 1997 with Austin Spreadbury also here tonight I am pleased to say and I remember getting a pleasant welcome from the then party leaders Councillors Neville and Rodin.  I remained a member for Worcesters until 2002 when boundary changes put most but not all of Worcesters into Chase.

As most of you who know me well will be aware that I am not a regular churchgoer but Margery is and has been a lifelong worshipper at St Paul’s Winchmore Hill.  I have asked the Reverend John Paul to be the Mayor’s Chaplain for 2006/07.

As is customary I shall be fundraising for the Mayor’s appeal.  With the exception of the Southgate Homebound and Disabled Association, which I wish to support specifically, I shall be devoting the appeal to charities for Children and Active Life Styles,to compliment Margery and my interests.”

On behalf of the Council, the Mayor will present past Mayor’s and past Mayoress’ badges to Bill Price and Gloria Price.

The Mayor presented past Mayor’s and Mayoress’ badges and scrolls recording the Council’s appreciation to the retiring Mayor, Bill Price and Mayoress Gloria Price which was accepted by their daughter Angela.

The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, thanked them for the contribution they had made as Mayor and Mayoress during the Municipal Year 2005/2006.

The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, thanked Councillor Adams for her support to the Mayor at numerous engagements during the year and presented her with a gift in appreciation of her help.

The Leader of the Conservative Group and the Leader of the Labour Group were presented with a small token of appreciation.

The Mayor had no announcements.

To approve as a correct record, the minutes of the Council meeting held on 29 March 2006.

RESOLVED the minutes of the Council meeting held on 29 March 2006 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors T Smith and Taylor.

Members are asked to identify any personal or prejudicial interests relevant to any items on the agenda.  See enclosure B for guidance.

Councillor Vince declared a personal interest in Item 13 – School Appeal Panel and confirmed that she would leave the Chamber if the Council wished to debate the appointments.

12.1    Urgent Questions (Part 4 - Paragraph 9.2.(b) of Constitution – Page 4-9)

With the permission of the Mayor, questions on urgent issues may be tabled with the proviso of a subsequent written response if the issue requires research or is considered by the Mayor to be minor.

Please note that the Mayor will decide whether a question is urgent or not.  The definition of an urgent question is “An issue which could not reasonably have been foreseen or anticipated prior to the deadline for the submission of questions and which needs to be considered before the next meeting of the Council.”

A supplementary question is not permitted.

12.2            Councillors’ Questions (Part 4 – Paragraph 9.2(a) of Constitution – Page 4 - 8)

None received.

No questions were received.

None received.

No motions were received.

                                                                        (Report No. 1 – TO FOLLOW)

To receive the report of the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources, asking the Council to determine the constitution and political balance of the committees, joint committees and panels that have been set up for the discharge of the Council’s functions.

Moved by Councillor Hurer and Seconded by Councillor Rye the report of the Borough Secretary (No. 1) regarding the constitution and political balance of the committees, joint committees and panels that have been set up for the discharge of the Council’s functions.

RESOLVED

(1)       that the seats on the committees and boards to which Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 apply, be allocated to each political party, as set out in Appendix A of the report. 

(2)       without dissent, that the rules of political proportionality should not apply to the Adoption Panel and the Standards Committee.

The Mayor advised that Items 12 and 13 on the agenda related to the appointments to Council committees, panels and outside bodies.  He confirmed that because of the short period of time between the nominations being received and this Council meeting, further work was required on the detail.  He highlighted that some of the nominations to outside bodies are non-councillors. He confirmed that the legal advice he had received confirmed that this was permissible. However, this was subject to the individual constitutions of each of the bodies concerned allowing lay members to serve as Council representatives plus the indemnity and insurance position. This would be checked after this meeting.

He sought the agreement of the Council to authorise the Borough Secretary to agree any consequent changes to both the detailed lists for Council committees, panels and outside bodies (agenda items 12 and 13) with the political groups. He advised that confirmation of any changes would be reported to back to Council.

RESOLVED that the Borough Secretary be authorised to agree any consequent changes to both the detailed lists for Council committees, panels and outside bodies with the political groups.

                                                                                                   (TO FOLLOW)

12.1         To establish Council bodies for the coming Municipal Year and to appoint  memberships to these (see list on yellow).

12.2         To confirm the terms of reference of those bodies set out in Part 2 (pages 2-27 to 2-58) of the Constitution.

Moved by Councillor Hurer and Seconded by Councillor Rye the appointment of the proposed memberships of Cabinet, Committees, Panels and other council bodies for approval by the Council.

RESOLVED

(1)       to establish Council bodies for the coming Municipal Year and to appoint memberships to these as tabled and further amended at the meeting;

(2)       to confirm the terms of reference of those bodies set out in Part 2 (pages 2-27 to 2-58) of the Constitution.

                                                                                                   (TO FOLLOW)

To consider the Council’s representation on other bodies and organisations as required (see list on green).

Moved by Councillor Hurer and Seconded by Councillor Rye the appointment of the proposed Council representation on other bodies and organisations.

NOTED the legal advice relating to the appointments detailed in Minute 17 above.

RESOLVED that the Council’s representation on other bodies and organisations, as set out on the agenda be approved.

The Council is asked to agree the authority’s Scheme of Delegation as set out in Part 3 (pages 3-3 to 3-12) of the Constitution.

RESOLVED to approve the authority’s Scheme of Delegation as set out in Part 3 (pages 3-3 to 3-12) of the Constitution.

   (TO FOLLOW)

(a)       To approve the calendar of Council meetings, including the next Council Meeting on Wednesday, 28 June 2006 at 7.00 p.m. at the Civic Centre.  The draft calendar has been the subject of consultation with Council Departments and both political groups.

(b)               The Council is asked to approve the calendar subject to any further changes/additions being delegated to the Borough Secretary, in consultation with both party groups.

Moved by Councillor Hurer and Seconded by Councillor Rye to approve the calendar of meetings for the 2006/2007 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED

(1)       to approve the calendar of Council meetings for the 2006/2007 Municipal Year, including the next Council Meeting on Wednesday, 28 June 2006 at 7.00 p.m. at the Civic Centre. 

(2)       that further changes/additions to the calendar be delegated to the Borough Secretary, in consultation with the party groups.

None received.

There were no called in decisions.

The next meeting of the Council will be held on Wednesday 28 June 2006 at 7.00p.m. at the Civic Centre.

NOTED that the next meeting of the Council was to be held on Wednesday 28 June 2006 at 7.00p.m. at the Civic Centre.