Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Majella Anning, Nas Asghar, Joshua Ayodele, Peter Baker, Linda Bird, Clare Burke-McDonald, Issy Cooke, John Fahy, Denise Hyland, Averill Lekau, Sarah-Jane Merrill, Maisie Richards Cottell, Lakshan Saldin, Denise Scott-McDonald, Christine St Matthew-Daniel and Nick Williams.

Apologies for lateness were given for Councill Rowshan Hannan.

The Mayor welcomed Councillor Roger Tester back to the Chamber after his recent election to the Mottingham, Coldharbour and New Eltham Ward.

The Mayor informed Council that the Mayor’s Charities for the municipal year were the Commonwealth and Gurkha Garden Project and Bowel Cancer UK. He informed Council that the Commonwealth and Gurkha Garden Project would create a garden at St George’s Garrison Church, Woolwich which would be open to the public to remember and celebrate the Gurkha’s contribution to the Commonwealth, and that Bowel Cancer UK provided help and support to people suffering from the disease and campaigned to raise awareness of it.

Resolved-

That the list of Councillors’ memberships as Council appointed representatives on outside bodies, joint committees and school governing bodies is noted

There were no requests to exceed the five minute rule.

Noted the report, setting out the work undertaken by the Audit and Risk Management Panel during 2023/24.

The Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Panel, Councillor David Gardner, presented the report.

Councillor Matt Hartley thanked the previous Chair of the Panel, Councillor Clare Burke-McDonald, for her work over the previous two years.

Resolved –

That the report, setting out the work undertaken by the Audit and Risk Management Panel during 2023/24 be noted.

Agreed the proposed work programme for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and its Scrutiny Panels for 2024-25 as set out at the Appended Appendix A, put forward in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

Agreed to delegate authority to the Chief Executive to vary the programme in consultation with the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Mayor stated the document named “Addendum 2” was the version of Appendix A that Council was considering.

The Chair of Overview and Scrutiny, Councillor Lauren Dingsdale, presented the report. Councillor Dingsdale thanked the previous Chair of Overview and Scrutiny, Councillor Clare Burke-McDonald, and also the Chairs of the previous Panels, for their work in the previous two years.

The Mayor put the matter to the vote and it was unanimously

Resolved –

1.            That the proposed work programme for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and its Scrutiny Panels for 2024-25 as set out at the Appended Appendix A, put forward in accordance with the Council’s Constitution be agreed.

2.            That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive to vary the programme in consultation with the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Approved the changes to Part 4, Schedule G of the Council’s Constitution as set out in Appendix A

Approved the changes to Part 5, Section B of the Council’s Constitution as set out in Appendix B.

Approved the changes to Part 3, Schedule E of the Council’s Constitution as set out in Appendix C.

The Mayor moved the report.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Anthony Okereke, noted the new contract standing orders were a result of legislation change. Councillor Okereke was grateful that there was a new onus on delivering more social value, and he added the Council would continue to work toward enhancing what it did for its residents.

Councillor Chris Lloyd requested that he be made a member of the Constitutional Review Working Group as he was now a member of another political party.

Councillor Matt Hartley, leader of the minority group, did not feel there was a reason for changing the composition of the Working Group but stated he was happy to liaise with Councillor Lloyd over matters raised at the Working Group.

Councillor Anthony Okereke, leader of the majority group, noted that Councillor Lloyd could engage in discussions about the constitution during meetings of Council.

The Mayor put the matter to the vote and with the majority in favour, and one abstention, it was

Resolved -

1.            That the changes to Part 4, Schedule G of the Council’s Constitution as set out in Appendix Abe approved.

2.            That the changes to Part 5, Section B of the Council’s Constitution as set out in Appendix Bbe approved.

3.            That the changes to Part 3, Schedule E of the Council’s Constitution as set out in Appendix Cbe approved.

Noted the changes made to the executive functions scheme of delegation as detailed in Section 4 of the report.

Resolved -  

That the changes made to the executive functions scheme of delegation as detailed in Section 4 of the report be noted.