Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Attawar, Dollimore, Flack and McGrath.

Councillor Kaweesa attended online.

There were no declarations of interest.

It was moved by Councillor Macauley and seconded by Councillor Christie that Councillor Slawek Szczepanski be elected Mayor of the London Borough of Merton for the 2024/25 municipal year.

Councillors McLean and Charles also spoke in support of the nomination.

(Copies of their speeches are attached at Appendix A to these minutes).

There not being any other nominations, the Mayor put it to the meeting and it was

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY

Councillor Szczepanski signed the declaration of office and was invested with the Mayor’s chain and badge of office.

The Mayor announced that their Deputy Mayor for the 2024/25 municipal year would be Councillor Fraser. Councillor Fraser signed the declaration of office and was invested with the Deputy Mayor’s badge of office.

The Mayor announced that their consort would be Kamila Dyczko.

The Mayor presented badges to the outgoing Mayor, Deputy Mayor and their respective consorts.

The Mayor, Councillor Szczepanski thanked the Council for their election for the forthcoming year and announced that their two Mayoral charities would be University College London Hospitals Charity UK, in support of research into Glioblastoma and Christian Care. 

(A copy of their acceptance speech is attached at Appendix B to these minutes).

CouncThe Mayor invited Councillor Manly to receive the Council’s vote of thanks.

The Leader of the Council Councillor Garrod, moved and the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Fairclough seconded the vote of thanks to the retiring Mayor.

The Leader of the Merton Park Ward Independent Residents Group Councillor Foley, Councillor Oliver and Councillor Hicks all also spoke to the vote of thanks.

Councillor Manly spoke to respond to the vote of thanks.

(A copy of these speeches is attached at Appendix C to these minutes).

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

That the Council places on record its sincere thanks and appreciation to Councillor Gill Manly for the dedicated manner in which she has served as Mayor of the London Borough of Merton for the year 2023-2024.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2024 are agreed as an accurate record.

The Leader of the Council spoke to thank the outgoing Executive Director of Children, Lifelong Learning and Families as they retired from the post and then moved the report.

The report was seconded by Councillor Bhim.

Councillor Fairclough also spoke to the report.

RESOLVED:

That Council:

A.   i) approves the constitution of committees, sub-committees and scrutiny bodies set out in Appendix A and;

ii) agrees the allocation of seats, chair and vice-chair positions and the appointment of members to those seats;

iii) agrees the terms of reference of such bodies to be as currently set out in the Constitution.

B.   i) approves the constitution of consultative forums and other bodies set out at Appendix B and

ii) agrees the appointments of members to those seats

iii) agrees the terms of reference of such bodies to be as currently set out in the Constitution.

C. agrees the allocation of seats and appointment to the outside organisations as detailed in Appendix C.

D. agrees the terms of reference of consultative and other bodies appointed by the Council where these are not included within the Constitution as detailed in Appendix D.

E. notes the appointment to the Cabinet including their respective portfolios in Appendix E.

F. agrees that the Council’s Constitution be amended to incorporate any changes resulting from the approval of recommendations A to E.

The report was moved by Councillor Bhim and seconded by Councillor Stringer.

RESOLVED:

A. That Council approves the Calendar of Meetings at Appendix A.

B. That Council approves the amended dates of Council meetings for 2024-25 listed within Appendix A

The report was moved by Councillor Judge and seconded by Councillor Alambritis.

Councillor Fairclough also spoke on the item.

RESOLVED:

A. That Full Council approves the recommendations from the Appointments Committee that the salary packages for the roles listed in section 4 below should be agreed in accordance with the Council’s Pay Policy Statement