Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Nick Draper, Mark Kenny, Paul Kohler, Peter McCabe, Hayley Ormrod, Carl Quilliam and Dave Ward.

There were no declarations of interest made.

HONORARY FREEDOM OF THE BOROUGH

Council is recommended to agree to present the person named below with a certificate conferring upon them the title of Honorary Freeman of the Borough affixed with the common seal of the Council.

The motion to be duly moved and seconded is:

That, by virtue of the power vested in it by Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council does admit Philip Jones as Freeman of the London Borough of Merton.

This honour is bestowed on Philip Jones in recognition of the substantial contribution he made to the Borough as a Councillor for the Ravensbury ward in over 39 cumulative years of service, since his election to the Council in 1971, including serving as Deputy Mayor in the municipal year 2007/2008; and his extensive civic service.

In particular, Philip was an active member of the local community, chairing the Morden Community Forum, as well as being a member of the Environment Committee and of the Planning Committee, with 10 years as chair of the latter.  He also served as a School Governor for Malmesbury School in his ward and was a Trustee of the Merton and Morden Guild of Social Services, championing the improvement of local health and social care facilities for the residents of Merton and was instrumental in the building of the medical centre on Morden Road. Philip has been a lifelong resident of Morden and a dedicated former employee of the trade union then called NALGO and now known as UNISON.

Note by Chief Executive: Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972 requires a resolution conferring the title of Honorary Alderman to be passed by not less than two thirds of the Members voting thereon.

The Mayor invited the Leader of the Council and the Leader of the Opposition to speak on the motion.

Councillor Stephen Alambritis:

“I, Cllr Stephen Alambritis, being the duly elected leader of the council of the aforementioned borough of Merton on this the 12^th day of the month of July, in this the year of our Lord of 2018

do hereby move to recommend to this council to agree to present Philip Jones, with a certificate conferring upon him the title of Honorary Freeman of the Borough affixed with the common seal of the Council.

I therefore move and Cllr Oonagh Moulton the leader of the Opposition will second

That, by virtue of the power vested in it by Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council does admit Philip Jones as Freeman of the London Borough of Merton

This honour is bestowed on Philip Jones in recognition of the substantial contribution he made to the Borough as a Councillor for the Ravensbury ward in over 39 cumulative years of service, since his election to the Council in 1971, including serving as Deputy Mayor in the municipal year 2007/2008; and his extensive civic service.

In particular, Philip was an active member of the local community, chairing the Morden Community Forum, as well as being a member of the Environment Committee and of the Planning Committee with 10 years as chair of the latter committee. 

He also served as a School Governor for Malmesbury School in his ward and was a Trustee of the Merton and Morden Guild of Social Services championing the improvement of local health and social care facilities for the residents of Merton

And was instrumental in the building of the medical centre on Morden Road

Philip has been a lifelong resident of Morden and a dedicated former employee of the trade union then called NALGO and now known as UNISON

Madam Mayor

That is the legal stuff out of the way

Let us get personal now

Philip Mervin Jones was born in Northamptonshire after his parents were evacuated there during the Second World War

When the war ended the family moved back to Maycross Avenue in Morden

Aged 11 the young Philip with his collection of Eagle comics in his satchel attended Rutlish Boys School in Mostyn Road

After school and armed with a good degree from Sheffield University the 21 year old young man enjoyed a career as the Education Officer to NALGO

The National and Local Government Officers’ Association was a major British trade union representing ‘white collar’ workers having been set up in 1905

By the late 1970s it was the largest union with over 700,000 members

Its vice presidents included the Earl of Derby and one Neville Chamberlain

And so it came to pass that Philip chose to join the Labour Party

Philip first put his hat in the ring as a local council candidate in 1968 but that year saw a rare Conservative landslide and so undeterred in May  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Council is recommended to agree to present former Councillors John Bowcott, Andrew Judge, Gilli Lewis-Lavender, Ian Munn and Judy Saunders respectively with a certificate conferring on them the title of Honorary Alderman duly affixed with the common seal of the Council.

The motions to be moved and seconded are:

1)    ‘That former Councillor John Bowcott is conferred with the title of Honorary Alderman of the London Borough of Merton in recognition of his loyal and distinguished service to the Council over many years.’

2)    ‘That former Councillor Andrew Judge is conferred with the title of Honorary Alderman of the London Borough of Merton in recognition of his loyal and distinguished service to the Council over many years.’

3)    ‘That former Councillor Gilli Lewis-Lavender is conferred with the title of Honorary Alderman of the London Borough of Merton in recognition of her loyal and distinguished service to the Council over many years.’

4)    ‘That former Councillor Ian Munn is conferred with the title of Honorary Alderman of the London Borough of Merton in recognition of his loyal and distinguished service to the Council over many years.’

5)    ‘That former Councillor Judy Saunders is conferred with the title of Honorary Alderman of the London Borough of Merton in recognition of her loyal and distinguished service to the Council over many years.’

Note by Chief Executive: Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972 requires a resolution conferring the title of Honorary Alderman/woman to be passed by not less than two thirds of the Members voting thereon.

1.            Honorary Alderman – former Councillor John Bowcott

The Mayor asked for a proposer and a seconder for the motion to confer the title of Honorary Alderman on former Councillor John Bowcott.

Councillor Oonagh Moulton:

“Madame Mayor I am delighted to move this motion conferring the title of Honorary Alderman upon our former Conservative councillor John Bowcott and which is a fitting recognition of his length of service, civic duty and distinguished commitment to our borough and to the residents of Village Ward whom he has served so loyally.

John was first elected in 2002 with the class that includes myself and David Simpson. He quickly established himself on the Planning Committee and gave distinguished service which has received widespread recognition and support across the Borough.

In addition he was the Deputy Mayor 2012-13 to Cllr David Williams and I can recall many great occasions & events with him and his wonderful Deputy Mayoress and consort Leslie.

Madame Mayor, Honorary Alderman is a fitting tribute to bestow on one of our distinguished former members and who has given so much of his time, so freely to the service of the Borough.

Madam Mayor I move this motion.”

Councillor Stephen Alambritis:

“It gives me great pleasure to second this.  John Bowcott – committed, courteous, hard working, never angry, works across party lines – a real gentleman.

A pleasure to second Madam Mayor.”

Councillors Daniel Holden and David Williams also addressed the meeting speaking in support of the motion.

The Mayor then called for a vote on the Motion and reminded the Council that under Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, it requires more than a two thirds majority of Members passing the motion for the Honorary Alderman to be bestowed.

The vote was carried, unanimously.

RESOLVED:

That former Councillor John Bowcott is conferred with the title of Honorary Alderman of the London Borough of Merton in recognition of his loyal and distinguished service to the Council over many years.

2.            Honorary Alderman – former Councillor Andrew Judge

The Mayor asked for a proposer and a seconder for the motion to confer the title of Honorary Alderman on former Councillor Andrew Judge.

Councillor Stephen Alambritis:

“Thank you Madam Mayor for calling me for this second motion that former Councillor Andrew Judge to confer him with the title of Honorary Alderman for the London Borough of Merton in recognition of his loyal and distinguished service to the Council over many many years. A hugely successful former Leader of the Council, Andrew improved the standing of this Council immensely during his time as Leader. He had great attention to detail, passionate about football; a Manchester City fan; we’ll forgive him for that. But an AFC Wimbledon fan too and fought successfully to bring the club back to the Borough in Plough Lane. Major achievement in working with officers brought him the internationally acclaimed Merton Rule on the Environment, climate change and especially with regard to commercial buildings. The great and brilliant barrister  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The report was moved by Councillor Stephen Alambritis and seconded by Councillor Oonagh Moulton.

Councillors Anthony Fairclough and Peter Southgate also addressed the meeting and spoke on the item.

RESOLED

That, following their retirement from membership of the Council, the Council places on record its sincere appreciation of the valuable services rendered to the Borough by the former members listed in the appendix to these minutes and extends to them its grateful thanks for their activities on behalf of the Borough.