There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Leader of the Council led a vote of thanks for the Deputy Lieutenant, Ms Clare Whelan, on her retirement.  Councillors McLean, Macauley, Moulton and Southgate also spoke on the vote of thanks. 

The Mayor advised that a framed citation would be presented outside the meeting.  Ms Clare Whelan then gave a short speech of thanks.

A copy of the speeches on the vote of thanks are attached as Appendix A to these minutes.

The motion was formally moved by Councillor Alambritis and formally seconded by Councillor Allison.

There being no dissent to the motion it was

RESOLVED:

That the order of business be varied so that the agenda will only consist of the following:

5)    Public questions

6)    Member questions

7)    Social Media Guidance

8)    Amendments to constitution: officer employment procedure rules/ appointment committee terms of reference and delegation of authority to implement Covid-19 emergency action

9)    Appointment of Director of Children, Schools and Families; and Assistant Director of Public Protection

10)  Nomination of the next Strategic Theme

The responses to the written public questions were circulated prior to the meeting.  The Mayor then invited those who had notified the Council in advance to ask a further question to the Cabinet Member.  A copy of the supplementary questions and responses will be included in the ‘public questions to Cabinet Members’ published document.

The responses to the written member ordinary priority questions were circulated prior to the meeting.  The Mayor then invited each of the members in turn to ask (if they wished) a further question to the Cabinet Member.  A copy of the supplementary questions and responses will be included in the ‘member ordinary priority questions to Cabinet Members’ published document.

The report was moved by Councillor McCabe and formally seconded by Councillor Allison.

There being no dissent to the recommendations it was

RESOLVED that the Social Media Guidance for Councillors be adopted.

The report was formally moved by Councillor Alambritis and formally seconded by Councillor Allison.

There being no dissent to the recommendations it was

RESOLVED

1.    That the Scheme of Delegation to the Chief Executive set out in Part 3E of the Constitution will be amended to reflect the decision of the Cabinet on 7 September 2020 to delegate authority to implement the local lockdown provisions set out in The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 SI 2020 No.750 to the Chief Executive;

2.    That the amended Terms of Reference for the Appointments Committee and Officer Employment Procedure Rules, as set out in Appendices A and B respectively be approved;

3.    That authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer to amend the Council’s constitution to incorporate any direct or consequential changes resulting from the approval of recommendation B above; and

4.    That it be noted that the Standards and General PurposesCommittee agreed at its meeting on 23 July 2020 to commence a review of the Council’s constitution and to appoint a working group of members to carry out that review in conjunction with the Monitoring Officer, with a view to reporting back to Council in February 2021.

The report was formally moved by Councillor Allison and formally seconded by Councillor Alambritis.

There being no dissent to the recommendations it was

RESOLVED

1.    That the recruitment salary package of £96,840 to £101,193 per annum for the post of Assistant Director, Public Protection as required by the Council’s pay policy statement be approved.

2.    That the commencement of the recruitment process for a replacement Director of Children, Schools and Families within the current Merton Director salary package of £108,564 to £125,829 per annum, plus market supplement payable at such a rate as the Chief Executive, in consultation with chair of the Appointment Committee considers reasonable and necessary in order to attract excellent candidates, be approved. 

The Leader of the Council made a personal statement announcing his stepping down as Leader of the Council and Leader of the Labour Group after 10 years.  Council would elect its new Leader at the next meeting.

A copy of the Leader’s speech is attached at Appendix B to the minutes.

Councillors McCabe, Christie, Henry, Allison, McLean and Williams paid tribute to the Leader.  The Mayor advised that further tributes and speeches could be given at the next meeting on 18 November 2020.

The Leader of the Council advised that the Strategic Theme for the next ordinary meeting of the Council, being held on 18 November 2020, shall be Health and Wellbeing with a focus on healthy living.