The Mayor opened the meeting to speak on the recent tragic incident at The Study Prep School in Wimbledon. Councillors Barlow, Austin, Kohler and Foley also spoke.

The Mayor announced the death of former Councillor Maurice Groves and Councillor McLean also spoke.

The Mayor spoke on the recent death of Baroness Margaret McDonagh.

All presented observed a minutes’ silence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bokhari, Pearce and Szczepanski.

Councillors Braithwaite and Judge attended remotely.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2023 are agreed as an accurate record.

The Leader spoke on the incident at the Study, on former Councillor Maurice Groves and on Baroness McDonagh.

The Leader provided an update on Galpins Road and also spoke on Mitcham Carnival, Tennis and Pickleball Courts within the Borough and spoke to thank Louise Round, Managing Director South London Legal Partnership at her final Council meeting.

The Mayor thanked Councillors and the Mayoral Team for their support and assistance and provided a brief update on her events and activities.

There were no announcements from the Chief Executive.

The questions and written responses will be circulated at the meeting.

The responses to the written public questions were circulated prior to the meeting.  The Mayor then invited each of the questioners 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 ‘public questions to Cabinet Members’ published document.

The questions and written responses will be circulated at the meeting

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 Strategic Theme report on Building a Sustainable Future was moved by Councillor Irons and seconded by Councillor Alambritis.

Councillors Oliver, Hall, Fairclough and Judge also spoke on the item.

The Conservative Amendment to the report was moved by Councillor Cox and seconded by Councillor McLean.

The Liberal Democrat Amendment 1 to the report was moved by Councillor Gould and seconded by Councillor Page.

The Liberal Democrat Amendment 2 to the report was moved by Councillor Fairclough and seconded by Councillor Hicks.

The Conservative Amendment was put to a vote and fell: Votes for – 8, Against - 28, Abstentions - 16

The Liberal Democrat Amendment 1 was put to a vote and fell: Votes for – 24, Against – 28, Abstentions – 0.

The Liberal Democrat Amendment 2 was put to a vote and fell: Votes for – 24, Against - 28, Abstentions - 0

RESOLVED:  That the Strategic Theme report is agreed.

The questions and written responses will be circulated at the meeting.

The responses to the written member strategic theme 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 strategic theme priority questions to Cabinet Members’ published document.

It was also noted that a copy of the remaining Member questions and responses will be published after the meeting, in line with Constitutional requirements.

No Strategic Theme motions were submitted.

Councillor Flack presented the report which was received by the Council.

Councillor Kohler presented the report which was received by Council.

The motion was moved by Councillor Gould and seconded by Councillor Wilson.

Councillor Stringer also spoke on the item.

The motion was then put to a vote and fell – votes in favour: 24, votes against: 28, abstentions: 0.

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

The Liberal Democrat amendment to the report was moved by Councillor Page and seconded by Councillor Hall.

The Liberal Democrat amendment was put to a vote and fell: Votes for - 24 , Votes against – 28, Abstentions – 0.

RESOLVED:

A.    That Council noted the updates within the report on motions and amendments passed at Council during the previous municipal year

The report was moved by Councillor Christie and seconded by Councillor Garrod.

Councillor Fairclough also spoke on the item.

RESOLVED:

A. That Council approved the appointment of the Head of Law, Fabiola Hickson to be designated as the Monitoring Officer from 28 July 2023 until the permanent appointee begins in post on 6 September 2023 and agrees that she be authorised to carry out any actions delegated to the Managing Director, SLLP during that time.

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

Councillor Fairclough spoke on the item.

RESOLVED: 

That the Council:

1. Noted the changes to the membership of Committees that were approved under delegated authority since the last meeting of the Council.

2. Agreed the changes to the membership of Committees put forward by the groups for Council approval as detailed at paragraph 2.3 of the report

The report was formally moved by Councillor Garrod and formally seconded by Councillor Stringer.

RESOLVED

That Council

1.     Notes the update on the petition received at the last meeting,

2.     Accepts receipt of a petition presented by Councillor Cox entitled Stop ULEZ

        Accepts receipt of a petition presented by Councillor Gould entitled Eastway Day Care Centre

That the Strategic Theme for the next ordinary meeting of the Council, being held on 13 September 2023, shall be Nurturing Civic Pride.