Issue - meetings

In advance of agenda item 3 – Election of Mayor 2021/ 2022, Councillor Malik (the Deputy Mayor in the Chair) stated that as he was one of the nominations for the position of the Mayor, he therefore was unable to preside over an election in which he was involved. As a result, he would be leaving the Chair for the next agenda item Election of Mayor 2021/ 2022. As there was no Deputy to take the Chair Councillor Malik called for nominations for a member to be the Temporary Chair of the Full Council the Election of Mayor 2021/ 2022.

Before the vote on the Temporary Chair could take place, Councillor Crow put forward a Procedural Motion in accordance with FCPR 11.1 (q)) To suspend a particular Full Council Procedure Rule, namely in relation to suspend the Chair’s casting vote. This was seconded by Councillor McCarthy. Councillor Lamb spoke against the Procedural Motion.

The Deputy Mayor in the Chair, then called a vote on the Procedural Motion. The vote was a tie split 18 for and 18 against the Procedural Motion.  

Councillor Crow then raised a point of order that FCPR 13. Suspension of Full Council Procedure Rules, 13.1 stated that All Full Council Procedure Rules, except Rules 1.2(C1) (signing of minutes) and 10.4 (holding a recorded vote), may be suspended if at least one half of the whole number of Councillors present vote in favour of that suspension. Suspension will only apply for the duration of that meeting.

Following the points raised by Councillor Crow, the Deputy Mayor in the Chair called for an adjournment to seek advice from the Monitoring Officer.

On resumption of the meeting the Deputy Mayor in the Chair confirmed that the Procedural Motion moved by Councillor Crow had been carried as a result of the vote which had taken place just prior to the adjournment. It was carried because the threshold of at least one half, as set out in FCPR 13.1, had been met.

Nominations were then sought for the Temporary Chair, Councillor Ayling seconded by Councillor P Smith proposed Councillor Jones, whilst Councillor Crow seconded by Councillor McCarthy proposed Councillor Lanzer.

A voted was then called with Councillor Jones receiving 18 votes and Councillor Lanzer receiving 18 votes and the votes were tied with the casting vote having been suspended. The meeting could not proceed without a Temporary Chair as there is a constitutional requirement to have a Chair in place for a Full Council meeting. The Deputy Mayor in the Chair then read out section 8.1 of the Introduction to Crawley Borough Council’s Constitution, namely 8.1 Suspension: A motion to suspend any rules will not be moved without notice unless at least one half of the whole number of Councillors are present. The extent and duration of suspension will be proportionate to the result to be achieved and the purpose of any suspension should be to enhance the democratic process, not restrict it.

The Deputy Mayor in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3

To elect a Mayor for the Council year 2021/ 2022.

The Labour nomination for Mayor for 2021/ 2022 is Councillor Shahzad Malik*

The Conservative nomination for the Mayor for 2021/ 2022 is Councillor Maureen Mwagale

Both nominations will be formally moved and seconded at the meeting in advance of the vote on the Mayoralty.

* Councillor Malik is Deputy Mayor and is in the Chair of the Full Council at the start of this item. As he is a nominee he is unable to preside over an election in which he is involved. Therefore Councillor Malik will relinquish the Chair for the item. As such he will seek nominations for a temporary Chair for this item – Election of Mayor 2021/ 2022.  

Councillor Jones called for nominations for the election of the new Mayor. It was proposed by Councillor S Mullins, seconded by Councillor B Smith, that Councillor Malik be appointed as Mayor, whilst Councillor R G Burgess, seconded by Councillor Burrett, proposed the appointment of Councillor Mwagale. A vote was taken.

RESOLVED

That Councillor Shahzad Malik be elected as Mayor of the Council year 2021/ 2022.

The newly elected Mayor was invested with the Mayoral Chain, made the statutory Declaration of Acceptance of Office and took the Chair. The new Mayor made a speech conveying the honour to be elected as the Mayor of Crawley, in doing so thanked his fellow Councillors and commented how humbling it was to take over such a prestigious position, having served as Deputy Mayor for the last two years.

He stated I want to thank my family, my friends, the Mayors consort Jilly Hart, the Labour party, the Labour & Independent group and the residents of Langley Green for having confidence in me. I must also thank the Crawley Hackney Association for their significant role in laying the foundations of my political career’.

Councillor Malik also comment how ‘I came to Crawley as a teenager, in the mid-90s, I only intended to stay here for a few years. I could not have imagined, even in my wildest dreams, that I’ll be here decades later. I attended Crawley College, got my first ever job, got married, my children born and brought up here and during all these years I cannot pinpoint the moment when this small working class English town became my ‘Beloved Crawley’.

The Mayor announced that his Consort for his year in office would be former Councillor Jilly Hart. He also announced that his Mayoral Charity as The British Red Cross, in doing so comment that ‘there seems to be a perception amongst some members of the public, previously including myself, that The British Red Cross only works internationally and on big projects, but during my recent correspondence with their representatives, I came to know of their great work locally and in particular, their role in support of the NHS was one of the factors that convinced me to reach this decision. I am hoping that this Pandemic is coming to an end, and we will get the opportunity to fundraise for this worthy cause.’

Councillor Lamb and Councillor Crow respectively, welcomed the new Mayor on behalf of their Groups.