In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, councillors are reminded that it is a requirement to declare interests where appropriate.

There were no declarations of interests made.

The Council observed a minute’s silence in memory of former Councillor Mike Weatherley (2006-07) who sadly recently passed away.

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.

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

The new Mayor then sought nominations for the position of Deputy Mayor for 2021/2022.

It was proposed by Councillor Pickett, seconded by Councillor Nawaz, that Councillor Flack be appointed as Deputy Mayor, whilst Councillor R G Burgess seconded by Councillor Burrett, proposed the appointment of Councillor Mwagale. A vote was taken.

RESOLVED

That Councillor Flack be elected as Deputy Mayor for the Council year 2021/2022.

The newly elected Deputy Mayor was then invested with the badge of office. The new Deputy Mayor made a speech conveying her honour to be elected as the Deputy Mayor of Crawley.

The Mayor requested that in future Annual Council meetings the Deputy Mayor be allowed to make a speech of thanks at their investiture.

Vote of thanks to Mr Francis Guidera, who served as the Mayor of Crawley for the Mayoral year 2020-2021 and his Consort.

The Mayor commented that normally at this point in the proceedings he would be call up his predecessor to the dais to receive badges commemorating their past year in office. However following resignation from office and as a Councillor, Mr Francis Guidera and his Consort Andrea had received their badges outside of a Council meeting.

Councillor Lamb moved a vote of thanks, seconded by Councillor Crow, to the former Mayor Francis Guidera and Mayor’s Consort for all their hard work during the very difficult and different year in office.

RESOLVED

That the thanks and appreciation of the Council to accorded to Mr Francis Guidera, the former Mayor, for the work undertaken during his year in office and for the support given to him during that time by the Mayor’s Consort Andrea.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Full Council held on 24 March 2021.

The minutes of the meeting of the Full Council held on 24 March 2021were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

To receive and consider any announcements or communications, including an update on the Youth Mayor and Youth Deputy Mayor for the forthcoming year.

The Mayor invited representatives from each party to pay tribute following the sad passing of former Councillor Mike Weatherley. Councillors Crow and Irvine paid their respects and touching tributes.

The Mayor confirmed that both Leon Mukazi and Shelly Sharma would be continuing in their roles as Crawley’s Youth Mayor and Youth Deputy Mayor respectively for the forthcoming year.

On behalf of the Council, the Mayor congratulated both Leon and Shelley upon their re-election and looked forward to working with them during the forthcoming year.

To receive the Returning Officer’s report on the results of the Borough elections held on 6 May 2021, LDS/168.

The Council received the Returning Officer’s report LDS/168, on the results of the 2021 all out Borough Election, held on 6 May 2021.

Councillors Burrett and Lunnon as Chair and Vice Chair of Governance Committee, in 2020-2021 took the opportunity to request that further detail should be included in the report such as percentage of the votes and the number of seats won by party  and also thank all staff that had worked throughout the Election periods.

To consider, the following Notice of Motion to be moved by Councillor Crow and seconded by Councillor McCarthy.

This item has been included on the agenda as an urgent item.

The Council considered the Notice of Motion ‘Notice of Motion 1 - Motion of No Confidence,’ which was set out in the Full Council’s agenda. The Motion was moved and presented by Councillor Crow and seconded and supported by Councillor McCarthy.

During the lengthy and lively debate Councillors Lamb, Khan, Lanzer, Fiveash, Burrett, C Mullins, B Burgess, Irvine, Lunnon, and Jhans spoke before the Full Council.  Councillor Crow used his right of reply at the end of the debate.  The Mayor then called for a vote on the Notice of Motion. 

As a result of the tied vote, the Mayor used the casting vote to vote Against the Motion.  There were therefore 19 votes against the motion and 18 for the motion and 0 abstentions.

The Leader of the Council will present their Cabinet, the portfolios and the executive delegation’s schemes.

Councillor Lamb, the Leader of the Council announced his 2021/ 2022 Cabinet and their portfolio, as shown in the table below.

Councillor Lamb also commented that he was in the process of changing the exact detail of each portfolio responsibility and once that had been finished, he would publish them in the Councillors Information Bulletin and request that the Head of Legal, Governance and HR, update the Constitution accordingly.

To consider report LDS/167 of the Head of Legal, Governance and HR.

The Full Council considered the report of the Head of Legal, Democracy and HR, LDS/167, which detailed the review of the representation of different Political Groups on the Council and to determine the size and membership of the Council’s Committees for the municipal year 2021/2022 in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and associated Regulations. It was noted that the proportionality had changed since the report was published as the Labour and Independent Group of 18 Councillors had formed. The report also detailed that the allocation of Chairs and Vice Chairs of those Committees would be based on the table set out in paragraph 3.10 of report LDS/167. It was noted that the report contained a link to the latest draft version of the Constitution for Councillors ratification.

The Mayor asked the Democratic Services Manager to present the proposed appointments to each Committee, the Council appointed Outside Bodies, (which were not contested) and Cabinet’s Advisory and Working Groups and Member Development Executive Support Group 2021/ 2022. It was the nominations had been provided by each Group in advance. The Mayor stated for the nominations for Council Appointed Outside Bodies positions where there are contested position, there would be individual votes on these appointment, once the non-contested items had been approved.

The Mayor called for a vote on the membership and nominations and the adoption of the Constitution (subject to any changes arising from this Full Council meeting being included prior to publication) which was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED

That the Full Council approves

1.            the appointments and size of the Council’s Committees (taking into account political proportionality) for the municipal year 2021/2022, along with the Chairs and Vice Chairs as for those Committees, the appointments for the non-contested Outside Bodies and Organisations for the municipal year 2021/2022 and the appointments and size of Cabinet’s Advisory and Working Groups and Member Development Executive Support Group 2021/ 2022. A copy of which were detailed in an Appendix to these Minutes

2.            for publication the latest draft version of the Council’s Constitution, subject to any changes arising from this Full Council meeting being included prior to publication.

Contested Votes – Outside Bodies.

The Full Council then considered the appointments for the contested Outside Bodies and Organisations for the municipal year 2021/2022, where there were more nominations than places available. The Council determined who should be appointed by voting as follows:-

Age UK – West Sussex Trustee Board.  There were two nominations for one place.

It was moved by Councillor P Smith, seconded by Councillor Lunnon, that Councillor Buck be the Council’s appointment for Age UK – West Sussex Trustee Board.  Whilst Councillor Crow moved, seconded by Councillor McCarthy that Councillor Morris be the Council appointment.

A vote was taken. Having put it to the vote which resulted in a tie, the Mayor used his casting vote.

Councillor Buck was appointed.

Courage Dyer Recreational Trust. There were three nominations for two places.

It was moved  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

Appointment of Independent Persons

The Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL), recommends that local authorities appoint an Independent Person(s) for a term of office of two years.

Currently the Council has only one Independent Person, Mr Peter Nicholson, whose term ends in July 2021.  Mr Nicholson has indicated that he would be willing to serve a further year in the role.

The Governance Committee (in conjunction with the Head of Legal, Governance and HR) had previously advised that the Council should advertise for a second Independent Person.  Mr Russell Brown is recommended to be appointed, following a recruitment and interview process.

To ensure continuity of the role and to prevent both Independent Persons’ positions from becoming vacant at the same time, it is recommended that these appointments be scheduled for renewal in alternate years.  It is therefore recommended that Mr Nicholson be appointed for a term of one year (until July 2022) and Mr Brown for a term of two years (until July 2023).  Future appointments will then be made for terms of two years.

Recommendation

The Full Council is recommended to:

Renew the appointment of Mr Peter Nicholson for a further one year term of office (ending 31 July 2022) as the Independent Person under the provisions of The Localism Act 2011.

Appoint Mr Russell Brown for a two year term of office (ending 31 July 2023) as the Independent Person under the provisions of The Localism Act 2011.

The Full Council noted that the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL), recommends that local authorities appoint an Independent Person(s) for a term of office of two years.

To ensure continuity of the role and to prevent both Independent Persons’ positions from becoming vacant at the same time, it was recommended that these appointments be scheduled for renewal in alternate years.  It was therefore recommended to renew the appointment of Mr Nicolson for a further one-year term of office as the Independent Person, whilst appointing Mr Russell Brown for a two year term of office as the Independent Person under the provisions of The Localism Act 2011.

RESOLVED

1)            That the Full Council renew the appointment of Mr Nicolson for a further one-year term of office (ending 31 July 2022) as the Independent Person under the provisions of The Localism Act 2011.

2)            That Mr Brown be appointed for a two-year term of office (ending 31 July 2023) as the Independent Person under the provisions of The Localism Act 2011.