Transcript

[ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Silence ] [ Laughter ] We've got of the sake here. Please be seated. [ Silence ] The Council is filming this meeting for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council's Internet site. The images and sound recording may be used for training purposes within the Council. As Mayor and Chair of the meeting, I have the discretion to terminate or suspend filming. If I consider that continuing to do so would prejudice the proceedings of the meeting. I call on Councillor Roberts to propose a motion to elect the Mayor. Thank you Madam Mayor. I'm delighted to move the motion that Councillor Richard Pine should be elected as Leader -- sorry. [ Applause ] Councillor Roberts, I think that might be for next year. [ Laughter ] Just checking your all paying attention. So, as a matter of the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Tens for the evening, this will be 2020-24-25. Thank you. Councillor Fries, would you like to second the motion? Indeed, thank you. I'd also like to second the almost inadvertently. [ Laughter ] Especially with your two hats on that. But yes, I second the motion to nominate Councillor Pine as Mayor. Thank you. Councillor Pine, you are now appointed to serve as our Mayor. Please come forward to accept this office. The Chief Executive will read the declaration which you will sign on your behalf. I remember I'm reading this on behalf of Councillor Pine. So, I, Richard Pine, haven't been elected to the Office of Mayor of the Council of the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Tens, hereby declare that I take the said office upon myself and will duly and faithfully fulfil the duties thereof, according to the best of my judgement and ability. This declaration was made before me, Mike Jackson, proper officer of the said council on the 14th of May 2024. [ Pause ] [ Pause ] [ Pause ] [ Pause ] Well, thank you very much for making me Mayor. [ Applause ] You're doing me a very, very great honour. And I greatly look forward to meeting many organisations and many people in the borough over the course of the next 12 months. My consort will be my wife, Helen Pine. So, Helen, please step forward to be invested. [ Pause ] And my choice of Deputy Mayor is Councillor Kouldev, Sarah. Councillor Sachs and Councillor Sarah, please step forward. [ Pause ] [ Pause ] [ Applause ] And the Deputy Mayor's consort will be Kashmir Unweight. Kashmir and Richard, please step forward. [ Pause ] [ Applause ] And I'm delighted to say that my chaplain for the year will be the Reverend Jeffrey Hopkins Williams. [ Applause ] Now, Councillors at Nicholson, please can I invite you as our retiring mayor to come forward and address our meeting, please. [ Pause ] Well, having had to listen to you, having had to listen to you all for the last year, which is now my turn to speak. [ Laughter ] Actually, to be fair, you have been worth listening to, and almostly well behaved, even including the leader of the council. [ Laughter ] It's been a great honour to serve the borough as the 58th mayor. I would like to thank my Deputy Mayor Fiona Sachs, who has been a stalwart and a tremendous help. Also, thanks go to her consort, Richard, too. I would like to give thanks to my consort, my husband, John. Unfortunately, he can't be with us this evening due to illness. But I want to say thank you to Councillor Leslie Palash and Councillor John Coom, who have nobly stepped in and supported me at various events. Making these events definitely more enjoyable. [ Laughter ] Thank you, of course, to Elise, Sarah, and recently Beth in the mayor's office for doing so much. What I will miss most is having the mayoral car and my driver and mace bearer, Andrew Duncan. Thank you, Andrew. Now, I must go back on the bus. [ Laughter ] I am also grateful to the other drivers, Mike, Paul, and Sefton, who have stepped in when Andrew has had his days off. And thank you to the Reverend Jeffrey Hopkins Williams for your prayers and support in being my chaplain. Thank you to those of you who have attended my fundraising events for my charities, HUK Richmond, and Seem, which, by the way, stands for support, in power, educate and nurture. These two charities help others who may need help to move forward in their lives. My year has been, as you would expect, meeting many fine residents of our borough, who lead groups and charities and give so much of their time to make this a good place to live. Some of you are members of those groups. I've also liked meeting specific individuals, either within groups or at one-to-one meetings. Three of these residents celebrated their hundreds' birthdays. The year has had a bit of anortical theme. Firstly, crossing the channel to visit our Twin City of Fontainebleau, and then on to Constance, by late contact, Constance, and along the river Rhine. A river where at certain points you can swim. I think Councillor Frost took the plunge. The highlight, of course, was naming and christening a ferry, Richmond, by saying a christening verse and pouring water from the Thames and lake Constance onto the ship's boards. Our leader, Councillor Roberts, gave a speech and then presented them with an inscribed ship spell from Richmond. This also was a special lifeboat naming ceremony at Teddington in the summer for a new lifeboat named the Alderman, Penny Shelton. I've also visited the Seeker debts of Richmond and Twickenham, Richmond Seeker debts on Sea Sunday and at the Remembrance Service. The Twickenham Seeker debts when they were awarded the Canada trophy for being the best cadet unit in the UK for 2023. I was officially pleased to open the refurbished sea scouts hut in Hampton, my ward. I visited the Kingston Regatta Day on the Thames, held on the edge of Albora, and last Sunday, attended the commissioning of two dingoes at the Thames's club. There has been some right concern about the pollution in the Thames, but hopefully the tideway tunnel, including the Barn Elm section, which I visited on its completion, will go to help deal with the sewage problem of the capital. When it opens in 2025. My year has been, of course, seen that the death of our now honoree Alderman, Councillor Martin Endenborn and Councillor Jeffrey Samuel. As well as two previous mayors, Elena Stanja and Gina McKinney, and one Freeman of the borough, Alan Benson. There's also been lots of tree planting. The Coronation trees planted in Alderman Park in June, and trees in various wards around the borough, where previous Councillors had served their residence. I am pleased with what you do as Councillors, for the people who live in our borough. I do not have any fine words for you, but we must just continue to do our best. And I am now delighted to pass on the mayoral responsibilities to Councillor Richard Fine, who I'm sure will bring distinction to the role of mayor during the next year. Thank you. [Applause] Thank you, Suzanne. Now can I ask Councillor interjecting. Can I ask Councillor Roberts please to propose a vote of thanks to the retiring mayor and her concert? Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. That's going to get something you've taken use to. We all enjoy a mayor making meeting. It's rather like we all enjoy the regeneration episode on Doctor Who. We get something new, something you've been not quite used to. This is a time to thank the out-going mayor, Suzette. I think it's fair to say that Suzette is going to miss the mayoral car. I'm going to miss the mayoral car. I don't really think it's true. Is she? Is she? No, that's not going to happen. But I'm then Suzette probably longer, longest of any Councillor here because it was Suzette who in about 2007 or eight noticed a young man in Hampton that she thought has potential capabilities and would approach him to find out if he wanted to be on the council. He wasn't available. All the old gags. All the old. So she approached me. So if you want to blame anybody for the fact that I'm here in this chat, then Suzette Nicholson, Jacques Hughes. But I'm really pleased she did because I've really enjoyed knowing Suzette on the council and as a friend, she's absolute epitome of public service. Many of you will be aware that Suzette wasn't intending to stand down at the last elections but unfortunately, it would be possible one of our candidates pulled out at the last minute. Suzette agreed with just weeks to go before the close of nominations to come back for one last term. And I'm really pleased that she did because if she hadn't, we wouldn't have enjoyed her mayoral year. And it has been a splendid mayoral year. And I'm only really disappointed that Tony Arba wasn't in the chamber to see it. That's a joke for all the old heads, really. Suzette, as I say, is the epitome of a service-driven person. Some of you will put the needs of others before herself, whether it's within her own needs or within her immediate family's needs. And Suzette touched on the fact that John, who sadly can't be with us today because of illness, it would have been very easy for Suzette to have stepped back from the mayor to have said no, I can't do both. But she has managed to do both. She has to look after John and continue as a splendid mayor of the borough and that is something which I think speaks volumes about her character. And we all know that Suzette is very much a woman of faith. She's the only person that I've known to lead prayers from the mayoral chair and actually mean them. No offence. It was when you weren't here, when you weren't here. Others have said them, but Suzette was their amendment. And that sort of leaning into the faith aspect of the role has been very clear all the way through. Yes, lovely trips to Constance, lovely trips to Fontaine Blau, but I think above all what I remember is excellent chairing. Sometimes ever so slightly late meetings. Sorry. But above all, an excellent mayor in the long line of excellent mayors and Richard, you have big shoes to fill. Thank you. Thank you very much, Councillor Fries. Would you like to second the vote of thanks, perhaps? Indeed, thank you, Mr. Mayor. And yes, thank you indeed to Councillor Nicholson and Councillor Sachs for their stool work work and efforts this last year. I would like to see you in my own ward and sticking with the the nautical scene, certainly, I've seen you at the Phoenix Scouts when they had their VIP dinner. So it was lovely to see you in our ward. And I know you were on Friday, you are supporting our Ham and Kitchen S, SOS, who are one of our brilliant charities in Ham, who support older people and people with disabilities. But I know that those activities have been repeated across the borough, across all 18 wards, and I know that you have been out and about shaking hands, hearing from people, finding out all the issues, finding out all the great work that our wonderful, wonderful residents and volunteers. So much to help support the Councillors work and support their communities. And so thank you so much for that. I have no doubt both of you will be slightly relieved to have a little bit more time back, although I know obviously you'll be back on service committee soon and picking up all of that case work that I'm sure your fellow Councillors have been helping to help you get through with, because we all know what a burden, not a burden, but it can be a burden, those case work committees, all of that, that juggling, and you have done it so gracefully and with such good cheer. So thank you both so much, and we welcome seeing Councillor Fime and Councillor KARA into their new roles. Thank you very much. Now, says that please come forward, we would like to give you a present. So is it a gift for John Nicholson to start up with? That's for your parents for John. Thank you very much. Thank you. All right, I see, all right, let's go. And then there will be gifts for... You're going to give gifts to the, yeah, so forth, all right. Thank you, John. [Applause] [Applause] And Councillor Sacks, I'd like to wish to present to you and your Council for something to remember your year as the Deputy Mayor. [Applause] [Applause] Now, I haven't followed my instructions absolutely strictly, so I should mention that in addition that the Deputy Mayor will also be supported by Brendan Watson as his second concert during the course of the year. I should have said that a little bit earlier on. I'd like to talk a little bit about my charities. I wish to announce that my charities are Homestart at Richmond on Thames and Richmond Borough Mind. Both are local branches of national charities. Homestart supports families with children under five in navigating the many ups and downs of parenthood, which many of us here will, I think, have experienced. And mind are here to assist people with mental health issues and problems and to ensure there's always somewhere for people to turn to for support. I also wish to confirm that the Civic Service will be held in the autumn at St Mary's Church in Twickenham. Details will be available closer to the date when confirmed, and I hope to see many of you there. Now, before we move to the rest of the business of the meeting, let's stand as I invite my chaplain, the Reverend Geoffrey Hopkins Williams, to say a prayer. So tonight, my friends, we give thanks for our borough and for all those who contribute positively to its life. We give thanks for the blessing which Suzette and Fiona have been during their mayoral year, for the encouragement they have offered, the kindness they have shown, the commitment they have demonstrated, and for the love they have invested in the valuing of the people in our communities. We pray for their consorts, John and Richard, giving thanks for the support they have offered, and we pray especially for John for his healing and well-being. We pray for Richard and Korda, our new leader and, oh sorry, no, Mayor, and our new Mayor and Deputy Mayor, that they may have the gifts they need to be alive to the challenges and opportunities of their mayoral year. For all members of this Council and for the people we have the privilege to serve, for those who look to this Council for leadership, creative opposition, and wise decision-making, for all those who work for a Council, that together we may help build communities which nurture our young people, value the vulnerable, and create opportunities for people to thrive. This we ask in the name of the Lord, our God, Amen. Please be seated. Please be seated. I will now turn to agenda item four and the rest of the business of the meeting. And my first announcement is to congratulate Councillor Gareth Roberts on his recent election as the constituency man before Houndslow, Kingston Pong Thames, and Richmond on Thames on the London Assembly. Congratulations. (Applause) Are there any announcements from the Chief Executive? No. Okay. Agenda item five are the minutes. May I sign the minutes of the meeting held on the 5th of March 2024 as a correct record? Fine. Thank you very much. Agenda item six, the declarations of interest. There is no need for any of you to declare an interest in item 12B on members' allowances, but do any members wish to declare any interest in any of the other matters on the agenda? No. Okay. Agenda item seven, the election of the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council. I call on Councillor Needham. What? To move the motion? Right. This is one I really need to get the wording correct. Absolutely. Otherwise I become Leader. I would like to. (Laughter) I think there might be a queue. (Laughter) Anyway, I would like to propose that Councillor Roberts be elected as Leader of this Council. Indeed? (Laughter) I second that. Excellent. Is it agreed that Councillor Roberts should become the Leader of the Council? It is agreed. Thank you very much. Now I call on Councillor Roberts to move the motion for the Joint Deputy Leaders. Right. I move the motion, Mr. Mayor, that both Councillors need a once, and Councillor Millard should be Joint Deputy Leaders for the forthcoming municipal term. Is that agreed? It is agreed. Seconded. (Laughter) Okay. Councillor Roberts, Needham Watts and Millard are there for elected. Agenda item 8, the appointments to committees. Further to the report, an appendix has been published, detailing nominations for the committee appointments in the supplementary pack. Are the recommendations and appointments agreed? Agreed. Agreed. Thank you very much. And we're now on to item 9, roaring through these items is a great place. Agenda item 9, As for a no proposals to amend arrangements for delegation, there is no need for a report on this matter at this time. All right. Agreed? Agreed. And then agenda item 10 is the program of meetings. Is the recommendation agreed? Agreed. Thank you. Agenda item 11, the appointments to outside bodies. Those are listed for you. Are the recommendations for appointments to the outside bodies agreed? Agreed. Thank you very much. And then agenda item 12, we have three reports which I will take in turn. Are the recommendations to amend the constitution and appoint a Councillor whose identity is not indicated here? To the Member, Government, Working Group Agreed. Yes. Yes. Okay. So we'll postpone the consideration of the first item under agenda item 12. As we that individual has not yet been identified. Okay. Second item, "I wish to clarify the recommendations on the Member's Allowance Scheme. We are being asked to retain the scheme agreed at the Council meeting in November 2023. Therefore, the scheme for 2024-25 will be the same as last year. Are the recommendations for the Member's Allowance Scheme 2024-25 agreed? Agreed. Thank you. And then our last report is in the supplementary report, I think issued yesterday, which we're taking as an urgent report. First, can I join in, please do join me in thanking Mike Gravitt for his 24 years of service to Richmond Council. He's leaving us shortly and we wish him well for the future. Are the recommendations including the appointments of John Evans and Kathy Potter to their respective roles agreed? As you know, some of you may have heard that it's a possibility of a general election occurring shortly. And therefore we need to take this matter, resolve it quickly. Is that agreed? Excuse me. Thank you very much. And that concludes the business of the meeting. Thank you very much. [BLANK_AUDIO]