Transcript

I would like to say thank you, Alex, for your devotion to me. Welcome. Please stay standing for a moment, while Alex starts the meeting just before you do. I'd like to say thank you, Alex, for your devotion to us all this year. You've been terrific. Thank you very much, indeed. Much appreciated. Over to you. Let us pray. We want to thank you for this opportunity to meet again this evening. We want to thank you for everything that Richard has done as mayor this year and all of his hard work in the role of mayor, and we just pray that as this meeting takes place this evening, you will guide all of us during it, that it will be an opportunity to celebrate as well as looking ahead. We also pray for Neil as he steps into the role of mayor for the forthcoming year. Amen. Thank you, Alex. As usual, do feel free to stay, as long as you would like. But please be seated. First of all, because we have members of the public present, I'll read the fire precautions. In the event of the fire alarm sounding, leave the room immediately, proceed downstairs by way of the main stairs, or follow any of the emergency exit signs. Leave the building and follow the signs to the fire assembly point, which is in old church path on the pathway between the rear of the Isha public car park at the library end and the churchyard. So, we move to agenda item one, which is declarations of interest. All members present are required to declare at this point in the meeting, or as soon as possible thereafter, any discloseable peculiar interests and/or other interests arising under the Council code of conduct. In respect of any items of business being considered at this meeting, are there any such declarations? No, thank you very much, indeed, in which case I will move swiftly on to my announcement, and just put myself a glass of water. I'm sorry, Council has had to endure my announcement at every full Council meeting, so I don't plan to regale you with them all again, beyond I'll go into the Buckingham Palace Garden party where surprisingly the King and Queen failed to notice us. But the afternoon was wonderful, it was a model of how I'd like every day life to be, people from all walks of life, every social strata, every belief, race, under the sun, rejoicing together, what's not to like about that, and the sandwiches were good too. But really tonight I'd like to talk about the importance of the mayoralty. The mayor is the public face of Elmbridge and its Council. If you ever take a look at next door, Facebook or Twitter, you believe the Council gets nothing right, and that's being exceptionally generous. Yet, when the mayor and I have been out and about, the reception has only ever been one of delight, perhaps, apart from one memorable instance when a chap in a care home cried out, they've been here long enough, time they went, and he was probably right. My experience has been that the mayoralty really does bring people together. Young and older, proud to chat to the mayor and mayoress, there have been selfies galore and people are genuinely happy to chat and invite us to learn about the tribulations of Parkinson's carers or to enjoy a row on the river, join the hard-working Amdram cast on stage, go to concerts, go on the radio and, of course, to bend our ears. I would say this, wouldn't I? I think the mayoralty is of great value to Elmbridge, but it's worth stressing, that it's the chains what do it. The siege for selfies from a Chelsea player, his minders and fans, after Tony on the Christmas lights in Cobham, we popped our chains off and went into Waitrose and nobody had a clue who we were. And that's really the way it should be, we will be forgotten in a trace, and the move to the new mayor and mayoress will be seamless. It's the role and what it represents that matters. So onto other things, I'd like to thank Councillors this last year and to our leaders, former Councillor Bruce McDonald, Councillor Simon Moore and Councillor John Coop, for making full council meetings, a real joy to chair, you really did, and it's been terrific. Thanks to democratic services for taking care of us, my harebrained schemes to race fans for aces have been welcomed and supported, and particularly thanks to Kate, our mayor or secretary, and Colin, our mace bearer and driver. We have been spoiled, and we have some small gifts for Colin and Kate, if they'd like to come up. I'm struggling to get your flowers, Colin. [Laughter and Applause] And talking of fundraising for Aces, which I did mention, we've managed to raise £35,252, which includes the skydive contributions. This money is vital to Aces, which relies entirely on charitable donations, and we'll go to helping them run their outreach work, their nursery, crisis support, and other services that help vulnerable families and children. It's really been an honour to work with them. We welcome our new Councillors, Simon Liefer, representing Eastia Ward. I won't embarrass him by mentioning it's his birthday today. Wendy Gibbs, representing Herschen Village Ward, Pat Gormley, for Molesy West Ward, Joshua Lambert, Walter North Ward, Alistair Price, Walter South Ward, and returning Councillor Mary Marshall for the Claygate Ward. A little tip, it took me years to find my feet here, but one simple tip is never to be afraid of asking for help from our officers or fellow Councillors or Janet Turner, who always offered me wise council. And finally, to Cheru Suid, we would have all been thrilled to see you in my place tonight. We really would. I'm sorry that wasn't to be, nevertheless, it is lovely to see you here tonight. And on that note, I will finish. Thank you. Now, I'd like to say I'm turning to Councillor Mike Rollings. Is that right? Am I turning to you or not? I think you are, Richard. Phew, that's a relief. So I'd like to express my thanks and those of many colleagues, I think all colleagues in fairness, so they're like a majority vote, isn't it, to the mayor for his year and his wife who, as Lady Maris, has been, everybody has involved along the way. As you say, this is a non-political role, the first resident of Elbridge. During the past year, I think you've done much to bring residents, and I would add faiths together. An example recently, bringing leaders from the Jewish and Muslim faith to leaders in prayers, I think it was very important and very symbolic of the role of the mayor in Elbridge. He's carried out many duties and attended many functions representing Elbridge, still keeping reasonably thin, unlike the mayor before him. Also, he's been prepared to submit to a parachute jump for charity. So there's a lot about him, although I'm not entirely sure what. Finally, you've run our council meetings, authoritatively, but with a deft touch. I could go on, but mindful of your desire for brevity, I'll stop there. Richard, once again, thank you very much for your year as mayor, and Annie, for your years, Maris. Thank you. Thank you very much. Am I to move to the, to the Council of War? Is that right? It is, what it says. Thank you, Mr Mayor. I will, of course, speak reporting Councillor Rollins for that rather nasty side swipe. Mr Mayor, can I just echo Councillor Rollins' nice comments about you and Lady Maris. You've had a great year, and on behalf of the resident association, can I thank you for your whole work and commitment during that time? You've made it look very easy, and I know from sitting up on that chair, it isn't. It's a tough year, and you've carried it off very well. I was going to liken your style of things to your vintage French cars. You have a certain style and panache, and the way you've done things has been slightly different, which is fantastic. But unlike your vintage French cars, you're also steadfast and reliable. So thank you very much on behalf of the resident association group. It's been a great year, and I look forward to having a small glass of beer with you a bit later on. Thank you. What's a lovely idea? Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr Mayor. Before I thank you for your time this year, can I just offer a few other thanks as well to Councillor Paul Wood, former Councillor Paul Wood, who stood down at this time. He served as the group whip for three years, and he'll be missing this chamber, and also Councillor Banerjee, who also decided to stand down on a privilege of replacing her on the Council, her commitment to climate change throughout her times as a Councillor was a brilliant contribution, and hopefully I will be able to continue that as well. But also Councillor Brown, former Councillor Brown, who sadly did not win his seat, so he would also be missed. I also like to add my thanks to Councillor McDonald. He and I never always saw eye-to-eye on some of the big decisions taken by the Council, but I never doubted that he was always trying to do the best for Elmidge's residents, and he'll be missed. Thank you, Mr Mayor. I would like to describe you as the Goldilocks Mayor, and the reason for that, if those of you cash your mind back, we had Councillor Poppen, one there before, who was, as I would say, a brilliant, the Council meetings were a resplendent, filled with joy and fun, but always just quite close to catastrophe throughout that phase. And then they followed by Councillor Wart, whose brutal efficiency in the meetings and desire to get to committee room four, inspired us all, and I think you, as the Goldilocks Mayor, has found a nice balance between the Gregarious Councillor Poppen and the brutally efficient Councillor Wart. So thank you so much for your chairing, and thank you so much for all you have done for ASIS and all the many of you who have raised. Thank you so much. [Applause] Lastly, Councillor Turner. Thank you, Mr Mayor. I seem to remember a year ago standing here and telling Richards that he would enjoy this role. I don't think he believed me, but in fact, he obviously has enjoyed it. He actually enjoyed jumping out of a plane, which I don't think anybody, any other Councillor has done to my knowledge over the past few years. Richard is somebody who we all look up to. He's a very levelling sort of person. You can go to him and talk to him quite normally. He might be the mayor, but in fact, he will give you good counsel. As I'm the only woman on the team, I represent, not quite 50 per cent of the community here, but as far as I'm concerned, it's a very important role. As a leader of a very, very small group, but also a leader of the leaders in this Chamber, I look at myself really as the mother of the Council, because I've been here forever. But Richard, we have loved your presence. We love your way of maring. Thank you very much, and I hope you actually enjoy a few days off in the next week or so to actually pander you and your wife. Thank you very much indeed. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, John, and thank you, everybody, you're very, very kind. It's a Goldilocks mayor, it's a really interesting idea. Nevertheless, thank you so much, and I really appreciate it. So without further ado, let's move on to agenda item two, which is the election of the mayor for 2024-25. Could I have nominations for the mayoral office of 24-25? I think Councillor Rolings has got his hand up. Thank you, Mr Mayor. I can still call you that, I'm not quite sure where we are at that. I'd like to propose Neil – sorry, I just lost my thread there. Houston? I'd like to propose Neil, Houston. Neil has been a Councillor in Elbridge since 2050. For that he was a Councillor in Royal Borough of Kingston. I first met him when I was elected in 2018. Neil has what is known as a straightforward manner. You always know what he's thinking and he's not worried about telling you pretty quickly. He works hard for the residents in Longdon, and I know Councillor Lange was going to comment on that in a moment. Since I've known him, he's been a fixture in the residents association and Lib Dem coalition. He has been in the cabinet with the housing portfolio, which I know he enjoyed and worked hard to address many of the intractable issues that still remain with housing. He's very much a family man and plays his part in what I can only call the Uber of delivering the girls 'Holly and Izzy' to wherever they need to go, and I think that's very important because with the mayoral car you may be able to get a few lifts down then, so that may be quite a boot. Bill has also been on Vice-General ONS and other committees, and I think he will be very suited to the role, and therefore I propose it. And I think Councillor Langeum is going to second. Yes, thank you Mr. Mayor, most intermediate mayor. I would just like to throw a couple of things to second Councillor Rong's proposal. I've known Neil about five years now since 2019, and there are two things that I've got to know about him that make him an excellent potential mayor for our borough. Firstly, he's determined a real residents champion who will follow up an issue relentlessly until something is done, and many of the officers know about that. The people have longed it and have recognised this and consistently support him as a great local councillor. I know he'll use this determination to do the best he can in representing both the Council and Elmbridge. Secondly, he has a keen sense of fairness and sticks up for those less fortunate or vulnerable. It's a fact that our borough is one of the wealthiest in the country, so it's easy to forget about the people living in Elmbridge that aren't so lucky and need someone to fight their corner. Neil Houslin is one such person. I'm sure one who reveals his chosen charity tomorrow, it will be a cause that helps local residents that really need our help and support, and I look forward to that. Now, the third thing, the third thing I can say about Neil is that he has an interesting sense of humour. Paul Islano couldn't be with us today, she's complained of being so overwhelmed by dad jokes from both of us that she needed to get well away, and let's face it, you can't get much further than the Orkney Islands. Anyway, two out of three qualities ain't bad, as Meatloaf once said. I commend our friend, and rack on to Councillor Neil Houslin to be an excellent next Mary of Elmbridge. Council meetings could prove to be, well, interesting. Thank you. Thank you. And might I ask, are there any... Are there any other nominations? No. Okay, in which case, Councillor Neil Houslin is declared Mary of Elmbridge for 2024-25, has invited to sign the Declaration of Acceptance Office Book. Thank you. So, we'll now have a brief adjournment to allow the newly elected Mayor to robe and for change of office to be exchanged, so please remain in your places. Mayor Houslin. Thank you. So, after the Goldilocks, Mayor, what does that make me? No. Interesting. Anyway, moving on, agenda item three is my announcements now, so firstly, please bear with me. Firstly, I'd like to say thank you to Councillor Rowling and Councillor Langham for their kind words and also many thanks to my fellow Councillors for their support in nominating me to become the Mayor this year. It is a great honour. I would like to use this opportunity to add my congratulations to all of the new Councillors as well, welcome them back. Those who have been re-elected as a Council and as a Council, we have some huge challenges ahead of us and I'm looking forward to working with you all over the coming year. I would also like to add a big thank you to all those members who are not back in the Chamber for whatever reason and for all that they have done for Elmbridge over the past few years. I'm very happy to add my own massive, very well done to Richard and Aneschka for what has undoubtedly been a fantastic and very successful Mayor all year and one that they have carried out with grace, dedication and humour. I always knew they were going to be a hard act to follow and I am hoping that throwing yourself out an aeroplane counts as going above and beyond the role because I definitely didn't read that in the job description. My wife Veronica and I promise that we'll do our very best to work with and for the residents of the borough and help promote the borough and the many great things it has to offer. As Deputy Mayor, we have been fortunate to go on some fantastic places and meet some amazing people, including lots of people who give so much of their time to volunteer with the many groups and organisations that make Elmbridge such a wonderful place to live. We've already been bowling in Cobham, listened to the fantastic Claygate Marching Band as well as the brilliant Wabridge Malvoise Choir, met the way Rijekkadets, the Isha Scouts, the Ajaxes Scouts, judged the Christmas cake competition which was right up my street. We've been to a lovely service in Guilford, Cathedral as well as attending the New Guilford Mayor's Civic Service in the beautiful 15th century town hall to name just a few things and we have plenty of more exciting engagements to come over the coming months. It does sound strange but one of the hardest things we've had to do so far is to choose a charity. I don't need to tell you but the funding cuts in the credit crunch times are hard for so many people and there are so many well deserving and worthy causes to consider but it was important to us that we chose one that at its core helps young children and their families. I am pleased therefore to announce today that my charity this year is going to be Homestart Elmbridge. They are a charity who are committed to promoting the welfare of families. They do this by offering practical and emotional support to families that are struggling to cope which could be for a variety of reasons illness, poverty, isolation or through domestic violence or poor mental health. Part of their mission statement is we are there for parents when they need us most because childhood can't wait. They are culturally sensitive, flexible and accessible and work alongside parents to help build the independence and resilience in empowering them to build positive and healthy futures for their children. As parents ourselves we are very well aware how important the child's early years are in shaping that person, the person they become and the opportunities they have. Our children have been very fortunate and we want them to be aware that not everyone is so lucky and that sometimes people need a helping hand. We are therefore hoping that they as well as you my fellow Councillors, friends and family will help us raise funds for this very important charity throughout the year. I know we all have busy lives but if you can spare an hour tomorrow it would be really lovely to see you at the official charity launch which takes place at 11 o'clock in Humming's Cafe on Isha High Street just up the road from here up towards the bear pub. For those who haven't been to one before the launch is where the charity will be able to tell you a bit more about the work they do. You can meet some of those who volunteer for them, find out more about how they help families and ask any questions of them that you may have. Some of them are here tonight and I would like to thank them for coming. We are acutely aware how hard it is for so many people right now and there are so many worthwhile causes vying for your support but if throughout the year you can help them please do. You can do this by attending one or more of our functions and fundraising events that we'll be having during the year. You can of course just donate cash or maybe even prizes for one of our events. We are always open to ideas and so if you have any thoughts about anything happening that might be a good way of help us raise money for this charity then please don't be shy to let us know. No, not the plan, thank you. So at the risk of sounding like an Oscar acceptance speech I'm going to end as I begun with a few thank yous. Veronica and I would like to say a big thank you to all the people attending here tonight but especially to our personal guests, our family and colleagues and friends including three people who have been a huge part of our family's life over the last decade, Melanie from Stagecoat Hinchleywood and James and Vicks from Barker Martial Arts in Claygate and of course some of the great people have helped me and supported me throughout my time in local politics and who continue to do so. We are enormously grateful that you have come here tonight and hope that you will be able to share this amazing adventure with us throughout the year. Thank you in advance to the amazing Kate and the Mayor as Secretary and of course Colin the Maysbury and hopefully you'll be keeping us on track throughout this year to add them for his stewardship through these meetings and to Brooklyn's College for supplying the lovely nibbles and receptions this evening. I would also personally like to say thank you to my wife Veronica for supporting me not only in this endeavour but for putting up with me for the last 40 years and my two beautiful daughters Holly and Izzy who make me proud to be their father every day and lastly my dear mum who couldn't be with me tonight but hopefully is watching on the live broadcast with her friend Marg in the beautiful county of Norfolk. So thank you for listening and I now move to agenda item three. I have now great pleasure in presenting some gifts of appreciation and thanks to our former Mayor and Mayor S in recognition of their service to the Borough of Enbridge. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. We move on to a gender item four which is the election of a deputy mayor for 2024-25. I would like to ask for nominations for deputy mayor for the 24-25. Thank you Mr. Mayor. I would like to nominate Councillor Bax but before I do so I just want to say how sincerely I wish I was nominated Councillor SUIT tonight as Mayor. The strength of which Councillor SUIT has approached her illness and now in her recoveries and spiders and I hope to nominate you once again a few years. I would like to nominate Councillor Bax to be deputy mayor and a firm believer in democracy. He has stood nine times winning four, so each of those four times he has won, the reason that he has won is because of the community that he has represented in Molesy so well. There is no pot hole, no green space or community event that he has not been to or fought to. As we said earlier about you Mr. Mayor, he is tenacious with officers and all of us in pursuing those issues. I would like to thank him both for his service to Molesy so far but it is also a great pleasure to nominate him as deputy mayor and I know he will bring that same community spirit to the role of deputy mayor. Thank you. Thank you. Do we have a seconder? Councillor SRI. Thank you Mayor. I would like to thank everyone here tonight, thank you very much and I would like to second the proposal of Councillor COB to propose Councillor Bax as the next deputy mayor. He has served the borough for last 10 years and he has done a stellar job representing his residents both at Barrow and County and I am sure he will be outstanding deputy mayor so I would like to propose Councillor Steve Bax tonight. Thank you. Thank you. Are there any other nominations? Great. Councillor Steve Bax has been appointed as deputy mayor for 2024/25. I would like to invite Councillor Bax to come forward to sign the Declaration of Acceptance Book. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Would you like to say something? Thank you. Councillor Bax. Thank you very much Mr Mayor. May I be the first to congratulate you on your new position? I would like to thank also Councillor Cope and Councillor SUD for proposing me. Very much appreciated and also to you members for your support. It's a great honour to take this role on and I will do my very best to support Neil here in the mayoral year so he can have the most successful year that we all hope you will have. Thank you, Neil. Thank you, colleagues. Thank you very much. Okay. Now with the remainder of the business of the Council agenda, commencing with agenda item five results of the borough election. Members, you have before your report on the results of the borough election. Is the report noted? Thank you. Item six, Leader of the Council. Moving on to agenda item six, please may I have nominations for the position of Leader of the Council? Councillor WAR. Thank you, Mr Mayor. May I wish you every success in your year as mayor. I would like to propose Councillor MIGHT Rollins as Leader of the Council for the next municipal year. Thank you. Do we have a second to please? Councillor CUNY. I would like to second then, please. Thank you. Are there any other nominations? Mike Rollins is duly elected as the Leader of the Council. Thank you. [APPLAUSE] The agenda item seven, Deputy Leader of the Council. Leader, may we receive your verbal report and respect the appointment of the Deputy Leader of the Council? Thank you, Mr Mayor. My congratulations, too. I'm proposing the appointment of Simon Wall, my colleague here, as Deputy Leader. And I think the next thing I do is announce the portfolios, isn't it? I don't know. I think you're jumping ahead. That's not on my agenda. [LAUGHTER] Would you like to say any words to the Councillor? What, nice words about? Yeah. If you've got. [LAUGHTER] Moving on then, thank you. No, no, no. This will be very unscripted. I've known Simon ever since I was joined the Council. Brutal efficiency I heard from over there. Bit harsh. Simon is very clear in his own mind on what's the right thing to do. Not always right, but he's very clear on what's the right thing to do. But he and I have worked very well over the last 12 months as part of the residents association and Liberal Democrat coalition. And I have every confidence in Simon going forward that we can work well together. And achieve great things. Thank you very much. Moving on then, agenda item eight, which is appointment of the Cabinet and allocations of portfolio responsibilities. Members, you've been provided with the report from the leader of the Council in respect to the allocation of portfolios and members appointed to the Cabinet. Is the report received? Thank you. Now to agenda item nine, appointment of committees for 2024-25. Members, you have before you a report containing recommendations in respect of the Council committees, et cetera, for 2024-2025. Leader, may I ask that you formally move the report and the recommendations? I so move. Is that seconded? Seconded, thank you. Group loses. If there are any change to the list of names to serve on the committees, et cetera, please indicate now. Councillor CUMBS. Thank you, Mr Mayor. I'd like to propose for the appeals subcommittee that we had a sixth membership. Sorry, Alex. You're ahead of yourself there. Sorry to jump in the gun. Sorry. That's okay. Thank you very much. Okay. No indications? Our recommendations A to G agreed on the basis as set out in the report. Okay, thank you. Members, with regard to recommendation H, please may I receive a proposal from the floor of the Chamber with regard to an establishment of either a six or eight seat appeals subcommittee. Councillor CUMBS. Thank you, Mr Mayor. I'd like to propose it as a six member committee rather than the proposed eight. Okay. That needs to be seconded, please. Councillor COOK. Thank you, Mr Mayor. I'd like to second that. Thank you, Councillor Hoon's. Councillor COOK. Thank you, Mr Mayor. I'd like to propose that it is a eight member committee and the reason for that is that when this committee sits which we all hope it never does, but when it does, often the Councillors involve no individuals who will be involved in those appeals. As happened last year when one member actually Councillor CUMBS had to come off the committee in order the due to conflict of interest on it. So I'd therefore like to ask that the appeals committee is eight to make sure that if there are conflicts, there are still enough members of that committee. Okay, that needs to be seconded, please. Thank you, Councillor Bearly. Okay. Both options have been proposed and seconded. I will therefore put this to a vote. Can we do it, Councillor HANDS? Yes, we're not. Okay. This will be done by a show of hands. So those in favour of six seats, please show your hands. Okay, just give them a second. We're just counting. Okay, thank you to hands down and those in favour of eight seats. Okay, then that has been taken to the vote and in favour of six seats. So six seats has been established for the 2024-2025 municipal year. So therefore, his recommendation, I agreed. Okay. Members, with regard to recommendation J within the report in respect of the area planning subcommittees, the Council has invited to establish a ten-seat East Area Planning Subcommittee on the basis set out in the report. Is that agreed? Thank you. With regards to the South Area Planning Subcommittee, please my proposals from the floor of the Chamber as to whether again it is a nine or eleven-seat subcommittee is established. Councillor TILLING. Thank you, Mayor. I'd like to propose a committee of nine members. Is that seconded, please? I will second that. Thank you, Councillor. Okay. No, Councillor, eleven. Anybody propose eleven seats? Nope. Okay. Then nine seats. Thank you. Is that agreed? Thank you. Is it agreed that North Area Planning Subcommittee of ten seats can be appointed? Thank you. In regard to the remaining recommendations, K and I, within this report, are these agreed? Thank you. All right, agenda item ten. This is appointments and nominations to outside bodies. Councillor Rowling, as the subcommittee chair, may I invite you to move the report of the appointment subcommittee meeting held on 8 May 2024 and any updates in respect of this matter? Thank you, Mayor. I do so move. Thank you. Is that seconded? Seconded. Thank you. Is the report agreed? Thank you. Moving on to agenda item eleven. Record of attendance of the Councillors at meetings of the Council, so cabinet committees, subcommittees, et cetera, during the municipal year 2023-2024. Members, is the report noted? Thank you. Thank you, members. That now concludes the business of the Annual Council and the meetings of various committees will now follow in order for the appointment of chairs and vice chairs for the 2024-2025 to take place. I refer members to the notice of the committee meetings held at the rise of the Annual Council meeting as circulated and in particular to the circulated list of the names of members chosen by their respective groups to serve on these committees. With your agreement, I will now ask the Chief Executive to lead the process for the appointment chairs and vice chairs. He will invite members appointed to each of the relevant committees to stand at the appropriate time so that the chair and vice chair for the 2024-2025 municipal year may be appointed. Thank you. Chief, is that good? Thank you, Mr Mayor. Members, we don't have any notification of any temporary substitutes for the committees, so we're going to proceed. Could I ask the members of the Audit and Standards Committee please stand? May I take any nomination for chair? I'd like to you and propose Councillor FLATO. Is that seconded? Are there any other nominations? Okay, so Councillor FLATO is therefore appointed as Chair of the Audit and Standards Committee. Can I take nominations for vice chair? I'd like to put myself forward. Is that seconded? Are there any other nominations? Councillor Parker is therefore appointed as vice chair of the Audit and Standards Committee. That concludes the meeting of the committee. Please be seated. Now we're going to move to the licensing committee. Could members of the licensing committee please stand? Can I ask for nominations for chair? I'd like to nominate Councillor SARS-B as Chair of the less committee. Is that seconded? Are there any other nominations? Councillor SARS-B is therefore appointed as Chair of the less committee. Can I take nominations for vice chair? Can I nominate please? Councillor Pietrangelo please. Thank you. Is that seconded? Are there any other nominations? Councillor Harman is therefore appointed as vice chair of the license committee. That concludes the meeting of the committee. Please be seated. Can I ask the members of the opening attorney committee to please stand? Can I take nominations for chair? Thank you, Chief Executive. I'd like to nominate Councillor COWP as Chair of everything. Is that seconded? Are there any other nominations? Councillor COWP is therefore appointed as Chair of all vioose committee. Can I take nominations for vice chair? Is that seconded? Are there any other nominations? Councillor Graham is therefore appointed as vice chair of the vioose committee. That concludes the meeting of the committee. Please be seated. Can I ask members of the planning committee to stand? Can I take nominations for chair of the planning committee? Thank you. I'd like to nominate Councillor Barry Chaney as chair of planning committee. Is that seconded? Are there any other nominations? Councillor CHAN is therefore appointed as chair of the planning committee. Can I take nominations for vice chair? Thank you. I'd like to nominate Councillor Alex CUMPS as vice chair. Is that seconded? Are there any other nominations? Councillor CUMPS is therefore appointed as vice chair of the planning committee. That concludes the meeting of the committee. Please be seated. Members of the shareholder committee of housing, please stand. I'd like to nominate Councillor Rolings as chair. Is that seconded? Are there any other nominations? Councillor Rolins is therefore appointed as chair of the chair of the committee. Can I take nominations for vice chair? Any nomination for vice chair? Is that seconded? Are there any other nominations? Councillor Bauchler is therefore appointed as vice chair. Thank you. That concludes the meeting of the committee. Please be seated. It also concludes all the meetings of the committee this evening. Members, can I please ask you in a few moments to make your way down to the main reception for you? Will the newly elected mayor be pleased to welcome you? Before that, could you just give the mayor some time to process out of the room? Thank you. Thank you. (silence) (silence) (silence) (silence) (silence) (silence) (silence) (silence) (silence) (silence) (silence) (silence) (silence) (silence) (silence) (silence) (silence) [BLANK_AUDIO]