Agenda and minutes

To agree the procedures for the operation of hybrid meetings.

As there were no parties attending remotely, this item was not considered.

There were no declarations.

To elect the Mayor of the Borough for the ensuing year.

(The Local Government Act 1972 provides that the Mayor shall be elected annually by the Council from among the Councillors of the Borough.)

The Mayor invited nominations for the post of Mayor of Camden for the Municipal Year 2023/24.  Councillor Tiwari nominated Councillor Rahman and made a short speech in support of the nomination.  Councillors Simon and Spinella both seconded the nomination and made short speeches in support.

As there were no other nominations for Mayor, it was

RESOLVED –

THAT Councillor Nazma Rahman be elected Mayor of the Borough for the ensuing year.

Councillor Rahman was duly invested, and made and signed the declaration of acceptance of office.

The Mayor announced that her Mayoress would be Ruji Mahmud and her escorts would be Thaspia Rahman, Mairah Rahman, Al-Mahi Rahman, Farida Rashid, Nima Stepney, Nasima Hatrapal, Halima Rani Khatun, Amina Ahmed, Councillor Nadia Shah, Councillor Marcus Boyland, Councillor Adam Harrison, Councillor Shiva Tiwari and Councillor Sharon Hardwick.

The Mayor then addressed the Council.

The Mayor to announce the appointment of the Deputy Mayor.

The Mayor announced that she was pleased to appoint Councillor Samata Khatoon to fill the office of Deputy Mayor.  Councillor Khatoon was duly appointed.

Councillor Khatoon announced that her Deputy Mayor’s Consort would be Mohammed Saj and her Escorts would be Jennifer Hughes, Councillor Shah Miah, Councillor Edmund Frondigoun, Councillor Ajok Athian, Councillor Richard Cotton, Rena Labongo, Munadia Hussain, Maureen Robinson and Councillor Lotis Bautista.

Votes of thanks to the past Mayor.

Councillor Johnson moved a vote of thanks to the Retiring Mayor, which was seconded by Councillors Dixey and Spinella.

Councillor Ali then addressed the Council.

70^th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice

Councillor Johnson announced that there would be a memorial event commemorating the 70^th anniversary of the armistice in the Korean War at Horseguards Parade on 27^th July 2023 and people wishing to attend could apply through the British Legion website.  There would also be an exhibition on Horseguards open to the wider public.

International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

Councillor Martin-Lane announced that 17^th May was the international day against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia and the flag was currently flying above the Town Hall. He encouraged everyone present to redouble their efforts to make LGBTQ+ people feel safe in the Borough.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Callaghan, Greenwood, Lenga, Kirk, Mulholland, Parkinson and Shah.

To receive notification of the names of the Cabinet and their portfolios, and to receive notification of the names of the Leaders of the opposition groups.

The Leader of the Council addressed the meetings and informed the Council that she intended to appoint the following Cabinet Members:-

Cabinet Member for Safer Communities – Councillor Pat Callaghan

Cabinet Member for Better Homes – Councillor Meric Apak

Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care – Councillor Anna

Wright

Cabinet Member for Finance and Cost of Living – Councillor Richard Olszewski

Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families – Councillor Marcus

Boyland

Cabinet Member for Young People and Culture – Councillor Sabrina Francis

Cabinet Member for New Homes, Jobs and Community Investment – Councillor

Danny Beales

Cabinet Member for Voluntary Sector, Equalities and Cohesion – Councillor Nadia Shah

Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Camden – Councillor Adam Harrison

The Deputy Leader of the Council would be Councillor Callaghan.

Councillor Dixey advised the Council that the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group would be Councillor Simon and the Deputy Leader would be Councillor Jirira.  She would be the Group Whip.

Councillor Stark advised the Council that the Leader of the Conservative Group would be Councillor Spinella and the Deputy Leader would be Councillor Parkinson.  He would be the Group Whip.

Report of the Borough Solicitor

This annual report outlines the requirements relating to the establishment of Council bodies within the Constitution for the 2023/24 municipal year. It asks the Council to establish these bodies, agree their terms of reference and appoint Members to them, including the Chairs (and, where shown, Vice-Chairs). It also asks the Council to agree some minor changes to the Constitution and to confirm the meeting dates for the 2023/24 municipal year.

The Mayor drew the Council’s attention to the report published on the agenda and to the papers circulated earlier in the day and tabled at the meeting which contained the nominations to committees and sub-committees.

On being put to the vote, it was unanimously

RESOLVED –

(i)            THAT the bodies, their size and terms of reference and meeting dates for the 2023/24 municipal year be agreed as set out in Appendices A and B of the main agenda, as amended by the tabled papers;

(ii)          THAT those nominated by the political groups as set out on the updated version of Appendix B tabled at the meeting, including Chairs and Vice-Chairs where shown, be appointed for the 2023/24 municipal year (unless otherwise stated);

(iii)         THAT the Constitution shall remain unchanged other than those amendments considered by Audit and Corporate Governance Committee and detailed in paragraph 7 of the report, and otherwise confirms it as currently published; and

(iv)         THAT the arrangements for delegations to officers be as set out in Appendix A of the report; and

(v)          THAT authority be delegated to the Borough Solicitor to make and publish an amended Constitution following the changes made pursuant to (iii) above.