Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Epsom Town Hall, https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7064586926712674571

Contact: Democratic Services, Email: democraticservices@epsom-ewell.gov.uk  tel: 01372 732000

Items
No. Item

21.

Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations of the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.

Minutes:

No declarations of interest were made by Councillors regarding items on the agenda.

22.

Councillor Robert Foote

Minutes:

It was with great sadness that the Mayor announced the sudden death of Councillor Robert Foote. The Mayor extended the Council’s thoughts and best wishes to Councillor Foote’s family and close friends.

Councillors Phil Neale, Jan Mason, Nigel Collin, Kate Chinn, Bernie Muir, Julie Morris and Neil Dallen paid tribute to Councillor Foote as a colleague, Ward Councillor and friend.

As a mark of respect, the Council stood in a minute’s silence.

23.

Mayoral Communications/Business

To receive such communications or deal with such business as the Mayor may decide to lay before the Council.

Minutes:

The Mayor made a number of announcements relating to noteworthy events over the past two months and to forthcoming charity events.

24.

Afgan Locally Employed Staff (LES) relocation scheme pdf icon PDF 343 KB

The report sets out the issues associated with the Government’s Afghan refugee Locally Employed Staff (LES) relocation scheme with a recommendation that the Council agrees to accommodate up to 2 Afghan households, using accommodation specifically made available for those arriving under this scheme.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council received a report setting out the issues associated with the Government’s Afghan refugee Locally Employed Staff (LES) relocation scheme with a recommendation that the Council agrees to accommodate up to 2 Afghan households, using accommodation specifically made available for those arriving under this scheme.

Councillor Alex Coley MOVED and Councillor Luke Giles SECONDED the recommendations in the report.

An amendment to the motion was MOVED by Councillor Kate Chinn and SECONDED by Councillor Neil Dallen.

The proposed amendment was as follows:

(2)          “Agree to offer to assist up to 2 Afghan households under that resettlement scheme by making use of the accommodation currently available to the Council.

(2)          Agree to offer to assist up to 5 households under that resettlement scheme by making use of accommodation sourced through the Epsom Refugee Network.”

Upon being put, the amendment was accepted by the proposer of the original motion and became part of the substantive motion. Accordingly, the substantive motion was amended to read as follows:

(1)          Agree that the Council will offer to participate in the Afghan Locally Employed Staff resettlement scheme as detailed in this report.

(2)          Agree to offer to assist up to 5 households under that resettlement scheme by making use of accommodation sourced through the Epsom Refugee Network.

Following the resolution of the amendment, the substantive motion was debated and put to a vote.

Upon being put the substantive motion was CARRIED unanimously.

Accordingly, it was resolved to:

(1)          Agree that the Council will offer to participate in the Afghan Locally Employed Staff resettlement scheme as detailed in this report.

(2)          Agree to offer to assist up to 5 households under that resettlement scheme by making use of accommodation sourced through the Epsom Refugee Network.

 

25.

Annual Plan 2021- 2022 pdf icon PDF 246 KB

This report sets out the Annual Plan 2021- 2022 outlining the key objectives and performance indicators to support the delivery of the Council’s Four Year Plan 2020- 2024.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council received a report setting out the Annual Plan 2021- 2022 outlining the key objectives and performance indicators to support the delivery of the Council’s Four Year Plan 2020- 2024.

Councillor Colin Keane MOVED the recommendations in the report.

Upon being put, the recommendations were CARRIED with a majority vote in favour.

Accordingly, it was resolved to:

(1)          Agree the draft key objectives and performance indicators identified within the Annual Plan for 2021 – 2022.

(2)          Agree that the Annual Plan for 2021- 22 supersedes previously agreed action plans  for 2021- 22.

26.

Appointment of Interim Monitoring Officer pdf icon PDF 239 KB

This report seeks authority for the appointment of a Monitoring Officer for twelve months. 

Minutes:

Council received a report seeks authority for the appointment of an Interim Monitoring Officer for twelve months.

Councillor Colin Keane MOVED and Councillor Alex Coley SECONDED the recommendations in the report.

Council was informed of a correction to paragraph 1.2 to the report to read as follows:

“1.2     The current Monitoring Officer role is undertaken by the Chief Legal Officer, who leaves her employment with Epsom & Ewell Borough Council on 3 October 2021.”

Upon being put, the recommendations were CARRIED with a majority vote in favour.

Accordingly, it was resolved to:

(1)      Approve the appointment of Olwen Brown of Anthony Collins Solicitors on an interim basis, as the Council’s Monitoring Officer with effect from 1 October 2021.

(2)      Authorise the Director of Corporate Services in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Strategy and Resources to agree terms of contract and/ or Service Level Agreement governing the appointment.