Agenda and minutes

To appoint a relief Chairman.

1.1      Motion moved by the Lord Mayor and seconded by Councillor Ellie Ormsby, that Councillor Ryan Jude be elected as Relief Chair.

1.2      Motion put, and on a show of hands, declared CARRIED.

To sign the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 20 September.

2.1      The minutes of the proceedings at the Council meeting held on Wednesday 20 September 2023 were, with the assent of the Members present, signed by the Lord Mayor as a true record of the proceedings.

1.      The Lord Mayor to report that, on Saturday 23^rd September, she attended the Vitality Westminster Mile on the Mall.

2.       The Lord Mayor to report that, on Sunday 24^th September, she attended the Costermongers Harvest Festival at The Guildhall.

3.       The Lord Mayor to report that, on Wednesday 27^th September, she attended the Pimlico Musical Foundation event at St Gabriel’s, Pimlico.

4.      The Lord Mayor to report that, on Friday 29^th September, she attended a Eucharist for the Ordination and Consecration of three new Bishops, at The Abbey and that she also attended the CIAC Mid-Autumn Festival Lunch on Newport Place.

5.      The Lord Mayor to report that, on Saturday 30^th September, she attended the St Peter’s Eaton Square Michaelmas Fair and the launch of the Mental Health Hub at Pimlico Library.

6.      The Lord Mayor to report that, on Sunday 1^st October, she attended Silver Sunday events at Leonora House and the Wallace Collection and attended the Japan Matsuri Opening Ceremony in Trafalgar Square.

7.      The Lord Mayor to report that, on Tuesday 3^rd October, she attended Evensong and a Tour of The Abbey.

8.      The Lord Mayor to report that, on Thursday 5^th October, she attended an Evening with The Passage event, at The Passage.

9.      The Lord Mayor to report that, on Saturday 7^th October, she attended the 50^th Anniversary Prayer Book Society Holy Communion at The Abbey.

10.  The Lord Mayor to report that, on Sunday 8^th October, she attended the Pimlico Puffins Swimming Gala at the Queen Mother Sports Centre.

11.  The Lord Mayor to report that, on Wednesday 11^th October, she attended the Annual National Service for Seafarers at St Paul’s Cathedral.

12.  The Lord Mayor to report that, on Thursday 12^th October, she attended the Edith Cavell Wreath Laying Ceremony on St Martin’s Place, the National Day of Spain reception at the Spanish Embassy and the Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster Chamber of Commerce Business Awards at One Great George Street.

13.  The Lord Mayor to report that, on Sunday 15^th October, she attended the Lord Mayors’ Association Civic Service at The Abbey.

14.  The Lord Mayor to report that, on Monday 16^th October, she attended a Georgian Embassy event at St Saviour’s Church, Pimlico

15.  The Lord Mayor to report that, on Tuesday 17^th October, she attended the Dance Westminster Grand Final at Porchester Hall.

16.  The Lord Mayor to report that, on Saturday 21^st October, she attended the London Westminster Lions Club 20^th Charter Anniversary at Browns Restaurant.

17.  The Lord Mayor to report that, on Sunday 22^nd October, she attended the Trafalgar Day Parade and Reception at Trafalgar Square and Wellington Barracks.

18.  The Lord Mayor to report that, on Monday 23^rd October, she attended a Gibraltar Day Celebration at Somerset House.

19.  The Lord Mayor to report that, on Tuesday 24^th October, she attended a dinner with the  ...  view the full agenda text for item 3.

3.1      The Lord Mayor referred to these as set out on the agenda.

3.2      The Lord Mayor reported that she had attended a number of Remembrance Services over the weekend and requested that a minute’s silence be held to remember all those who had given their lives for the defence of this country and the freedoms we all held dear. 

4.1      There were no declarations of interest.

With the approval of the Chair of the meeting, the Leader of the Council may make a statement on an urgent matter and the Leader of the Opposition will have an equivalent right of reply.

5.1      There were no urgent matters.

6.1      Councillor Paul Swaddle presented a petition from local residents titled ‘2023 St John’s Wood Street Cleaning Changes’ which requested that the Council not relocate the street cleaning depot from 215 Lisson Grove. The petition was referred to the relevant Chief Officer for reporting to the Cabinet Member for City Management and Air Quality.

The Lord Mayor will invite members of the public who have been chosen to present their question or petition.  After which the relevant Cabinet Member or Committee Chair will respond.

7.1      Members of the public asked four questions which were responded to by the relevant Cabinet Members. The questions and responses are available on the Council’s website.

The Lord Mayor will call Members who have indicated that they wish to ask a question after the Leader of the Opposition has asked her questions.

8.1      The questions, supplementary questions and replies are included as a recording on the Council’s website.

Councillor Robert Eagleton – ‘Affordable Housing in Pimlico and Westminster'

9.1      Affordable Housing in Pimlico and Westminster

           Councillor Robert Eagleton spoke, and Councillor Matt Noble replied.

To consider any items for debate.

10.1    The Majority Party selected to debate the topic of the Evening and Night-Time Environment. The debate would be referred to the relevant Executive Director for consideration when reporting on the subject.

To receive, consider and debate, if chosen, the following report which contains a recommendation to the Council for approval and adoption.

11.1    The Lord Mayor put the recommendation of the report to Full Council regarding the appointment of the Honorary Recorder to the vote and on a show of hands declared the recommendation adopted.

RESOLVED:

That the appointment of His Honour Judge Tony Baumgartner as Honorary Recorder for the City of Westminster during his tenure as Resident Judge at the Crown Court at Southwark be formally approved, in accordance with the Courts Act 1971.

To receive, consider and debate, if chosen, the following report which contains recommendations to the Council for approval and adoption.

Programme of Meetings Report

12.1    The Lord Mayor put the recommendations of the General Purposes Committee report to the vote and on a show of hands declared the recommendations adopted.

RESOLVED:

1)        That meetings of the Council be held as follows: 19 June 2024, 18 September 2024, 13 November 2024, 22 January 2025, 5 March 2025, 14 May 2025 (Annual); and

2)        That the Programme of other formal Meetings set out in Appendix A of the General Purposes Committee report be approved.

To be moved by Councillor David Harvey and seconded by Councillor Mark Shearer.

Heading into the winter, residents are concerned for the rising numbers of rough sleepers across the City.

The Council commits to reenergising its third sector partnerships with urgency to develop a joint plan for action in today’s challenging circumstances.

Together, alongside these expert specialist charity partners, Westminster must work even harder to help those on the streets to find and sustain a stable and happy life, ensuring that every penny is spent in the most effective and joined up way to help people at their most vulnerable.

Rough Sleeping

13.1    The Opposition Party had selected for debate the notice of motion as set out on the agenda. The notice of motion was moved by Councillor David Harvey and seconded by Councillor Mark Shearer.

13.2    Following the debate, The Lord Mayor put the motion to the vote and following a show of hands declared the motion CARRIED.

           RESOLVED:

           That

Heading into the winter, residents are concerned for the rising numbers of rough sleepers across the City.

The Council commits to further strengthening its relations with its third sector partnerships to enable the development of a joint plan for action in today’s challenging circumstances.

Together, alongside these expert specialist charity partners, Westminster must work to help those on the streets to find and sustain a stable and happy life, ensuring that every penny is spent in the most effective and joined up way to help people at their most vulnerable.