Malcolm is the new mayor

THE first virtual council meeting for Wokingham Borough Council saw a new mayor and deputy elected – but not without some debate.

Held on Tuesday evening, the meeting had been postponed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The annual meeting was initially chaired by outgoing mayor, before incoming mayor Cllr Malcolm Richards took over.

Cllr Keith Baker MBE was appointed deputy mayor, although the Liberal Democrats made their own nomination and both the party and the Labour group voted against this appointment.

Summing up his mayoral year, which had been extended by the virus postponing council meetings, Cllr Soane said it “has been particularly interesting for me”.

He praised the Wokingham town centre regeneration project, singling out the opening of a supermarket, the cinema and many independent shops.

He also enjoyed following the construction of Bulmershe Leisure Centre which is complete but has not yet opened after the Government closed all nonessential businesses and gyms in March.

Wokingham. Today understands that it is hoped that the site will open later in the summer.

“Since the virus, it’s a shame I’m not able to officially open it,” Cllr Soane said.

His mayoral charity was one “dear to my heart” – Debra.

“Unfortunately due to the epidemic, I was unable to hold my spring (fudnraising) event, but thanks to the generosity (of residents), we’ve been able to raise just under £7,000.”

On Cllr Richards as mayor: “I nominated him without hesitation. I know the coming year, you will be a great success.

“When you take up mayor or any position in the council, you need the support of your family.”

He thanked his wife for being with him at many events.

“Finally, I’d like to thank officers and staff, and for members for allowing me the opportunity to serve as mayor.”

Cllr John Halsall, leader of the ruling Conservative group, formally nominated Cllr Richards as mayor, seconded by Cllr Lindsay Ferris, the leader of the Liberal Democrats.

Cllr Ferris said: “Malcolm is a very well respected councillor and deserves to be mayor.”

The chief executive of Wokingham Borough Council, Susan Parsonage, then declared that Cllr Richards was nominated as mayor for the municipal year of 2020/21.

Councillors tuning in clapped the decision, but before a vote could be held, Cllr Chris Smith raised a point of order: under the constitution, that there was no allowance for group leaders to block vote for their members.

The council’s democratic and electoral services lead specialist, Anne Hunter, said that it was allowed under the guidance as long as the groups had agreed, adding that the constitution had been written before virtual meetings were permissible.

Cllr Soane said that these are unusual circumstances and that anyone who had an opposing view would be noted: “I can’t see how there would be a problem with that”.

Cllr Smith said: “This contradicts what is in our constitution, it doesn’t matter what the group leaders think”.

Cllr Alison Swaddle raised another point of order, pointing out that party leaders had agreed.

Ms Hunter said that unless members were happy to change this procedure, there would have to be a named vote – where councillors vote one-by-one on every motion – during the evening.

To approve the changes, a named vote was taken to check councillors were happy to allow block votes to be used for this council meeting.

As the vote was passed, Cllr

Richards robed up and began chairing the meeting, giving an address about the current situation.

He wanted to focus on families with young children, with his charities of the year being Home Start Wokingham charity and First Days Wokingham.

When it came to the deputy mayor, Cllr Keith Baker was nominated by the Conservatives, while Cllr Lindsay Ferris nominated Cllr Caroline Smith.

Cllr John Kaiser said that he wanted Cllr Baker to be deputy mayor in recognition of his service to both the borough and Woodley Town Council, where he serves as leader.

Cllr Ferris said that “she would make a very, very good deputy mayor” and she was very well respected in the chamber.

Council leader Cllr John Halsall said that Cllr Baker had served in most positions in the council and that the nomination was a welldeserved one.

In the vote, the Conservative’s 31 votes and two independents overruled the Lib Dem’s 15, Labour’s 4 and one independent.

Cllr Keith Baker said in his acceptance speech that he believed the mayor should be a non-political appointment.

Labour group leader Cllr Andy Croy voted against. He told Wokingham. Today: “The Tories are preparing to lose the local elections next year, and they’re hoping to have a partisan mayor in place.

“They want the most politically minded of members to be in charge of the council – he will have the casting vote.

And Lib Dem leader Cllr Lindsay Ferris said: “When Cllr Baker was leader of the council, he treated us like a piece of whatever. The group did not like it.

“On a personal level, I get on fine with him.

“I needed someone to stand against him. That’s not saying he can’t do the job (of mayor) but he’s divisive.”