Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Adje, Arthur, G Bull, Ejiofor, Hare, Hearn, Marshall, Peacock, Reith, and Ross, and for lateness from Councillor Stennett.

NOTED

In accordance with Part Four – Section A(4.2) of the Constitution, it being a extraordinary meeting of the Council no other business shall be considered other than those items stated on the summons. Any tabled items will only relate to those items shown on the Summons.

There were no late items of urgent business.

NOTED

There were no declarations of interests.

NOTED

The Chief Executive advised that  his report before the meeting for consideration sought approval of Full Council to changes to political group composition, and resultant changes to appointments to Committees for 2014/15.

The Chief Whip moved  that the recommendations in the report be agreed with the inclusion of Cllr Mallett in the list of those members appointed to  the Dismissal Appeals Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED

i.              That the changes to Political Group composition, and political group officers as detailed in paragraphs 4.2 & 4.3 be noted, and  as follows:

a.    The appointment of Councillor McShane to the vacant position of Chief Whip in the Labour Group as confirmed by her political group on 25 September 2014;

b.    the Woodside By-Election on 2 October 2014 and the election of Charles Wright as Labour Councillor and noting that Councillor Wright was now a member of the Labour Group;

ii.            That the resultant changes to Council body memberships as detailed in paragraph 4.5 of the report be agreed with the inclusion of Cllr Mallett on the list of members appointed to the  Dismissal Appeals Sub-Committee, and as follows:

a.    Councillor Wright to replace Councillor McShane on the Corporate Committee; and

b.    Councillor Wright to be a member of the Wood Green Area Forum and Committee.

Following the sudden death of Councillor Pat Egan on 19 July 2014,  the Full Council is convened to pay its respect and give tribute to Councillor Pat Egan.

In attendance will be Councillor Egan’s close family.

The Mayor will address the meeting and this will be followed by a few words from Councillor Egan’s Son and Brother.

The Mayor will then invite the Head Teacher of St Thomas More School to say a few words.

The Mayor will then invite both current and former Members of the Council to speak in memory of Councillor Egan, and any others who may wish to speak.

At the conclusion of addresses the Mayor will give closing comments and will then formally ask that the following MOTION be MOVED.

MOTION D 2014/15

Councillor Kober has given notice that she will move the following MOTION D, to be seconded by Councillor Elliott:

‘That this Council formally places on record its heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Councillor Pat Egan who died on 19 July 2014.

This Council wishes to record the enduring care and diligence with which Councillor Pat Egan undertook his duties during his term of office from May 2006 to July 2014 in his role as Ward Councillor for Woodside Ward, as a member of various Committees of the Council and the time served as Chair of the Alexandra Palace and Park Board from December 2008 to May 2011, and then his position as Majority Chief Whip.

This Council wishes to remember Councillor Pat Egan’s strong work ethic, and  character, his  high moral values and principles, being both catholic, and a life long Labour supporter, and as a teacher and ex-deputy head teacher in his passion for education being the route to improve the lives of our children.

This Council recognises the role of Councillor Pat Egan as Chair of Governors of St Thomas More School, which earlier this year had been commended for being the most improved school in the country, and the acknowledgment that Councillor Egan had been a driving force behind this improvement.

This Council also recognises the contribution that Councillor Pat Egan had made to the Labour Group, Labour Party, and Borough as a whole, and that he will be remembered fondly by Councillors - both past and present from both political groups, and in extremely high esteem and regard, and from many officers of the Council, and local residents. 

This Council also formally passes its condolences to Councillor Pat Egan’s wife Ann, his children Sean and Sinead, his grandchildren,  his brothers, and his extended family, at the loss of such a wonderful and great man.’

The Mayor informed those present that following the sudden death of Councillor Pat Egan on 19 July 2014, the main purpose of the extraordinary Full Council was for the Council to convene to give a memorial to Councillor Egan (Pat).

The Mayor welcomed to the meeting Councillor Egan’s family – his wife Ann, his children Sean and Sinead, his brothers Tommy, and Johnny. The Mayor also welcomed members of Pat’s extended family Maureen Maguire, Nigel Smith, Teresa Burke, Johnny Egan, Joan Egan, Philip Egan, Mark Egan, Martina Southgate, Dee O'Connell, Bernard Smith, and May Smith.

The Mayor informed the meeting that Pat’s son Sean and his brother Tommy were going to say a few words in his memory.

The Mayor also welcomed to the meeting the representatives of  St Thomas More School – Mr Martin Tissot, the  Executive Head Teacher, Mr Mark Rowland  - Head of School and Mr Kevin Mc Govern Vice-Chair  of the Governing Body.  Mr Tissot would also address the meeting.

The Mayor also welcomed all Councillors to the meeting – both past and present, and advised that there would be addresses from a number of current Councillors and two former Councillors (David Schmitz and Nigel Scott).

The Mayor commented  that everyone attending the meeting was there to remember Pat.  Everyone knew him differently, either as a friend, colleague, father, brother or a grandfather and all had different memories and stories that they would remember about him.

The Mayor informed the meeting that she knew that Pat would not have enjoyed such a service about himself. He had often said “I am just the hoi polloi  not very important’…. but that’s not true. He was valued by colleagues, cared for by friends and loved by his family. He deserved the recognition and tributes that would be paid to  him in individual ways .

The Mayor commented that speaking for herself, she would always remember Pat’s self-deprecating humour which made her laugh when it was most needed. Pat wanted to make a difference, not just to the council but to Woodside Ward and Haringey as a whole, and  he certainly made a difference.

The Mayor commented that politics was a tough world, where if you don’t have friends and close colleagues, it was very easy to get isolated and get into difficulties. As the Chief Whip, Pat made an enormous effort to involve all members of the Labour group, and he stayed in touch with colleagues even when they had differences and at the same time he was very principled and expected the best from all of Councillors.  On one occasion, the Mayor remembered her  challenging a colleague somewhat harshly knowing that she had been in the wrong – a result of a bad day. The next day Pat had rung her to ask how she was and after talking over the incident, he said  “today is a new day, move on”. That was the kind of man Pat was. He accepted people’s weaknesses and always sought to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.