Issue - meetings
Mayor's Announcements
Meeting: 25/11/2019 - Council (Item 4)
Mayor's Announcements (including any petitions received)
To receive any announcements from the Mayor.
Additional documents:
Decision:
1.1 NOTED the announcement by the Chief Executive of a casual vacancy on the Council following the resignation of Councillor Michael Pavey along with the accompanying tribute from Councillor Shafique Choudhary as a fellow Barnhill ward councillor.
1.2 NOTED the announcements from the Mayor in relation to:
· Flag Raising Event – Nigerian Independence
· World Mental Health Day
· Black History Month
· Hindu New Year
· Remembrance Day Commemoration Events
· Annual Fireworks & Diwali Celebrations
· Mayor’s Charity Football Tournament
· Christmas Lights – Wembley Park
· Pride Of Brent Awards
· 100th Birthday Celebrations
· White Ribbon Day
· Mayors Christmas Charity Event
· Petitions
Minutes:
Before starting his announcements, the Mayor invited Carolyn Downs (Chief Executive) to make a short statement who advised Members she had been informed, that morning, of Councillor Pavey’s intention to resign as a councillor in Barnhill ward for personal reasons.
As the Council’s Returning Officer, she informed members that she intended to publish Notice of the Vacancy on the 26 November 2019. Subject to a formal request being received, it was anticipated that the resulting by-election would be held in late January 2020. Members were asked to join the Chief Executive in wishing Councillor Pavey well for the future and in recognising his contribution to the Council since his election in 2012, not only as a local councillor for Barnhill ward but also during his time as Lead Member for Children’s Services and Deputy Leader
Councillor Shafique Choudhary took the opportunity to pay tribute to Councillor Pavey, as a fellow councillor for Barnhill ward. Highlighting how closely he had worked with Councillor Pavey, he was keen to recognise his integrity and focus in supporting local residents and advised how much he would be missed as both a friend and valued colleague.
Following a short round of applause in tribute to Councillor Pavey, the Mayor then moved on to make the following announcements:
(i) Nigerian Independence – Flag Raising Event
The Mayor was pleased to begin his announcements by advising of the successful flag raising event held on the 1October to celebrate Nigerian Independence Day and thanked all those who had attended.
(ii) World Mental Health Day
The Mayor also took the opportunity to thank Councillor Colacicco (as Deputy Mayor) for attending the World Mental Health Day event in his absence.
(iii) Black History Month
The Mayor advised that he had been pleased to join the celebrations for Black History Month in October, which had included numerous school and other events in the borough. Amongst the events attended had been the Black History Month celebration at the Civic Centre, which had been a huge success.
(iv) Hindu New Year
Advising what an honour it had been, the Mayor informed Members that he had attended BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir to celebrate the Hindu New Year and had also been pleased to attend Diwali celebrations at the Civic Centre, alongside the Chief Executive, Council staff and representatives of the temple.
(v) Remembrance Day Commemoration Events
The Mayor advised he had also been honoured to attend the Borough Remembrance Sunday Service at Barham Park in order to commemorate all those who had lost their lives in conflicts throughout the world. Commenting on how well attended the service had been, the Mayor advised that it had been humbling to see so many turn out to pay tribute. A service had also been held at the Civic Centre the following morning, which included local children from Park Lane Primary School reading some poetry led by the War Horse Theatre Production.
(vi) Annual Fireworks and Diwali celebrations
The Mayor informed Members ... view the full minutes text for item 4