Agenda item
Mayor's Announcements (including any petitions received)
To receive any announcements from the Mayor.
Minutes:
The Mayor made the following announcements:
(i) Councillor Shaw
The Mayor was sorry to have to inform Members that Councillor Carol Shaw had recently be taken unwell whilst on holiday. He advised that she was, however, now back in the country in order to rest and recuperate. He had already conveyed best wishes to her for a speedy recoveryand he was sure all Members would join him in sending Councillor Shaw their thoughts and best wishes.
(ii) People of Indian Origin Parliamentary Conference
The Mayor advised Members that he had recently visited New Delhi, in order to participate in the People of Indian Origin Parliamentary Conference hosted by the Prime Minister of India. He had been proud to share how so many cultures were supported and embraced in Brent and to demonstrate how much this diversity enriched the work undertaken to help improve families’ quality of life and how residents were being engaged through the community hubs.
(iii) Cyrille Regis
It was with sadness that the Mayor referred to the recent and sudden passing of Cyrille Regis, who he pointed out had not only been a fantastic talent, but a pioneer in helping football tackle the racial abuse of its players.
The Mayor reminded Members that he had originated from Stonebridge and had then returned to Brent to lift the FA Cup at Wembley and represent England, later collecting an MBE for services to charity and football. Paying tribute, the Mayor advised that his passing at the age of 59 was both a huge shock and a very sad loss and that the Council’s thoughts and prayers were with his family.
(iv) Fundraising Update
The Mayor was pleased to announce that he had held the second fundraising event of his Mayoral year at Stattavis Patidar Centre on Friday 8 December 2017. This event had been a success and enjoyed by all and he thanked all those who had been able to support it.
(v) Holocaust & Genocide Memorial Day
The Mayor reminded Members that Brent Holocaust and Genocide Memorial Day would be taking place on Thursday 25 January 2018 at 7pm in the Conference Hall. He advised the event would include speakers and communities who had been affected by the Holocaust and other Genocides around the world including Bosnia, Cambodia, Darfur and Rwanda. The programme would also include poetry, music, a Holocaustsurvivor speaker, choir and refreshments. All Members were encouraged to attend.
(vi) Brent Teaching Awards
The Mayor was pleased to be able to announce that two Brent teachers were celebrating being featured in the Varkey Foundation’s Global Teacher Prize Competition international list of top 50 teachers around the world. He asked Members to join him in congratulating Eartha Pound from Crest Academy in Neasden and Andria Zafirakou from Alperton Community School for this achievement
(vii) Brent School Achievements
The Mayor advised that he was also delighted to inform members that in addition to the many outstanding schools across the Borough, two schools had recently featured in The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2018 identified as being among the highest-achieving primary schools in the UK - the schools were St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Primary School in Harlesden and Our Lady of Grace Junior School in Dollis Hill.
(viii) New Years Honours
The Mayor then went on to congratulate, PC Paul Lockhart (as a former police constable in Brent) who he advised had been recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours. Members were advised that Paul had recently retired from serving the borough after a 36-year career, and had been awarded a Queen’s Policing Medal (QPM) for his role in helping to tackle serious and organised crime gangs internationally and at home.
(ix) Pride of Brent Awards
The Mayor advised he was also delighted to have been able to attend this year’s Pride of Brent awards which he felt demonstrated the wealth of dedicated, hardworking staff within Brent. He was also particularly pleased to have seen so many different community groups and local businesses celebrate each other’s achievements at the event. In terms of the staff awards, specific reference was made to two individuals – Angela Barnes and Ren Mulley who he advised had each worked for the Council for over 40 years. Members joined the Mayor in a round of applause.
(x) Petitions
Members noted that in accordance with Standing Order 66(f) a list of current petitions had been circulated which also detailed the progress made in dealing with them.