Issue - meetings

For the incoming Mayor to invite a vote of thanks for the outgoing Mayor, in accordance with Standing Order 27(c).

NOTED the vote of thanks to the outgoing Mayor.

The Mayor then invited Councillor McLennan to propose a vote of thanks for co-opted and other Members serving on the Council’s Committees.

Councillor McLennan began by thanking Councillor Mahmood for the example he had set in terms of undertaking his civic duties during his time as Mayor, highlighting the number of engagements he had attended and fundraising activities in support of his charities.  As this was the Annual Meeting of the Council she also advised it was an ideal opportunity to highlight the valued work of the Council’s co-opted committee members, given the core role they played as critical friends in the Council’s democratic process.  She advised that their independence and objectivity were highly valued and integral to the role of the bodies on which they served including Scrutiny, Audit & Standards and various health and education bodies and concluded by thanking all of the co-opted Members (including the long serving but recently retired Sheila Dar) for their work in supporting the Council’s drive towards continuous improvement.

The Mayor then invited Councillor M Butt to propose a vote of thanks to the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Mahmood.

Councillor M Butt began by congratulating Councillors Ezeajughi and Colacicco on their appointment as Mayor and Deputy Mayor.  Given their qualities, he advised he was proud to have them representing the borough during such an important year and advised that he was always impressed at how the mayoralty seemed to bring the best out of its incumbent.  Councillor M Butt felt this had definitely been the case in terms of Councillor Mahmood’s year in office with the role transforming him from one of the more unassuming councillors into an open armed, warm hearted champion for the borough and it’s many varied communities.  Commending Councillor Mahmood for his commitment and dedication during his time in office, he also highlighted the legacy he had left in relation to his charity and fundraising efforts in support of the READ Foundation and SUFRA.  He highlighted the vital support both organisations provided for individual and local communities across the borough given the impact of the current Conservative Government’s austerity measures, highlighting the important and invaluable role community leaders such as Councillor Mahmood played in terms of their continued work to support such organisations.

The selfless and diligent work and achievements by Councillor Mahmood would, he felt, raise the bar in terms of standards for civic duty.  Councillor M Butt ended by asking everyone assembled at the meeting to join him in offering their sincerest thanks to the work of Councillor Mahmood as Mayor of Brent during the 2018/2019 municipal year.

The Mayor then invited Members to make additional contributions in thanking the outgoing Mayor.

Councillor Colwill (Leader of the Conservative Group) congratulated Councillor Ezeajughi on his election as the new Mayor and Councillor Colacicco on her appointment as Deputy Mayor and, on behalf of the Conservative Group, thanked Councillor Mahmood for his year in office.  He praised the dignified way he had conducted himself and also the open and fair  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5