Issue - meetings

To receive any announcements from the Mayor.

Announcements from the Mayor were noted in relation to:

·             100^th birthday celebration

·             Brent Health & Social Care Awards

·             Organ Donation Week

·             Paryushan Festival

·             Remembering victims of the earthquake in Morocco & flooding in Libya

·             Commemoration following the death of Fran Pearson (Independent Chair of Brent Adult Safeguarding Board and Safeguarding Children’s Partnership)

·             Commemoration following the death of former Councillor Ruth Moher – including personal tributes from Councillors M.Butt, Tatler, Kansagra, Mahmood, Mistry, Kabir, Lorber & Nerva followed by a minutes silence in her memory.

·             Petitions

Eligible for Call-In: No

The Mayor made the following announcements:

(i)     100^th Birthday Celebration

The Mayor began her announcements with news of a recent visit she had made to a local resident (Mrs Ida Studdart) in order to celebrate her 100^th birthday.  Highlighting the role Mrs Studdart had played as a resident of Brent and in supporting her local community since 1965 the Mayor thanked her for the contribution made and on behalf of all members wished her a happy 100^th birthday.

(ii)    Brent Health and Social Care Awards

On behalf of both herself and the Council, the Mayor advised she would like to congratulate everyone who had been honoured at the recent Brent Health and Social Care Awards.  Highlighting the success of the awards, the Mayor outlined how much of a privilege it had been to be able to recognise and celebrate the achievements of so many health and social care staff across Brent.

(iii)    Organ Donation Week

The Mayor took the opportunity to remind members about National Organ Donation week and to encourage as many members as possible to participate and encourage others to register as organ donors.

(iv)   Paryushan Festival

Recognising the importance of the week for members of the Jain community across Brent observing the Paryushan festival the Mayor hoped that Paryushan Parv would bring happiness and prosperity.

(v)    Earthquake in Morocco and Flooding in Libya

In reflecting on the devasting consequences of the recent earthquake in Morocco and flooding in Libya, the Mayor advised that the Council’s thoughts remained with all those whose lives had been affected by the terrible disasters.

(vi)   Death of Fran Pearson (Independent Chair of Brent’s Adult Safeguarding Board and Safeguarding Children’s Partnership)

The Mayor advised that it was with sadness she had to inform members of the recent death of Fran Pearson who was the Independent Chair of Brent’s Safeguarding Adults Board and had also recently been appointed as Independent Chair of Brent’s Children’s Safeguarding Partnership.

In paying tribute to Fran, the Mayor highlighted the high level of respect in which she had been held locally and nationally not only in terms of her expertise but also for the way in which she had championed and driven safeguarding activity.

In recognising how much she would be missed, the Mayor ended by expressing the Council’s deepest sympathy and condolences to Fran’s family, friends and colleagues at such a difficult time.

(vii)   Tributes following the death of former Councillor Ruth Moher

The Mayor advised that it was with regret and sadness she also had to inform members of the recent death of former Councillor Ruth Moher who had passed away following a long illness.  In paying tribute, members were reminded of Ruth’s dedication and passion as a public servant who had served on the Council from 2005 to 2018 where she had represented Fryant ward and also spent time as Deputy Leader.  In recognising her compassion and commitment to making a difference, the Mayor advised that she had agreed to allow  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5

To receive any announcements from the Mayor.

Announcements from the Mayor were noted in relation to:

·             Kings Birthday Honours List 2023

·             Pride Flag Raising Event

·             75^th Anniversary of Windrush event

·             Reopening of Harlesden Library

·             Srebrenica Memorial Event

·             Barham Primary School shortlist in “Community Collaboration” category Worlds Best School

·             Celebrating 75 years of the NHS

·             Community Cohesion

·             Death of Sir Ben Helfgott – including commemoration and tributes from Councillors Maurice & Nerva

·             Petitions

The Mayor made the following announcements:

(i)     Kings News Years Honours List 2023

The Mayor began her announcements by congratulating everyone connected with Brent who had received an honour in the King's 2023 Birthday Honours list.  Members were advised that this included Bob Blackman MP who had received a CBE for his outstanding contribution and dedication to public service and who had served as Deputy Leader of Brent Council between 2006 and 2010 and Leader of Brent Council between 1991 and 1996.

(ii)    Pride Flag Raising

The Mayor advised that she had been pleased to attend (along with many other councillors, staff and residents) an LGBTQ+ Flag raising event on the 6th June, arranged to mark Pride month.

(iii)    75 Anniversary of Windrush

The Mayor took the opportunity to thank all those involved in arranging a recent event held at the Civic Centre to honour 75 years of HMT Empire Windrush’s arrival in the UK.  Highlighting how wonderful it had been to see so many people attending and enjoying the event, the Mayor felt it important to recognise the significant opportunity this had provided to thank all those from that generation who made such sacrifices and contributed towards the rebuilding of post war Britain.

(iv)   Reopening of Harlesden Library

In terms of other engagements, the Mayor advised members it had also been her pleasure to attend and celebrate the official reopening of Harlesden Library.  Referring to the success of the Council in attracting grant funding from Arts Council England towards the refurbishment of the library in the hub of Harlesden, she was pleased to report that the opening event had been well attended and enjoyed by all who were there.

(v)    Srebrenica Memorial Event

The Mayor advised she had also been honoured to attend the recent Srebrenica Memorial Event, which had marked 28 years since the genocide at Srebrenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

(vi)   Barham Primary School

Congratulating the school on their achievement, the Mayor advised she had also been pleased to attend an event at Barham Primary School in order to celebrate them having achieved international recognition by being shortlisted for an award in the ‘Community Collaboration’ category, as one of the Top 10 schools in the prestigious World's Best School Prize.  Referring to the special ceremony she commended all those involved including the pupils for their performances.

(vii)   Celebrating 75 years of the NHS

The Mayor informed members she was delighted to be able to report that Jenny Lanyero, Team Manager of the Brent Health Inequalities Team, had recently been invited to attend a reception at No.10 Downing Street to celebrate 75 years of the NHS.  The reception had been attended by more than 100 NHS staff from across the country working at various levels and across a range of diverse services.  The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had briefly attended along with Steve Barclay, as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care who when speaking had taken the time to recognise the history of the NHS  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5