Issue - meetings

To receive any announcements from the Mayor.

Announcements from the Mayor were noted in relation to:

·             Remembrance Sunday

·             Conflict in the Middle East

·             Black History Month and other Mayoral engagements

·             Islamophobia Awareness Month

·             Kings Award for Voluntary Service

·             LGIU Councillor Awards

·             100^th birthday celebration

·             Mayors Christmas Fundraising Ball

·             Petitions

Eligible for Call-In: No

The Mayor made the following announcements:

(i)     Remembrance Sunday

The Mayor began her announcements by seeking to reflect on Remembrance Sunday and pay tribute to all those who had lost their lives in conflicts around the world.  As part of the tributes, The Mayor advised she had been honoured to attend the borough remembrance service at Barham Park, which she was pleased to see had included representatives from a number of students at schools across Brent.  As part of the programme of events, the Mayor advised she had also been pleased to attend the AJEC Jewish Military Association annual remembrance parade and ceremony at the Cenotaph.

(ii)    Conflict in the Middle East

Turning her attention to other events the Mayor advised that her thoughts were also with all those affected by the current conflict in Israel and Gaza.  In recognising that every life lost was a tragedy on all those impacted she asked members to join her in praying for the innocent people who had been affected and for a swift end to the conflict in hope that peace could be achieved.

Highlighting the personal impact of the conflict on communities across the borough the Mayor advised that she was also aware of the trauma this had created and, whilst recognising that people would have different ways of expressing solidarity with the people of Gaza and Israel, outlined her continued commitment as Mayor to fostering a strong level of community cohesion and reaching out to all of the communities affected across the borough.

(iii)    Black History Month and other Mayoral events

The Mayor took the opportunity to thank everyone involved in developing and delivering the programme of activities to celebrate Black History month during October, which she had been pleased to be able to participate in and had included a number of visits to schools across the borough.

Other events attended since the previous Council meeting had included:

·             The launch of ManVan – Brent’s Prostate Cancer Screening Bus.

·             Brent Care Leavers Awards Ceremony.

·             Brent Start Student Awards Ceremony.

·             Act of Hope and Remembrance for those affected by hate crime.

·             A number of visits to celebrate the Navratri Festival and to local temples in Brent with the Deputy Lieutenant in order to celebrate Diwali, with all those celebrating wished a Happy Diwali

(iv)   Islamophobia Awareness Month

The Mayor advised that she was also pleased to be supporting Islamophobia Awareness month, which included a range of activities designed to raise awareness and bring people together in standing against discrimination and hate crime.  Members were reminded that as part of the programme of activities, Brent Council would be hosting an event on 21 November from 6 – 8pm at the Civic Centre that would include stories, discussion and presentations and she hoped all members would be able to attend.

(v)    Kings Award for Voluntary Service

On behalf of both herself and the Council, the Mayor advised she would like to congratulate the Central Mosque of Brent Charity following receipt of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5