Issue - meetings

To receive any announcements from the Mayor.

Announcements from the Mayor were noted in relation to:

·             Kings News Years Honours List 2024

·             Holocaust & Genocide Memorial Day

·             New Year’s Day Parade

·             106^th birthday celebration – Mary Thomas

·             Death of former councillor & Mayor Ramesh Patel – with tributes paid by Councillors Muhammed Butt, Kabir, Mistry, Afzal, Gbajumo, Mahmood & Chohan.

·             Petitions

The Mayor made the following announcements:

(i)     Kings New Years Honours List

The Mayor began her announcements by congratulating all those associated with Brent who had received an honour in the Kings New Year Honours list for 2024.

Members congratulated all those who had been honoured for their awards.

(ii)    Holocaust & Genocide Memorial Day

The Mayor advised members that January had included the commemoration event for this year’s Holocaust & Genocide Memorial Day with the theme focussed on the “Fragility of Freedom”.

In reflecting on the nature of the human tragedy involved, the Mayor urged everyone to consider the lessons learnt in allowing hate and discrimination to be tolerated and how these could be used to stand against all forms of discrimination in order to prevent such atrocities from happening again in the future.  Thanks were extended to all those involved in organising the event.

(iii)    New Years Day Parade

Despite the cold weather, the Mayor advised that she has been pleased to attend the London New Years Day parade.  Special praise was given to Mahogany in Harlesden who had represented Brent in the parade and, the Mayor was delighted to inform members, had achieved 2nd place in the parade event resulting in a £10,000 contribution being awarded to her charities.

(iv)   100^th Birthday Celebration

The Mayor advised she had been pleased to join Mrs Mary “Mama” Thomas, a local Brent resident, in celebrating her 106^th birthday.  In celebrating this achievement all members joined the Mayor in wishing Mrs Thomas a happy 106^th birthday.

(v)    Death of Former Councillor Ramesh Patel

The Mayor informed members that it was with regret she had to end her announcements with sad news about the death of former Mayor and Councillor Ramesh Patel.

Recognising that many councillors would have known and worked with former Councillor Ramesh Patel during his time serving on the Council, the Mayor took the opportunity to pay tribute to his dedication and commitment as a representative of Brent and the communities he served for which, she felt, he would always be remembered.  Speaking on behalf of the Council, the Mayor highlighted how much Ramesh would be missed by all those who knew him.

Given there were a number of members who had indicated they would also like the opportunity to pay personal tribute and commemorate him the Mayor advised she would be happy to provide an opportunity for other members to do so at this stage in proceedings with the following comments made:

In opening the tributes, Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) began by highlighting the role former Councillor Patel had played in supporting and mentoring him when he had first joined the Council and took the opportunity to praise his honesty and integrity, especially during his time serving on the Planning Committee.  Whilst aware that both Ramesh and his wife had been challenged by deteriorating health over the last few years Councillor M.Butt felt this had not dampened his warmth, determination and spirit,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7