Issue - meetings

To receive any announcements from the Mayor.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor made the following announcements:

(i)     Passing of The Duchess of Kent

The Mayor began his announcements by taking the opportunity, on behalf of the Council, to extend his sincere condolences to all members of the Royal Family on the passing of The Duchess of Kent.

In recognising Her Royal Highness for the lifelong dedication to public service, support for charitable causes and enduring commitment to the arts and education, the Mayor felt it important to acknowledge the wide respect in which she had been held alongside her compassion and grace and with her legacy remembered with great admiration.

In honouring her memory, the Mayor offered his deepest sympathy to the Royal Family on behalf of the Council.

(ii)    Brent Student Exam results

On behalf of the Council, the Mayor then moved on to congratulate young people across the borough for the recent success achieved in their exam results.

In taking the opportunity to commend the results achieved, the Mayor felt it important to acknowledge that this reflected not only the hard work and determination displayed by young people but also the incredible support from their teachers, school staff, parents and carers with Brent’s schools continuing to inspire excellence and the students recognised as a credit to their communities.

The results achieved were also felt to highlight not only the commitment of students across the borough but also the strength of Brent’s education system, with pride expressed in all young people and Mayor looking forward to seeing all that they would accomplish in future.

(iii)    Petitions

As a final announcement, the Mayor referred members to the list of current petitions tabled at the meeting, in accordance with Standing Orders which also detailed the action being taken to deal with them.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor, including details relating to the appointment of the Deputy Mayor.

The Mayor made the following announcements:

(i)       Appointment of Deputy Mayor

The Mayor began his announcements by advising members that he had appointed Councillor Narinder Bajwa to fill the vacancy as Deputy Mayor for the remainder of the 2025-26 Municipal Year.

In raising a Point of Order on the basis of the appointment process for the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Lorber sought further explanation on the reason for the vacancy having occurred and ongoing role and requirement for a Deputy Mayor, given this had been the second successive year in which a change in appointment had been required.  In response, Marsha Henry (as Director of Law) confirmed that the appointment of the Deputy Mayor was a decision made by the Mayor.  Under Standing Order 27(b) the Mayor was required to provide written notice of the appointment, which had been received, with the matter then reported to Council and the appointment a constitutional requirement.  In addressing the reason for the appointment, it was confirmed this followed a vacancy having been declared.

Having confirmed the appointment, the meeting was paused briefly to enable Councillor Bajwa to be robed and receive the Deputy Mayors Chain of Office prior to him joining the Mayor on the dais for the remainder of the meeting.

The Mayor then invited all members to join him in welcoming and congratulating Councillor Bajwa on his appointment as Deputy Mayor.

Members then joined the Mayor in a round of applause welcoming the new Deputy Mayor.

(ii)       Outline of Mayoral events attended

The Mayor then moved on to provide an outline of recent events he had attended and supported, which he advised (based on values demonstrated across the borough in relation to community, justice, and compassion) had included visits to Claremont High School, being welcomed as the new Mayor by Neasden Temple; celebrating the achievements of the Brent District Scouts as well as marking 30 years of the first Brazilian church in Brent, joining the Lexi Cinema community run, visiting the Open Gardens in Mapesbury and celebrating International Reggae Day outside the iconic Hawkeye Record Store.

In terms of his first official engagement, he was pleased this had involved joining young people, the Brent Multi-Faith Forum and local residents on a Knife Crime Awareness Walk along Kilburn High Road and Cricklewood Broadway in order to raise awareness and focus on the devastating impact of knife crime as part of a collective commitment to keeping the borough’s communities safe.  In addition, the Mayor advised that as grandson of a Dunkirk veteran, he had also been proud to attend an event to mark the 85^th anniversary of Operation Dynamo hosted at ACE Café, Stonebridge.

In the wake of the Air India Flight AI171 tragedy, the Mayor advised that he had also joined other civic leaders at a vigil led by the Mayor’s Office to honour and remember all those who lost their lives in the disaster.  Recognising the community spirit demonstrated across Brent, he commended the way the borough had come together to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5

To receive any announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor made the following announcements:

(i)       Appointment of Deputy Mayor

The Mayor began his announcements by advising members that he had appointed Councillor Ryan Hack to fill the vacancy as Deputy Mayor for the remainder of the 2024-25 Municipal Year.

In raising a Point of Order on the basis of the appointment process for the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Lorber sought further clarification from the Corporate Director Law & Governance on the constitutional requirements regarding the need for advance notice to have been provided on the agenda and ability for the appointment to be made part way through the year.  Concern was also expressed at no reason being provided for the vacancy having occurred.  In response, Debra Norman (as Corporate Director Law & Governance) confirmed that the appointment of the Deputy Mayor was a decision made by the Mayor.  Under Standing Order 27(b) the Mayor was required to provide written notice of the appointment, which had been received, with the matter then reported to Council.  There were no specific constitutional requirement for the appointment to be listed separately on the Council agenda.  In addressing the reason for the appointment, it was confirmed the vacancy had arisen following the resignation of the previous post holder from the role.

Having confirmed the appointment, the meeting was paused briefly to enable Councillor Hack to be robed and receive the Deputy Mayors Chain of Office prior to him joining the Mayor on the dais for the remainder of the meeting.

The Mayor then invited all members to join him in welcoming and congratulating Councillor Hack on his appointment as Deputy Mayor.

Members then joined the Mayor in a round of applause welcoming the new Deputy Mayor.

(ii)      Remembrance Sunday

The Mayor then moved on to pay tribute to all those who had lost their lives in conflicts around the world.  As part of the tributes, the Mayor advised he had been honoured to attend the borough remembrance service at Barham Park, which he was pleased to report had been so well attended.  He felt the service had been an opportunity to remind everyone about the importance of peace and harmony and need to work towards a future without conflict.

(iii)      Mayoral events attended

The Mayor then took the opportunity to provide a brief summary on the range of Mayoral engagements he had attended since the previous Council meeting.  This had included numerous events to celebrate Black History Month as well as a visit to HMS Belfast where the Windrush anchor flag had been raised celebrating Caribbean hero’s.  In addition, he was pleased to have been able to attend several Diwali celebrations including a visit to Neasden Temple for their firework display.

(iv)     Petitions

As a final announcement, the Mayor referred members to the list of current petitions tabled at the meeting, in accordance with Standing Orders which also detailed the action being taken to deal with them.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor made the following announcements:

(i)     999 Emergency Services Flag Raising

The Mayor began his announcements by paying tribute to all those who worked and volunteered across the emergency services.

In order to recognise and celebrate their dedication and contribution he advised he was honoured to have hosted a flag raising ceremony for Emergency Services Day on the 9 September 24 which had also commemorated over 7,500 members of the UK emergency services who had tragically lost their lives in the line of duty over the last 200 years.

(ii)       Death of Bishop Ann Roberts

The Mayor advised it was with much sadness he had to inform members about the recent death of Bishop Ann Roberts.

In paying tribute to Bishop Ann Roberts, the Mayor recognised the vital role she had played within local communities across Brent, including having started the Young Mum’s project, now known as Brent Family Support, over 47 years ago.  In acknowledging her tireless work and effort to support young mothers and disadvantaged families the Mayor highlighted how much she would be missed and on behalf of the London Borough of Brent, ended by offering heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Bishop Ann Roberts.

Before moving on, all members were asked to join the Mayor in observing a minutes silence in memoryof Bishop Ann Roberts.

All present at the meeting then stood to join the Mayor in observing a minutes silence.

(iii)    Petitions

As a final announcement, the Mayor referred members to the list of current petitions tabled at the meeting, in accordance with Standing Orders which also detailed the action being taken to deal with them.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor made the following announcements:

(i)     Queens Park By-Election result

The Mayor began his announcements by congratulating and welcoming Lesley Smith as the newly elected councillor for Queens Park ward, following the outcome of a by-election held on Thursday 4 July 2024.

The opportunity was also taken to formally thank the Chief Executive and all other staff involved in the successful delivery of not only the by-election but also the Parliamentary elections held at the same time, recognising the enormous amount of effort to organise both events in such a short timescale.

(ii)    Kings Birthday Honours List

On behalf of both himself and the Council, the Mayor asked all members to join him in congratulating all those with a connection to Brent who had received an honour in the Kings 2024 Birthday Honours list.

(iii)    London Youth Games

In concluding his announcements, the Mayor took the opportunity to congratulate Brent Schools Girls FA for making history by winning the girls London Youth Games competition for the first time.

The team from Brent had comprised of girls from all over the borough and had defeated several other boroughs on their way to the final with the squad looking forward to visiting the Civic Centre in order to receive certificates and celebrate their historic victory.  Recognising the achievement, the Mayor also thanked the coaches and other volunteers involved for their efforts and dedication in support of the team.

(iv)   Petitions

As a final announcement, the Mayor referred members to the list of current petitions tabled at the meeting, in accordance with Standing Orders which also detailed the action being taken to deal with them.