Agenda item
Mayor's announcements (including any petitions received)
Minutes:
The Mayor wished everyone a Happy New Year, and congratulated those people living in the Borough who were honoured in the New Year’s Honours list. He made specific mention of Mr Norman Mitchell - founder, chair and volunteer of the West Indian Senior Citizens Organisation - for being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for ‘Services to Older People in London’.
The Mayor reported on London’s New Year’s Day Parade, which despite the weather, was a fantastic event attended by nearly half a million people. The Borough was awarded 5th place in the parade and the prize of £3,000 had gone to his charity. A formal presentation would be taking place sometime in March.
The Mayor congratulated Councillors Ruth Moher, Jim Moher and Mitchell Murray who, like himself, had recently become grandparents.
The Mayor reminded colleagues of the Brent Holocaust Memorial taking place on 27 January, 6-8 pm at the Civic Centre. This was an opportunity to remember those who lost their lives during the Holocaust and those affected by genocide all over the world. It was a non-faith event which was open to all to attend. The national theme for this year was the forced "journeys" that people had to make to escape fear, persecution or death. The Mayor added that everyone could play a part in creating a safe environment and do what they could to get to know and support their communities.
The Mayor stated that everyone would be aware that former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela had passed away on 5 December 2013. The Mayor read to the meeting a resolution honouring Nelson Mandela, which Councillor Bacchus moved.
The Mayor gave an update on his charity work:
- he thanked people for supporting his Christmas Party on 13 December in the Grand Hall. The turnout had been fantastic and £1,115 was raised from the raffle on the night
- he was running in the London Marathon on 13 April and was in the process of setting up a ‘Just Giving’ account and would appreciate everyone’s support
- his end of year party would take place on Friday 9 May
- his Thanksgiving Service would take place on Sunday 1 June at St Catherine’s Church
- various events were in the process of being organised.
The Mayor stated that in accordance with Standing Orders a list of current petitions showing progress on dealing with them had been circulated around the chamber.
RESOLVED:
(i) that Brent Council affirms that Nelson Mandela was the inspirational figure of our age; he taught us the true meaning of courage, determination, and reconciliation; his magnanimity and strength of spirit will inspire for generations to come;
(ii) that the Council pays tribute to the many thousands of people – in South Africa and across the world – who supported and participated in the campaign against Apartheid; it was noteworthy that Mandela regarded the UK as the second headquarters of the movement against the evil regime; and that Brent has an especially proud history of anti-Apartheid activity, culminating in 1988’s ‘Free Mandela’ concert at Wembley Stadium and in his visit to the borough in 1990;
(iii) that the Council offers its deepest thanks and appreciation to those Brent residents who worked resolutely over the course of many years to bring Apartheid to an end and played a part in bringing about a truly democratic South Africa with Mandela as its President;
(iv) that the Council recognises the huge impact Nelson Mandela's life had on the borough and on its people, and councillors from all parties were honoured last year to award the great man the Freedom of the Borough on behalf of Brent residents.
At the end of the meeting the Mayor drew attention to a UK single from a local group called Clean Bandits that had been recorded at the South Kilburn studios and had reached number one in the charts. On behalf of the Council he congratulated all those involved with the recording.