Agenda item

To invite a vote of thanks to the outgoing Mayor, in accordance with Standing Order 27(c).

NOTED

(1)       the vote of thanks to the co-opted and independent members serving on the Council’s committees.

(2)      the vote of thanks and tributes paid to the outgoing Mayor.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Mili Patel, as Deputy Leader, to propose a vote of thanks to all co-opted and other members serving on the Council’s committees.

Councillor Mili Patel began by congratulating Councillor Hylton on her appointment as Mayor before moving on to take the opportunity to highlight the valued work of the Council’s co-opted and independent committee members, given the core role they played as critical friends in the Council’s democratic process.  In passing on her thanks, she advised how their independence and objectivity were highly valued and seen as integral to the role of the bodies on which they served including Scrutiny, Audit & Standards and the various health and education bodies.  Recognising the challenging nature of recent times in local government she ended by thanking all of the co-opted and Independent Members for their work in supporting the Council’s democratic processes and drive towards continuous improvement.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) to formally propose a vote of thanks for the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Aden.  In doing so, the Leader began by congratulating the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor on their appointment and by highlighting the honour in serving as First Citizen of the Borough and in being able to advocate and serve as a champion for Brent.  These were roles he felt Councillor Aden had worked hard to fulfil during what had continued to be such challenging times.  Recognising his passion and commitment to the people of Brent and the range of charities he had supported, the Leader praised Councillor Aden for his continued efforts in seeking to raise their profile and for his valued contribution in being such a strong representative of the borough during his Mayoralty, which he advised had been appreciated by all members.

The Mayor then invited comments from other members in recognition of the role undertaken by the outgoing Mayor.

Councillor Kansagra, as Leader of the Conservative Group, in opening the tributes began by taking the opportunity to congratulate the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor on their appointment.  He then moved on to thank Councillor Aden, as the outgoing Mayor, for the way he had conducted himself in his civic role as well as for the way he had chaired the Council meetings and wished him well on his return to ordinary ward councillor duties.

Councillor Mahmood also took the opportunity to welcome and congratulate the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor on their appointment before moving on to commend Councillor Aden for the fairness, dedication, passion and commitment he had demonstrated in fulfilling the role during his time as Mayor.

Following on, Councillor Kelcher also spoke to pay tribute to Councillor Aden for the committed and diligent way in which he had undertaken the role and led the borough as Mayor during such unprecedented times recognising these had involved not only the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations but also her sad passing, official period of mourning and also the coronation of a new Monarch.  As such he praised Councillor Aden for the way he had conducted himself and fulfilled his duties during such a challenging period of time.

Having concluded the tributes, the Mayor then invited Councillor Aden to return thanks and review his time in office.

Councillor Aden, in returning thanks, began by expressing his pride at having been elected as Mayor and being able to serve the people of Brent during the previous year.  Reflecting on the honour in being able to serve the borough, particular thanks were extended to all members for their support along with Carolyn Downs, as former Chief Executive, the Leader of the Council, Natalie Zara and Fatema Limbada within Executive and Member Services and Kim Gordan & Brian Kennedy in the Mayor’s Office, which had been much valued.  The opportunity was also taken to thank Councillors Ethapemi and Knight for their specific support as fellow Stonebridge ward councillors whilst his attention had been focussed on Mayoral duties over the past year.

Reflecting on his time in office, Councillor Aden highlighted the vast range of events he had been fortunate to attend which had involved him being able to meet so many inspiring, talented and generous local individuals, all of whom had made him proud to represent and live in Brent.  In terms of his fundraising activities over the year, Councillor Aden reminded members of the three charities he had pledged to support and raise the profile of during his time in office.  These had been the Jason Roberts Foundation, SUFRA and Hilltop Circle and he had been pleased to be able to highlight the important work and support each organisation provided to some of the most vulnerable people in the borough as part of his fundraising and profile raising activities.  All members then joined Councillor Aden in a round of applause to recognise the work undertaken by each organisation.

Highlighting how much he had enjoyed his time as Mayor, Councillor Aden ended by taking the opportunity to thank all members, council staff, local community groups and residents for their support and to thank Councillor Hylton for her support as Deputy Mayor and to wish her and her family, along with Councillor Dar as her deputy, all the best for the coming year as Mayor.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Aden for his comments and highlighted how much she had enjoyed working with him during his time as Mayor.  She ended by wishing him well for the future and then advised that as this now concluded the ceremonial part of the meeting she would move on to deal with the remainder of the agenda.