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 with contributions from Councillors M.Butt, Kansagra, Kabir, Mahmood, Kennelly, Moeen, Gbajumo, Hack, Miller, S.Butt, Nerva, Johnson, Choudry and Dixon.

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 Dar on his appointment as Mayor before moving on 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 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 challenges which local government continued to face, 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 Hylton.  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 Hylton had worked hard to fulfil during her time as Mayor.  Recognising her passion and commitment to the people of Brent and the range of local community organisations and events she had supported, the Leader praised Councillor Hylton for her efforts and for the valued contribution made in representing the borough during her 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, which he hoped they would take full advantage of in seeking to work with the varied communities across the borough.  He then moved on to thank Councillor Hylton, as the outgoing Mayor, for the way she had conducted herself in her civic role as well as for the way she had chaired the Council meetings and wished her well on her return to ordinary ward councillor duties.

Following on, Councillor Kabir also took the opportunity to welcome and congratulate the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor on their appointment before moving on to commend Councillor Hylton for the dignity, friendliness dedication and passion she had demonstrated in supporting so many local community events during her time as Mayor, which she felt sure had left a lasting impression on all those involved.

Councillor Mahmood also took the opportunity to thank and commend Councillor Hylton for a successful year in office, recognising the extent of work undertaken to engage with local community organisations across the borough and authority displayed in fulfilling her role.  Recognising the honour in being elected to serve as Mayor, he also congratulated Councillor Dar on his appointment referring to his experience in community engagement and support, which he was confident would continue to be utilised to support residents across the borough and in raising the profile of Brent whilst also respecting the legacy of those elders within the community who had led the way in terms of mentoring and supporting the development of so much community engagement.

Councillor Kennelly in congratulating the Mayor and Deputy Mayor on their appointment also spoke to praise and recognise the valuable work undertaken by Councillor Hylton during her time as Mayor not only in representing the borough as a whole but also specifically in support of Preston Community Library and the wider local community and to welcome her back in her role as ward councillor.

Councillor Moeen then spoke and having congratulated and welcomed the newly appointed Mayor & Deputy Mayor, also paid tribute to Councillor Hylton for the work undertaken to support local community groups highlighting the privilege in being able to work so closely with her during her year in office.

Councillor Gbajumo also took the opportunity, having congratulated the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor on their appointment, to pay tribute to Councillor Hylton for the passion, strength and compassion demonstrated in the tireless work undertaken to support events (particularly across her ward) aimed at uniting and supporting local communities.

The comments made in tribute to Councillor Hylton were also echoed by Councillor Hack who took the opportunity (speaking as a friend and close associate) to highlight her strength of character and commitment in seeking to promote the core values of community and society in her role as Mayor and support as many local events and organisations as possible.

In thanking Councillor Hylton for the effort she had made to support so many local community events during her time in office and supporting the comments previously made, Councillor Miller also took the opportunity to welcome and congratulate Councillor Dar on his appointment highlighting the role he had played as an initial mentor to him in seeking to become a local councillor and community representative.

Councillor S.Butt in thanking and commending Councillor Hylton for the way she had conducted herself as Mayor during her time in office also spoke to congratulate Councillor Dar on his appointment, recognising the close link between previous generations of his and the new Mayor’s family along with his dedication and commitment to public and community service, which he wished him all the best in continuing during his time in office.

As a further contribution and in reflecting on previous comments made Councillor Nerva, in recognising the commitment displayed to local communities and residents across the borough as a whole, thanked Councillor Hylton for the inclusive nature of the approach she had adopted which he felt had been particularly important during such a challenging time internationally and represented the hallmark of a strong Mayoralty.

Councillor Johnson also took the opportunity to congratulate the new Mayor & Deputy Mayor on their appointment before congratulating Councillor Hylton on her year in office. In commending Councillor Hylton for the wide range of work and engagements undertaken over the course of the year he also felt it was important to recognise how proud her late mother and brother would have been of her achievements, which he had no doubt she would continue to deliver as she stepped back into her role as ward councillor.

Continuing the tributes to Councillor Hylton on her achievements as Mayor, Councillor Choudry also took the opportunity to congratulate Councillor Dar on his appointment recognising his commitment to Brent and also the support provided to him personally as a new councillor.

In concluding the tributes, Councillor Dixon also took the opportunity to thank Councillor Hylton for her hard work as Mayor recognising and supporting the comments already made and in ending also took the opportunity to congratulate Councillor Dar as a colleague and friend on his appointment.  Referring to his kindness, knowledge and commitment (particularly in his efforts to support work with young offenders) she was sure these would continue to be demonstrated during his year in office and in seeking to represent local communities across the borough which she advised she looked forward to supporting him on.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Hylton to return thanks and review her time in office.

Councillor Hylton, in returning thanks, began by taking a moment to remember a well known local resident Mr Norman Mitchell, who she advised had sadly passed away recently at the age of 103.  In reflecting on his life and contribution to the borough, Councillor Hylton advised that she had personally known Mr Mitchell for many years, recalling the voluntary work he had undertaken supported by other residents, including her late mother, for which he had also been recognised with the award of an MBE.  Referring to his continual smile and the legacy he had created, Councillor Hylton took the opportunity, on behalf of the Council, to offer her sincere condolences to Mr Mitchell’s family and friends and invited all members to join her in observing a period of silence in memory and honour of Mr Norman Mitchell.

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

Moving on to review her time in office, Councillor Hylton began by expressing her 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 Kim Wright, as Chief Executive, the Leader of the Council, Fatema Limbada within Democratic Services and Kim Gordan & Brian Kennedy in the Mayor’s Office, which had been much valued.  The opportunity was also taken to thank Councillor Kennelly for his specific support as fellow Preston ward councillor whilst her attention had been focussed on Mayoral duties over the past year.

Reflecting on her time in office, Councillor Hylton highlighted the vast range of events she had been fortunate to attend (totalling 351) which had involved her being able to meet so many inspiring, talented and generous local individuals, all of whom, she advised, had made her proud to represent and live in Brent with a specific highlight having been the first joint St Patrick’s Day celebration arranged between the Irish and Nigerian communities across the borough.  Thanking everyone for the warmth in which she had been welcomed and received, Councillor Hylton them moved on to review her fundraising activities over the year, reminding members of the two charities she had pledged to support and raise the profile of during her time in office.  These had been PILAS and Preston Community Library, for which she had been pleased to highlight the important work and support each organisation provided to some of the most vulnerable people in the borough as part of her fundraising activities.  Whilst the final sum was still to be confirmed, Councillor Hylton advised she was delighted to be able to inform members that as a result of the support received in her various fundraising activities over £22,000 had been raised during her time as Mayor to support the ongoing work of both charities. All members then joined Councillor Hylton in a round of applause to recognise the work undertaken by each organisation and all those who had supported the fundraising activities.

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

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