Agenda item

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

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

Councillor Muhammed Butt in once again congratulating Councillor Hack on his appointment as Mayor then moved 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 his thanks, he 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, he 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 the Leader of the Council to formally propose a vote of thanks for the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Dar.  In doing so, Councillor Muhammed Butt began 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 Dar had worked hard to fulfil during his time as Mayor.  Recognising the integrity, dedication, compassion and commitment demonstrated by Councillor Dar in serving the people of Brent during his time as Mayor, the Leader praised Councillor Dar for his warmth and the valued contribution made in representing 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.

In response, Councillors Hirani, Maurice, Grahl, Lorber, Kabir, Choudry, Afzal. Saqib Butt, Agha, Clinton, Kennelly and finally Councillor Hylton all spoke to congratulate the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor on their appointment and thank Councillor Dar as outgoing Mayor for the dedication, compassion and commitment demonstrated in undertaking his civic role.  Recognising his appointment as the youngest Mayor of Brent, members were keen to commend Councillor Hack on the dedication and commitment he had already displayed in seeking to stand against social injustice and challenge inequalities being experienced by local communities across the borough, which it was felt would continue to be demonstrated during his time as Mayor.

The Mayor then invited Councillor Dar to return thanks and review his time in office.

Councillor Dar, 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 Kim Wright, as Chief Executive, the Leader of the Council, Amira Nassr and Fatema Limbada within Democratic Services along with Kim Gordan & Brian Kennedy in the Mayor’s Office, which had been much valued.  The opportunity was also taken to thank Councillor Grahl for her specific support as fellow Cricklewood and Mapesbury ward councillor as well as the management committee of the Pakistan Community Centre for their work whilst his attention had been focussed on Mayoral duties over the past year.

Reflecting on his time in office, Councillor Dar highlighted what he regarded as the privilege in being able to attend such a vast range of official community events (totalling nearly 1,100) which had involved him being able to meet so many inspiring, talented and generous local individuals, all of whom, he advised, had made him proud to call Brent home.  Thanking everyone for the warmth in which he had been welcomed and received, Councillor Dar felt this represented the true heart of the borough reflecting on the diversity, unity and deep compassion he had had the opportunity to experience during his time in office.

Moving on to review his fundraising activities over the year, Councillor Dar reminded members of his pledge to support and raise the profile of the Pakistan Community Centre as his chosen charity during his year in office.  As part of his fundraising activities he had welcomed the opportunity to highlight the important work and support the organisation provided to some of the most vulnerable people in the borough which he reminded members included the provision of food banks, homeless support, care for the elderly, disability services for children, health initiatives as well as community advice surgeries all being delivered as part of the centre’s foundational work dating back to 1965.  In thanking the community elders who had provided the platform to serve, Councillor Dar offered a blessing to the souls of those who had passed.  All members then joined Councillor Dar in a round of applause to recognise the work undertaken by the Centre and all those who had supported his fundraising activities.

Highlighting the privilege he felt at having been able to serve as Mayor, Councillor Dar ended by advising how much he had enjoyed his time in office also taking the opportunity to thank his wife (as Mayoress) and family for their patience and support along with members, council staff, local community groups and residents for their kindness and service.  In recognising the honour in being able to serve Brent thanks were also expressed to Councillor Hack for his support as Deputy Mayor and to wish him and his family, along with Councillor Fraser as his deputy, all the best for his coming year as Mayor which he was sure he would serve with distinction.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Dar for his comments and highlighted how much he had enjoyed working with him during his time as Mayor.  He ended by wishing him 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.

Prior to moving on to deal with the remaining items on the agenda, the Mayor advised that the presentation of the Councillor Development Charter Plus Award, which had initially been scheduled for the meeting would now be undertaken as part of the Mayor’s Announcements at the next Full Council meeting in July.