Agenda item

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 mourn and support all those who had been impacted with the Mayor offering his heartfelt condolences to the families directly affected recognising the way that Brent and India were bound by ties of faith, friendship, and shared humanity.

The Mayor advised that he had also been honoured to have joined two local residents (Martha as a proud Jewish resident in Kingsbury and Esson as a devout and proud resident of Jamaican heritage in Willesden) to celebrate their 100^th birthdays with them.  The opportunity was also taken to wish all residents who had recently celebrated Eid-Al Adha joy, peace, and love, with the Mayor advising that he had been touched following a visit to Sufra’s Eid Community Meal in order to witness food being shared between Muslims and non-Muslims demonstrating true unity and offering what he felt was a powerful reminder of the true meaning of Eid in being able to come together in compassion and kindness.

The Mayor advised he had also been pleased to join the recent Windrush Day celebrations at the Learie Constantine Centre to honour the powerful legacy of the Windrush Generation and recognise the courage and resilience along with  immeasurable contribution made by the Caribbean community not only within Brent but the country as a whole.  Highlighting that the Willesden Temple was marking its 50th anniversary the Mayor advised he had also been honoured to accept an official invitation from the local Mandir to the Festival of Golden Hearts representing the borough. Being able to welcome devotees to the Mayor’s Parlour to rekindle the light, as they looked ahead to the temple’s centenary was also highlighted as a special moment, with the temple recognised as more than a place of worship given its beacon of kindness, peace, and love that had touched so many lives.

The Mayor advised that he had also been proud to host a recent flag raising ceremony to celebrate Pride, reflecting on the history of the movement in terms of liberation and a renewed commitment to protest and progress.  The opportunity was also taken to reaffirm Brent as a borough where the LGBTQ community was also seen, valued, and always welcome in recognition that everyone deserved the freedom to love and live as their true selves.

Turning to other cultural events, the Mayor advised he had also been deeply honoured to have been able to organise an evening of Irish Culture at Katie’s Bar in Neasden recognising not only his own, but Brent’s identity and spirit as having been profoundly shaped by the Irish community, whose culture, history, and resilience.  As Mayor, he advised he had also been privileged to attend the Service of Celebration marking 30 Years of Resilience at Montserrat’s Soufrière Hills Volcano Anniversary.  Members were advised of the fondness in which he held Montserrat, known as the Emerald Island, as the only place outside Ireland where St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated as a national bank holiday providing a reminder of the deep bonds between Irish culture and African-Caribbean heritage, which had been forged through strength and unity over generations.

In terms of upcoming events, the Mayor advised he was also looking forward to hosting an Irish Afternoon Tea Party at the Cricklewood Railway Club.

In ending , the Mayor also took the opportunity to highlight the honour he felt in being able to welcome Brent’s newest citizens in his role hosting the borough’s Citizenship Ceremonies with Brent, he pointed out, proudly standing as a beacon of diversity and inclusion and where individuals from whatever background would always continue to be welcomed.

(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.