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 Councillor Hack as the outgoing Mayor along with all co-opted and other independent members serving on the Council’s committees.

Councillor Muhammed Butt in once again congratulating Councillor Agha on his appointment as Mayor, began by recognising the honour in serving as First Citizen of the Borough and in being able to advocate and serve as a champion for Brent, which were roles he felt Councillor Hack had worked hard to fulfil during his time as Mayor.  Recognising the energy, dignity, dedication and commitment demonstrated by Councillor Hack in serving the people of Brent during his time as Mayor, the Leader praised Councillor Hack for his warmth, good humour and the valued contribution made in representing the borough during his Mayoralty highlighting his efforts in seeking to bring all communities together as a visible and enthusiastic ambassador and in support of numerous community organisations and local causes with these efforts, he advised, being appreciated by all members.  In ending therefore hoped Councillor Hack would take pride in all he achieved during his Mayoralty.

Moving on, Councillor Butt then took 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 and in terms of strengthening the quality, transparency and accountability of work being undertaken.  In passing on his thanks, he 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 related bodies.  Recognising the pressures and challenges which local government continued to face, he ended by thanking all of the co-opted and Independent members for the welcome contribution they continued to make to the good governance of Brent.

The Mayor then invited comments from other members in recognition of the role undertaken by Councillor Hack during his time as Mayor.

In response, Councillors Kansagra, Grahl, Kelcher, H.Patel, Clinton, Georgiou, Dar, P.Ahmed, Johnson, Maurice , Mahmood, Thomas and finally Councillor De Souza all spoke to congratulate the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor on their appointment and thank Councillor Hack as outgoing Mayor, recognising the commitment, leadership, service and compassion demonstrated in undertaking his civic role.  Reflecting on his appointment as the youngest Mayor of Brent, members were keen to commend Councillor Hack on his enthusiasm, professionalism and dedication in seeking to represents Brent’s communities and also for the fair, effective and impartial way in which he had presided over Full Council meetings with such confidence.

Reference was also made to the extensive programme of civic engagements attended by Councillor Hack during his term as Mayor across the borough, with members keen to acknowledge his visibility within local communities, willingness to engage with residents from all backgrounds and his commitment to promoting Brent both within and beyond the borough.  His strong connection with the Irish community and support of the Brent Irish Advisory Service were also highlighted, with members commending the extensive efforts made in relation to his charitable fundraising activity in support of the Brent Irish Advisory Service as his nominated charity and significant contribution this would make to the organisation and the local communities it served.

Members were also keen, in reflecting on his achievements during his year in office, to acknowledge Councillor Hack’s accessibility and responsiveness to local residents and continuing commitment to local issues despite the demands of his mayoral duties, with reference made to his popularity within Brondesbury Park and surrounding wards and the high regard in which he was held by residents across the borough.  Tributes were also paid to Councillor Hack’s support for a wide range of community groups and organisations, which members noted had included him attending a large number of events celebrating Brent’s diverse communities, including Irish, Caribbean and other cultural groups, as well as his engagement with schools, voluntary organisations and disability groups, with the approach felt to have reflected Brent’s diversity and strong relationships between communities across the borough.

Reflecting on his year in officer, members were also keen to recognise Councillor Hack’s positive impact as a role model for young people noting that as Brent’s youngest Mayor, he had demonstrated what could be achieved through hard work, dedication and public service.  The commitment demonstrated to causes including food poverty and justice, community support and youth engagement were also praised, with members welcoming his continued contribution on these issues as he returned to his role as a ward councillor.

In concluding their remarks, Members once again thanked Councillor Hack for his service as Brent’s First Citizen and wished him well for the future.  Appreciation was expressed for his friendship, commitment and contribution to the borough during his mayoral year with members also looking forward to his return to active participation in Council business as a ward councillor.

As part of the above contributions Councillor Clinton took the opportunity, whilst expressing his appreciation to the outgoing Mayor, to also reflect on concerns relating to public confidence in politics following the outcome of the recent local election with reference made to increasing levels of voter dissatisfaction, disengagement and a perceived loss of faith in democratic institutions which he felt also need to be considered in celebrating and welcoming the new Mayor.  Citing recent local election results from a number of local authorities, these concerns were focused around the ability of the current electoral system to produce outcomes where the proportion of seats won accurately reflected the proportion of votes received, including within Brent, with this he felt highlighting questions about democratic legitimacy and representation.  Whilst advocating for reform of the national electoral system, Councillor Clinton also hoped members would reflect on the level of electoral support received by individual parties now represented on the Council prior to any decision being made later in the meeting regarding council leadership and committee appointments for the forthcoming four-year term of the Administration with it hoped, given the composition of the Council, that all of the represented political groups would seek to work collaboratively on a cross party basis rather than through a minority administration relying on the support of other groups in exchange for specific concessions.

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

Councillor Hack, 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 privilege and honour in being able to serve the borough, the opportunity was taken to thank his friend and former colleague Orleen Hylton as well as the residents of Brent for the trust placed in him during his mayoral year with the opportunities to engage with residents, communities and local organisations across Brent particularly valued.

Highlighting a number of memorable engagements during the year, Councillor Hack made specific reference to receiving warm wishes from former Irish President Michael D. Higgins as well as meeting current President Catherine Connolly and being able to welcome Their Majesties The King and Queen to Brent on a visit to Neasden Temple in addition to attending more than 400 events across the borough. These experiences were ones Councillor Hack stated he would also cherish and would remain among the most memorable aspects of his mayoralty.

Expressing his appreciation for the support and hospitality extended to both himself and his consort throughout the year, Councillor Hack was also keen to commend the warmth, compassion, kindness and generosity shown by residents, other members, community groups and volunteers and to acknowledge the significant contribution made by so many individuals and local organisations to community life in Brent.

Reflecting on the diversity of Brent and the opportunities he had been given to engage with communities from a wide range of backgrounds and faiths, Councillor Hack also highlighted his participation in various cultural and religious celebrations across the borough as well as community gatherings, which he stated had reinforced his sense of belonging within Brent and had highlighted the borough's strength as a diverse and inclusive community.

The  Mayor also took the opportunity to pay specific tribute to his consort, Fernando Teles, describing his journey to the United Kingdom from Brazil and his strong affinity with Brent advising members that the warmth and hospitality received as part of their shared experience throughout his mayoral year had further strengthened their appreciation of the borough and its residents.

Turning to his fundraising activity, Councillor Hack advised he was proud to be able to confirm that the Mayoral Appeal had raised in excess of £92,000 in support of his nominated charity, the Brent Irish Advisory Service. He noted that this represented the highest amount ever raised through a Mayoral Appeal in Brent's history and was delighted at the impact this would have in supporting the continuation of welfare and advice services for members of the Irish community and other residents across north-west London, with all members thanked for their support over his mayoral year.

In concluding his remarks, Councillor Hack ended by reflecting on the challenges facing the borough but expressed confidence in the strength, resilience and community spirit of Brent's residents and the character of the borough in terms of the level of mutual support, inclusion and respect for others.  In thanking Councillor Butt for his support during his time in office, as Leader of the Council, he hoped all residents would continue working together with openness, compassion and shared purpose, emphasising that Brent's greatest strength remained its people and the collective spirit of its communities.  As a final comment, he also took the opportunity to wish Councillor Agha all the best for his coming year as Mayor, which he was sure he would serve with distinction.

The Mayor thanked Councillor Hack for his comments and 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.