To receive any announcements from the Mayor.
Minutes:
Madam Mayor provided Council with an overview of her activities since the last meeting. These included a coffee morning in aid of Ukraine which raised over £2,000, participation in a YMCA Sleep Easy to raise funds to keep young people off the streets and planting a cherry tree in the grounds of the Town Hall to commemorate the Queen’s forthcoming Platinum Jubilee and as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative. Thanks were given to all those who had supported these events with special comment made regarding Charlotte Stockman, Neil Gallen and Councillor Neame for their support of the coffee morning.
Forthcoming events were also highlighted and included the Borough’s Community Centres hosting events to honour the Queen’s 96th birthday on 21 April 2022, a quiz to support Age Concern on 23 April 2022, Madam Mayor’s garden being opened to the public to benefit her chosen charities, a YMCA Curry Night fundraiser on 17 May 2022, and the Big Jubilee Lunch on 5 June 2022 to encourage communities to get to know each other better, with 40 applications received for street parties in the Borough.
Madam Mayor had also attended the final service of Father Andrew Cunnington as vicar at St Matthew’s Church in Redhill. It was highlighted that during his sixteen years of ministry, Father Andrew had set-up the Street Pastors scheme and St Matthew’s Church Foodbank.
Awarding of Past Mayor’s badge
Former Mayor Keith Foreman was recognised by Madam Mayor and the Members of Council for his work as Mayor during the 2019/20 Municipal Year and was awarded with the past Mayor’s badge. Mr Foreman took the opportunity to express his gratitude for the honour and to give his thanks for the support he had received from his Deputy Mayor, Councillor Absalom, the staff in the Mayor’s Office and his wife/consort.
Recognition of Councillors
Madam Mayor and the Members of Council recognised the service of those Councillors who were standing down. Councillor Schofield, the Deputy Leader of the Council, noted that:
· Councillor Lynch had served for 19 years and had been the Chair of the Licensing Committee for much of that time;
· Councillor Horwood had served for 12 years, holding three portfolios during that time, was a regular member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and had proudly been the Deputy Mayor during 2012/13;
· Councillor Philpot had served for four years and had been a member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee including enjoying her membership of the Budget Scrutiny Panel; and
· Councillor Feeney had served for three years and had been a member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Vice Chair of the Audit Committee having successful chaired the Audit Committee on occasion.
All were to receive certificates and shields in recognition of their service.
Madam Mayor also took the opportunity to recognise those Members with over 20 years of service who were named as Councillors Blacker, Bramhall, Harper, and Turner. Thanks were expressed for their hard work in representing the people of the Borough.