Agenda item - Mayor's Communications.

80.1         The Mayor asked the Council to stand for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for the people of Japan who had lost thousands of lives as a result of the recent earthquake and tsunami. 

80.2         Following the minute’s silence, the Mayor noted that books of condolence had been placed in Brighton and Hove Town Halls and the Jubilee Library.

80.3         The Mayor then stated that he was very pleased to invite the Leader of the Council, Councillor Mears, to come forward and receive the Local Government Improvement and Development Diversity Peer Challenge award for reaching the Excellent Level of the Equality Framework for Local Government on behalf of the Council;

80.4         The Mayor sated that he was very pleased to welcome Mr Bill Gandey, Chair of the Bevendean LAT, to the council meeting.  The project was entered into the Brighton and Hove Empowerment Awards and achieved first place.  As a result the group were put forward to the regional awards through the South East Regional Empowerment Partnership. Following an event in London, the group were awarded second prize and presented with a cheque for £3,000.

            The Mayor also noted that the group had recently been informed that it had won no less than the Prime Minister’s Big Society Award. This prestigious award was given to the community project most demonstrating and achieving the vision of the Big Society – that is; local people volunteering to take action on the issues that matter to them.  The Mayor then invited Mr Gandey to come forward and receive the award.

80.5         The Mayor reminded councillors that the Brighton Marathon was due to take place on Sunday 10^th April and wished all those taking part every success and asked others to support the runners along the course.

80.6         The Mayor then informed councillors of various fund-raising events on the 3^rd and 14^th April and 6^th May in support of the mayoral charities and encouraged everyone to attend.

80.7         The Mayor finally stated that he wished to offer the Council’s thanks and appreciation for their service to the council and the city to Councillors Drake, Fryer, Older, Steedman, Wakefield-Jarrett and Wrighton, who were not standing for re-election in the forthcoming May elections.