Agenda item - Mayor's Communications.

31.1       The Mayor asked the Council to stand and hold a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for the death of ex-Councillor Eileen Jakes, who served on Brighton Borough Council from 1976-1983.

31.2       Following the minute’s silence the Mayor announced that he was pleased to welcome Chris Fossey to the meeting, who had recently retired from the council as its Electoral Services Officer and to offer the Council’s thanks for his services to Brighton and Hove.  He noted that Chris had worked in local government for over 35 years, and wished to add his personal thanks for the support and advice he had been given during his own time as a councillor.  He then invited Chris to come forward and receive a gift and to address the council.

31.3       Mr Fossey thanked the Council for his presentation and stated that he had enjoyed working for the authority and was now looking forward to new challenges, albeit that he would continue to keep an eye on council matters.

31.4       The Mayor thanked Mr Fossey for attending and stated that he wished to invite Councillor Theobald to come forward to receive a number of awards on behalf of the Council.  The awards were:-

          The Claudia Flanders Memorial Ward for Accessibility, Bus Industry Awards;

          The Royal town Planning Institute SE Region Award in the Sustainable Communities category; and

          The Academy of Urbanism ‘Great Place’ Finalist nomination for the North Laine.

31.5       Councillor Theobald thanked the Mayor and offered is congratulations to the officers concerned for each of the awards.

31.6       The Mayor then invited Councillor Ken Norman to come forward and receive a certificate awarded to the Council by the World Health Organisation as a mark of recognition for the council’s commitment and contribution to the World Health Authorities European Healthy Cities Network 2003-2008.

31.7       The Mayor stated that he was delighted to invite Caroline Banfield and Mark Wall from Democratic Services to come forward and receive the Charter for Member Development, awarded to the Council by South-East Employers.  He noted that the success in gaining the Charter had been helped by the tremendous support and service Members received from the Democratic Services Team.