To receive announcements from:
a) The Mayor
b) Leader of the Council
c) Members of the Cabinet
d) Chair of Committees
e) Head of Paid Service
Minutes:
Mayor
18.1 The Mayor presented certificates to the following Councillors in recognition of their long service:
· Councillor Paul James (20 years)
· Councillor Kevin Stephens (20 years)
· Councillor Jeremy Hilton (21 years)
· Former Councillor Phil McLellan (22 years)
· Former Councillor Mary Smith (22 years)
· Councillor Pam Tracey (24 years)
The Mayor noted that the only serving Councillor who had served for longer that Councillor Tracey was Councillor Andrew Gravells (31 years) and that he had previously received a certificate.
Leader of the Council
18.2 On behalf of the Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor James (Leader of the Council) reported that 44.34% of waste collected in June had been recycled, along with 5% of waste deposited at Hempsted Household Recycling Centre. 271 tonnes of food waste had also been recycled, which was 45% higher than in June 2015. He praised both staff and residents for achieving such high rates.
18.3 Councillor James announced that the Council had received a letter from Rory Stewart MP, the former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to congratulate all those involved in the Clean for the Queen initiative ahead of the Queen’s 90th Birthday celebrations. He advised that the letter would be circulated to all Members.
Cabinet Members
18.4 Councillor Dallimore (Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods) highlighted the launch of the Best Bar None Awards 2016 and noted the Council’s success in the previous year. She asked Members to encourage community pubs in their wards to put themselves forward in the dedicated new category and noted that Members may wish to use their Councillors’ Community Fund to pay the £50 entrance fee.
18.5 Councillor Organ (Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning) highlighted the 150th anniversary of Fielding and Platt and summarised the important contributions they had made to engineering and the life of the City.
18.6 Councillor Organ acknowledged the upcoming Retro Festival on 27 August 2016 and encouraged all Members to attend.
18.7 Councillor Organ announced that Barnwood Park and Arboretum and Robinswood Hill Country Park had been awarded Green Flag status and congratulated all those involved.
18.8 Councillor Noakes (Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure) reminded those Members attending the Carnival on 23 July 2016 that a bus would transport Members from the Three Choirs Opening Ceremony.