Agenda item

a)    The Mayor

The Mayor gave a summary of some of the events she had attended since the previous meeting including:

·         West Midlands Ambulance Service Long Service and Excellence Awards

·         St Leonard’s Church Snowdrop Weekend

·         Mayor’s Charity Skittle Evening

·         Kingfisher Centre Chinese New Year Celebrations

·         Special Olympics Redditch Swimming Gala

·         Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth

The Mayor also thanked Councillor Pattie Hill, the Deputy Mayor for standing in for her on those occasions when she had been unable to attend an event.

The Mayor drew Members attention to the artwork displayed around the Council Chamber and explained that she had specifically asked for this to be brought before the Council as she had recently attended the Gallery and presentation event for Roadway Arts Project.  This was an initiative which promoted the use of public space for art as a deterrent for anti-social behaviour and encouraged use of facilities.  The first mural had been painted in 2007 and 9 pieces of artwork had been funded in the past year.  The Mayor went on to say that she had been so impressed with the artwork that she wanted to take the opportunity to thank those involved.  Special thanks were given to James Cooper and his team at the Council who were in attendance and it was also noted that apologies from the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia and County Councillor John Smith had been received.

The Mayor also took the opportunity to remind Members to speak clearly and use microphones so that all those present were able to hearing the proceedings.

b)    The Leaders Announcements

The Leader explained that he had missed the previous Council meeting due to being in London meeting the Secretary of State in respect of the Alexandra Hospital problems, which had dominated his time since that meeting. He continued to press for the release of the Senate report and for a response as to why this had not been published as originally promised.  It was understood that this would not be released until after the elections.  He continued to raise concerns over the hospital and has sent out several press releases, met with the Save the Alex campaign members, the local MP and Leaders of both Bromsgrove and Stratford councils.

The Leader had also attended the Chinese New Year Celebrations in the Kingfisher Centre, the LGBT History month event in the Library and the Redditch Special Olympics Swimming Gala.

The Leader took the opportunity to inform Members that the Council was now a member of the ~Dementia Action Alliance and was one of only 6 council in the West Midlands that had achieved this status.  Special thanks were given to Lynn Jones for her efforts in helping to make the Council dementia friendly and it was agreed a letter of thanks would be sent to her.

The Leader went on to thank a number of Members who wold be standing down at the May election, for their hard work and loyal service to the Council.  Those Members were Councillor Michael Braley (who had already stood down), Councillors Carole Gandy, Phil Mould, Andrew Brazier and Rebecca Blake.

Councillor Gandy took the opportunity to thank all Members for their support over the years and said she had thoroughly enjoyed her time at the Council.  There were a number of events which she was particularly proud of and these included the Abbey Stadium Leisure Centre, the innovative way in which the pool at the Leisure Centre was heated by the crematorium and the roundabout by the Alexandra Hospital/Woodrow Drive entrance.  She praised fellow councillors for their hard work and thanked all officers for their assistance and support, giving particular reference to Sue Hanley, the Deputy Chief Executive and Kevin Dicks, the Chief Executive.

Councillors Brandon Clayton, David Bush, Gay Hopkins, Mark Shurmer and Andrew Fry also paid tribute to those Members that were standing down and thanked them for their support and service to the Council.  Particular reference was made to Councillor Gandy for her long service and time as Leader.

c)    Chief Executive’s Announcements

The Chief Executive reminded Members that the Council was no in the pre-election period and highlighted that he had received a number of questions around purdah.  He had therefore arranged for Members to receive an electronic copy of an LGA booklet which provided guidance on what was appropriate during this period.  Hard copies of this booklet would also be placed in Group rooms.