To receive a report from the Mayor on civic matters which have arisen since the last meeting or events which may be occurring in the near future.
To give notice of any variation to the items listed in the Forward Plan and/or items accepted as “Urgent Business”.
(No separate report / oral update)
Minutes:
The Mayor’s communications and announcements were considered under the following headings:
a) Mayor’s Announcements
The Mayor advised that, since the last meeting of the Council, he had attended various functions, including: the Walkwood Middle School production of “Score”, an inaugural Professorial lecture at Worcester University, an assembly at Tenacres First School, the Good Friday Walk of Witness, the Worcester City Council end of term of office supper, a production of “School for Scandal” at Stratford, a St George’s Day Parade at St Stephen’s Church, his own Variety Spectacular at the Palace Theatre and he had DJ’d a slot on Kingfisher FM.
The Mayor thanked Councillor Banks for stepping in to take on engagements he had been unable to attend and for joining him at others.
b) Forthcoming events
The Mayor advised that forthcoming events included the Redditch Roadway Arts Gallery event, the Wychavon St George’s Day Celebration, the Council’s own St George’s Day Celebrations outside St Stephen’s Church, Worcestershire County Council’s Civic Service, the visit of a party from Auxerre and a Charity Coffee Morning at the Arrow Valley Countryside Centre.
c) Departing Members
The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, paid tribute to those Councillors who were standing down at the forthcoming elections, these being Councillors Colin MacMillan, Phil Mould and David Smith. Special mention was made of Councillor Mould who had served on the Council for almost a quarter of a century and in many senior positions, including three years as Leader of the Council.
RESOLVED that
a formal vote of thanks to those Members standing down at the forthcoming elections be recorded.
d) Kingfisher FM
Further to his announcement that he had DJ’d a slot on Kingfisher FM, the Mayor was fulsome in his praise of this community, not-for-profit radio station. Mr Phil Dent attended the meeting to accept a Redditch Borough Crest on behalf of his colleagues at the station.
The Mayor informed the meeting of the excellent work that Kingfisher FM was undertaking, broadcasting around the clock over the internet and supporting numerous local events such as the Mercian Regiment parade, the visit by the Countess of Wessex and the Variety Spectacular at the Palace Theatre. The station had recently received a 28 day licence from Ofcom as part of the process for gaining a full licence.
Members congratulated Mr Dent and his colleagues for their achievement in establishing this enterprising community asset.
e) Additional matters
During consideration of the Mayor’s announcements, he gave permission to a number of Members to make further announcements in relation to matters not listed on the agenda, namely:
f) Relocation of central Government departments
The Leader reported that, in view of recent announcements regarding the decentralisation of Government departments from London, the Council had written to the Justice Minister inviting the Government to relocate the Ministry of Justice to Redditch.
g) Provision of educational opportunities for aphasia sufferers
The Leader informed the Council of a threat to the provision of educational opportunities for residents of the County who suffered from aphasia as a result of cuts to funding for further education. A letter had been received from Wychavon District Council requesting that other Councils write to South WorcestershireCollege asking that they reconsider the withdrawal of funding from these courses and the consequent loss of service to those with aphasia.
h) Urgent Business
The Mayor advised that he had not accepted any items of Urgent Business.