To consider Announcements under Procedure Rule 10:
a) Mayor’s Announcements
b) Leader’s Announcements
c) Chief Executive’s Announcements.
(Oral report)
Minutes:
a) Mayor
The Mayor’s communications and announcements were as follows:
i) Former Mayor of the Borough, Joan Tyers
It was with great sadness that the Mayor advised the Council of the death shortly before Christmas of former Councillor and Mayor of the Borough Joan Tyers.
The Mayor paid tribute to former Councillor Tyers and Members of the Council were invited to offer up words they might wish to offer in memory of her and of her services to the Borough.
The Leader of the Council commenced the tributes to former Councillor Tyers, commenting that she had been a very dear friend and would be sadly missed by all who knew her. The Leader of the Minority Group then led other Members in expressing their thoughts on the character and achievements of former Councillor Tyers.
Members observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect and it was subsequently
RESOLVED that
the Council formally place on record its gratitude to former Councillor and Mayor of the Borough, Joan Tyers for her service to the Council and to the community.
ii) Mrs Denise Sunman
The Mayor also formally advised the Council of the sudden and unexpected death earlier in December of Denise Sunman, Democratic Services Officer. The Mayor reported that condolences had been sent to Mrs Sunman’s family.
iii) Mayor’s Announcements
The Mayor advised that, since the last meeting of the Council, he had attended a number of engagements including a performance of Handel’s Messiah by the Redditch Choral Society; Bowood Mews Care Home Christmas lights switch-on; the Home Support Service ‘Christmas Knees Up’; the Churches Together Carols in the Town; the Arrow Valley Brass Band and Walkwood Middle School concert; a coffee morning for Cavell Nurses’ Trust; and a visit to the Alexandra Hospital on Christmas morning.
iii) Forthcoming Engagements
The Mayor advised that forthcoming engagements included the ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ Pantomime with Droitwich Spa Town Council; a Special Olympics Awards Evening at the Town Hall; a music evening at Bromsgrove District Council; the Holocaust Memorial Day event; a gathering at The Old Palace in Worcester to meet the Bishop of Worcester and a Charity Black Country Night Out with Bewdley Town Council.
b) Leader’s Announcements
i) Joint Service Review
The Leader expressed his disappointment at the failure of the Joint Service Review Team to publish the options for the Joint Service Review on 18th December 2012 as intended.
ii) Visit by Health Minister
The Leader reminded Members of the intended visit to the Alexandra Hospital by the Health Minister, Dr Dan Poulter which was due to take place at some point in January. The Leader advised that he was unaware when this visit might take place and Officers were requested to enquire of the Minister the date and nature of the visit to be made to Redditch.
iii) Staff Awards
The Leader reported that he had attended the Staff awards the previous evening and took the opportunity to thank several Officers who had provided entertainment, particularly Peter Hill, Karl Stokes and Jason Simon.