Agenda item

To receive any announcements from the Mayor, Leader of the Council, Member of the Cabinet or the Head of Paid Service.

The Mayor made the following announcement:

“Thanks to those of you who attended my Civic Service on 26^th January. A collection was made for my chosen charity, Herts Young Homeless. Thank you to everyone involved and for your generous donations.

I attended the Holocaust Memorial Day service on the Campus on 27^th January, with the local Jewish community, residents, councillors and staff.  It was a very moving service remembering the 6 million Jews who had been murdered together with at least 5 million from non-Jewish backgrounds, people from the Polish, Slavic, black people Jehovah's witnesses, LGBT communities, Romany Gypsies, disabled people and political opponents, Soviet Prisoners of war. We also remembered the genocides in Bosnia (30th anniversary), Cambodia, Rwanda, Sudan and many others around the World since WW2.

I would also like to mention a great historical event for our borough, the signing of the Faith Covenant by me on behalf of the council and 15 Faith leaders on 28th January, following the council’s agreement last year under Pankit, then Mayor. It was fantastic to see so many different faiths coming together with all the hard work carried out preparing for the event by Valerie Skottowe, Chair of the Interfaith group of Welwyn Hatfield with the assistance of her Vice Chair Reynold Rosenberg and our councillors, Pankit Shah and Michal Siewniak, together with myself.  It was a tremendous event and great success.  Now the work begins with all faiths working together in understanding and peace.  It is also important that this message is delivered to young people in schools and universities to make society a better place.

Due to being oversubscribed at my previous quiz and due to popular demand, I am having a second quiz, this time at St Mary Magdalene Anglican Church at Hollybush WGC on Saturday 15th February at 7pm, the cost of which is £16.50 and includes fish and chip supper (alternatives being chicken or vegan / gluten free sausage).  There will be a raffle, so please bring cash. Please contact me directly if you would like to attend.

I am pleased to announce that I will be holding a Vintage Dinner and Dance on the evening of 7^th March at The Club at Mill Green.  Entertainment will be provided by Jive Swing who will also have a live band. The night will be one to remember so please book your tickets through the Mayor’s Office by Thursday this week to avoid disappointment.

I have also taken the opportunity this evening to say on behalf of the Council our thoughts are Councillor Fitzsimon and her family after the sad passing of her husband, Norman. Norman was the mayor’s consort twice over the years. We wish her well at this difficult time

I would like to wish Councillor Broach a speedy recovery on behalf of the Council.”

The Chief Executive made the following announcement:

“Thank you, Mayor. Our staff continue to work hard to deliver many of the vital services to our community. The Communications Team has produced a short video highlighting some of the achievements in recent months, which we would like to share with members tonight”