To receive any announcements from the Mayor.
Minutes:
The Chair, Councillor I Harvey made the following announcements on behalf of The Mayor:
“I apologise for not being with you all tonight but in my absence I have asked the acting Chair to read out my announcements.
The following are the events I have attended as Mayor since the October Council Meeting:
Spelthorne's Health & Wellbeing Seminar - very enjoyable and good to see Spelthorne Officers, NHS Staff, School Staff, Community Centre Staff and volunteers come together to discuss how joined up work could be effected in the Community of Spelthorne to help residents with their health and well-being.
Surrey Police Safe Drive Stay Alive event advising and educating youth 17-19 years old how to drive safely with scenarios that used Emergency Service Staff, NHS Staff and victims and their families of driving accidents.
Talk by Nick Pollard organised by the Stanwell Local Conversation on Lord Thomas Knyvett who apprehended Guy Fawkes in the crypt of the Houses of Commons foiling the Gunpowder Plot. Lord Knyvett lived in Stanwell and was also the Lord of Staines.
Jane Eyre performed at the Riverside Arts Centre with the proceeds going to my two charities: The Stanwell Family Centre and the Spelthorne Mental Health Association. It was a very good performance and one of the actors was a Spelthorne Borough Council colleague - Cllr. Tom Fidler. Well done Tom.
Recorded a Christmas message for the Talking Newspaper that covers Spelthorne, Runnymede and Elmbridge for those with sight impediments. It was a pleasure to do.
Armistice Day Flag Raising Ceremony at Knowle Green.
Laid a wreath and attended the Wreath Laying Ceremony at Stanwell War Memorial and attended Mass.
Attended Halliford School to discuss with the Headmaster holding a Spelthorne's Got Talent contest on their premises in the new year. More about this in the New Year.
Peer Group Review - Group Leaders meeting with Peer Group Team.
Attended Spelthorne Business Awards at the Holiday Inn Shepperton. I was very proud to be part of this event and to see how successful and innovative the business in Spelthorne are, whatever their size.
Surrey Mayors Annual Dinner held for Mayors both present and past. Very enjoyable but I did not manage to get John up to dance.
Started the Staines Rotary Santa Fun Run - not only run by families but also by their dogs who accepted their medals with wags of their tails. Enjoyed a ride around Staines on Santa’s Train.
Ashford Youth Centre to meet some of those who attend the Centre and have discussions about their ideas for events, their wish to have more apprenticeships available.
Attended Philip Southcote School for secondary school age youth with Special Needs. It was a pleasure to meet these young people and learn the qualifications they had achieved and to listen to their pride in themselves and attending college and their thanks to their teachers.
Mayors Business Reception at Berkeley Homes site in Staines. Again, it was a pleasure to meet some of the entrepreneurs and other companies. Berkeley Homes made us very welcome by offering us their site and providing the drinks and nibbles. Again, money was raised for my two charities.
Council Chamber - meeting with youth who had taken part in a Leadership Course run by the Rotary Clubs of Staines and Ashford., It was good to hear how proud they were of themselves when they talked about what they had achieved.
MacMillan Coffee afternoon at the N.E. Surrey Short Stay School in Staines. I was very impressed to see the relationship between the staff and the young people attending and how they were pleased to be learning.
Christmas Lunch at the Greeno Centre where I was made to feel very welcome and enjoyed some brilliant food. It was lovely to see the local residents enjoying themselves and the way the Centre staff and the Purple Angels helped everyone whatever their needs.
Thoroughly enjoyed the Dress Rehearsal of the children's Christmas Play. It was heart breaking and both heart warming at the same time. The look on the children's faces was a pleasure to see. The staff are so dedicated to the children and it was wonderful to see them together. They were all helped to achieve to their maximum.
I have also had several meetings with the members of my Mayor's Committee and would like to say a big thank you to them for all their support and help and also to Maxine Cole my PA, who has been a very big support to me and come up with some wonderful ideas.”