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Agenda item

Mayoral Announcements

(i)           Apologies

(ii)          Order of business

(iii)         Declaration of discussion items

(iv)        Mayor’s announcements

(v)          Length of speeches

Minutes:

(i)                   Apologies

 

The Mayor explained that not all members were able to attend because the capacity of the Council Chamber had been reduced to accommodate social distancing measures.

 

(ii) & (iii) Order of business & Declaration of discussion items

           

The Mayor advised that Motion 6, ‘Repeal Islington Council’s Low Traffic Neighbourhoods’, would be considered after Item 5, Petitions.

 

Due to the volume of business to be considered, it was also noted that the Council may give priority to motions that had received amendments, to ensure that there could be fair debate on these items before the end of the meeting.

 

(iv)        Mayor’s announcements

 

The Mayor highlighted a number of meetings and events he had attended over recent weeks. The Mayor thanked representatives from his charities James’ Place and Forum+, who were in attendance and would speak about their work later in the meeting.

 

The Mayor was delighted to launch the annual Poppy Appeal and was humbled and honoured to attend a number of remembrance events, culminating in Remembrance Sunday. The Mayor was very pleased that the remembrance events were well attended and thanked all of those involved in the events, including the Islington Veterans Association, local cadets, council officers and councillors. The Mayor also thanked Cllr Poole, as Armed Forces Champion, for his support to the events.

 

The Mayor was delighted to launch the Reading Adventure, which encourages young people to be engaged in reading, and had also given out awards for the Summer Reading Challenge.

 

The Mayor had attended the London Political African Conference with Cllr Ismail and the Speaker of Hackney and had discussed how we can best support African communities in London.

 

The Mayor had attended the Dickens Museum to see the wonderful Oliver Twist exhibition. Local schools had contributed to the mural to raise awareness of food poverty. The Mayor was pleased that Islington’s young people had a great understanding of food poverty, environmental issues, and the need to give back to the local community and help the less well-off.

 

The Mayor had attended a number of events at the Irish Embassy, including an event to celebrate 35 years of the International Fund for Ireland, which promoted modern economic and social advancement while encouraging continued contact and dialogue across communities in Northern Ireland.

                                                                                                                            

The Mayor had attended Islington Carers Hub to speak to young people and share his experiences as a teenager.

 

The Mayor was also pleased to attend a menorah candle lighting to celebrate Chanukah alongside the Leader and Islington’s Jewish communities. The Mayor had also attended the festive light switch on across the borough. The Mayor asked that those present use the festive period to reflect on their own wellbeing, to support those who needed additional help at this time of year, and wished the very best to everyone for the festive period.

 

(v)          Length of speeches

 

The Mayor reminded councillors to keep within the permitted length for speeches. The Mayor also noted that the meeting was being webcast on the council’s website for those who were unable to attend in person.