[To receive the Mayor’s announcements]
Minutes:
1. Wolverhampton City Marathon
The Mayor reported the twentieth Carver Wolverhampton City Marathon was held on Sunday 3 September 2017 and reported the event was a huge success and featured six events.
He reported that since 1998 the Carver Marathon events had raised over £360,000 to help local charities, the proceeds would benefit; Compton Hospice, Samaritans of Wolverhampton, Sunnyside Kennels at Coven and The Mayor’s chosen charities.
He stated on behalf of the Council, he would like to congratulate the organising committee, the sponsors, the many volunteers, the participants, spectators and everyone concerned in staging a very successful event.
2. Wolves Pride
The Mayor reported the City of Wolverhampton Council was to hold what he hoped would be the biggest ever Wolves Pride event on Saturday 30 September 2017.
He reported the newly-formed Wolverhampton LGBT Alliance was hosting the event with support from City of Wolverhampton Council, University of Wolverhampton and Wolverhampton Homes.
He was honoured to be invited to formally open the event and gave details of the event and requested that as many Councillors as possible support the event.
3. Remembrance Sunday
The Mayor reported the Remembrance Sunday service would take place on 12 November 2017 to which Councillors had been invited and gave details of the arrangements of the civic procession and the services at Drumhead and St. Peter’s Church and he requested that as many Councillors as possible support the remembrance event in the City.
4. Councillor Claymore
The Mayor congratulated Councillor Claymore on his marriage to Paul.
5. Management Team
The Mayor reported that the City of Wolverhampton Council said farewell to Strategic Director for People, Linda Sanders on Thursday 31 August 2017. He reported that Linda had been appointed Independent Chair of the City of Wolverhampton’s Safeguarding Adults and Children’s Boards. The Mayor thanked Linda for the significant contribution she had made to the City Council and wished her every success in her new appointment.
The Mayor welcomed new Directors some of whom were new to the City of Wolverhampton Council Management Team and some of whom were already with us and taking up new roles: -
· Tim Johnson - appointed Deputy Managing Director as well keeping his role as Strategic Director for Place
· Mark Taylor - appointed as the Strategic Director for People
· Claire Nye - appointed Director of Finance
· Emma Bennett - appointed Director of Children’s Services
· David Watts - appointed Director of Adult’s Services
· Jennifer Brake - appointed Service Director for Public Service Reform
6. Wednesfield in Bloom 2017
The Mayor was delighted that Wednesfield had scooped a Gold Award in the Urban Community Category at this year’s Heart of England in Bloom awards. The Mayor congratulated the team of volunteers on a well-deserved gold award.
The Mayor reported that this year’s Heart of England In Bloom theme was ‘Greening Grey Britain’ which inspired the self-funded group of volunteers. The volunteers put a lot of effort into raising money for this year’s effort. It was only the second time Wednesfield had taken part, having secured silver last year.
7. Art Gallery
The Mayor reported the Art Gallery was proving the perfect venue for him whilst essential repair and refurbishment work was taking place in the Mayoral Suite at the Civic Centre.
The Mayor reported the Art Gallery was a truly wonderful place and he and the Mayoress had settled in very well. The Mayor was grateful to everyone at the Gallery, they had been so accommodating and very welcoming. The Mayor thanked everyone involved with the move, it had been a lot of hard work and he very much appreciated everyone’s contribution.