[The Mayor to welcome new Councillors and to move the vote of thanks to former Councillors.]
Decision:
That the Council place on record its appreciation of the valuable service rendered to the City by former Councillors Andrew Johnson, Judith Rowley, Julie Hodgkiss, Darren Warren, Christine Mills, Pat Patten, Andrew Wynne, Ian Claymore, Tersaim Singh, Malcolm Gwinnet and Barry Findlay.
Minutes:
The Mayor made the following announcements and highlighted forthcoming civic events:
1.Keith Ireland
The Mayor reported that after nearly four years as Managing Director of the City of Wolverhampton Council, Keith Ireland, was leaving the Council to take on a new challenge as the Chief Executive of Lincolnshire County Council.
The Mayor added Keith had been a visionary and inspirational leader of council staff. He had made a major contribution, supporting the Leader and Cabinet, to deliver a major programme of service transformation. This received national endorsement and acclaim at last year’s prestigious MJ local government achievement awards. The Council had won the coveted Local Authority of the Year award as well as Senior Leadership Team of the Year, Excellence in Governance and Scrutiny and Most Improved Council.
The Mayor added working with the Leader, Keith also helped the City raise its profile at a regional level as the Programme Director responsible for delivering the West Midlands Combined Authority and first regional Devolution Deal. A massive programme which was delivered to tight timescales and was now paying huge dividends to the city and region.
On behalf of Full Council, the Mayor thanked Keith for his exemplary service to the City and the Council and wished Keith all the very best in his new endeavours.
2. Wolves Promotion Party
The Mayor was delighted to report that 80,000 people enjoyed glorious sunshine on Bank Holiday Monday as the City celebrated Wolves promotion to the Premier League in style. The Council were delighted to work alongside the football club to organise the biggest party Wolverhampton had ever seen. A civic reception, open top bus parade and party in West Park complete with a performance from Beverley Knight made it a wonderful day which saw the whole city come together.
The Mayor was delighted to report that Le Tour de Bilston took place on Saturday 12 May 2018 at Bilston Market. The cycling fundraiser organised by WV Active Bilston-Bert Williams with Rotary Club of Bilston and Wolverhampton West and Discover Bilston was on target to raise £6k for the refurbishment of the town’s war memorial.
4. Forthcoming Civic events.
Armed Forces Day
The Mayor reported that the City would be marking Armed Forces Day between 25 and 30 June. The week would begin with a flag-raising ceremony at 11am on Monday 25 June at the flagpole on the piazza, which would signify the build-up to an Armed Forces Day event in the City Centre on Saturday 30 June.
Civic Sunday
The Mayor informed Councillors of the arrangement for Civic Sunday service which was taking place on Sunday 3 June at 11:15am at the Collegiate Church of St Peter.
The Mayor welcomed Councillors Jasbinder Dehar, Alan Butt, Beverley Momenabadi, Asha Mattu, Simon Bennett, Susan Roberts MBE, Clare Simm, Celia Hibbert, Barbara McGarrity, Obaida Ahmed, Sohail Khan and Jane Stevenson to the Council, and expressed the Council’s appreciation of the service provided by former Councillors.
Resolved:
That the Council place on record its appreciation of the valuable service rendered to the City by former Councillors Andrew Johnson, Judith Rowley, Julie Hodgkiss, Darren Warren, Christine Mills, Pat Patten, Andrew Wynne, Ian Claymore, Tersaim Singh, Malcolm Gwinnet and Barry Findlay.