[To receive the Mayor’s announcements]
Minutes:
The Deputy Mayor announced that he would read out the Mayor’s Communications on behalf of the Mayor.
1. COVID 19
The Deputy Mayor paid tribute to all those lost to Covid-19. The Deputy Mayor extended the deepest sympathies of the Council to grieving families and friends who had lost loved ones.
The Deputy Mayor added he was proud of the entire workforce who all had a part to play in the way the Council had responded and the City, by working as one to manage the crisis and ensuring the most vulnerable residents in the City were looked after.
The Deputy Mayor encouraged all to continue to stay alert and safe while working to relight the City following the in the City’s motto ‘out of darkness cometh light’.
2. Appointment of Honorary Recorder
The Deputy Mayor was delighted to announce that His Honour Michael Chambers QC had accepted the role as Honorary Recorder. He takes over from His Honour James Burbidge QC who left the role as resident Judge on 8 April 2020 to take up a post in the City of Worcester. The Deputy Mayor added this would be an excellent opportunity to maintain and develop a strong association between the Council and the local Judiciary.
The Deputy Mayor was delighted to announce that three people with connections to Wolverhampton were recognised as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours:
· Amarjit Cheema was awarded an OBE for services to Education.
· Dr Helen Macpherson Hibbs was awarded an MBE for services to NHS leadership.
· Christine McGowan from Whitmore Reans was awarded an MBE for services in Developing Arts in Wolverhampton.
The Deputy Mayor extended his sincere congratulations to Amarjeet, Helen and Christine and confirmed that the Mayor had written a letter to all three on behalf of the Council.
The Deputy Mayor was delighted to announce that in June 2020 there were two worthy winners of the Queen’s Award for the Voluntary Sector;
· Stratton Street Community Centre and
· The Birch Thompson (Memorial Fund) Trust
The Deputy Mayor confirmed that the Mayor had sent a letter of congratulations to both organisations on behalf of the Council.
The Deputy Mayor reported that Armed Forces Week began with a short private flag-raising ceremony on Monday 22 June 2020 outside the Civic Centre.
The Deputy Mayor added that throughout the week there were online virtual campaigns held in remembrance, highlighting our Armed Forces past, present and future.
The Deputy Mayor informed Councillors that on the Monday 22 June the Mayor and Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE, raised the flag to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the Empire Windrush, the first ship that bought people from the Caribbean to the UK to acknowledge the enormous contribution they and their descendants have made.
The Deputy Mayor reported that unfortunately due to the Covid-19 pandemic no services were held at the Cenotaph for the 75th anniversary of VE day on Friday 8 May 2020.
The Deputy Mayor informed Councillors that on Saturday 15 August 2020 the Royal British Legion held a small private service of remembrance for VJ Day at the Burma Star Memorial opposite the Cenotaph , St. Peter’s Square.
The Deputy Mayor informed Councillors that individual messages for both events were sent by the Mayor on behalf of the Council which was shared online.
The Deputy Mayor was delighted to congratulate the Wolverhampton Wanders Football Club for reaching the quarter finals in the Europa League for the first time in almost 50 years.