To receive any communications that the Mayor may wish to put before the Council.
Decision:
The Mayor advised that she had attended 73 Mayoral engagements since the October 2023 Council Meeting. In total, she had attended more than 220 engagements since the beginning of her term of office in May 2023. She stated that it was a great honour and privilege to represent the Council as the first citizen of the town.
The Mayor paid tribute to the efficient team of the Mayor’s office, including her Secretary, and was grateful for the support of the Democratic Services Team. She also thanked the Deputy Mayor for his support and for attending the engagements that she had been unable to attend.
The Mayor thanked her fellow councillors for their support and encouragement. She paid tribute to their work and dedication to the town, and also thanked officers and staff who were working behind the scenes to support her work.
The Mayor then thanked the many groups, communities, individuals and organisations who had extended the invitations to her to attend events. It had been truly inspirational to have met the winners and the nominees of this year’s Stevenage Pride Awards.
The Mayor announced that she had received many visitors to the parlour and the Ingelheim Lounge. She had attended many Christmas Carol Services and had been a part of the group singing Carols at some Care homes. Meeting the frontline staff while cleaning the streets or cutting trees were some of the things she loved to do when she had some free time.
The Mayor referred to meeting the King Charles in Stevenage’s Coptic Church, which was unexpected and a great honour to have been invited. She was particularly impressed when King Charles spoke to her about her NHS work and even laughed with her reply to his comment which could be viewed on the Royal Family Channel.
The Mayor was delighted to announce that the town had been recognised as being Dementia Friendly last month. She thanked the Council’s Leisure and Health Officer and the Alzheimer’s Society, together with the many organisations and individuals who had been working passionately to secure this recognition.
The Mayor advised that the plan for the next six months was to continue to promote all dementia activity and support available in Stevenage, including Dementia Friends training for Council frontline Staff, Members and partner organisations. Tool kits would be created for local businesses and taxi companies within Stevenage to make Stevenage even more Dementia Friendly. Another plan was to create a Dementia Hub which could support residents to find out what services were available for those living with Dementia, their families, and carers. Working in partnership with Everyone Active, the aim was to host this within the Healthy Hub at the Leisure Centre.
The Mayor concluded by announcing that she was looking forward to the next six months.
The Mayor invited the Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayor to address the Council.
The Youth Mayor and Deputy Mayor shared their journeys so far in their Mayoral year for 2023/24.
The Youth Mayor stated that their journey began with an introduction to their roles, meeting various staff members, including the Regeneration Team who introduced them to the remarkable Stevenage Better initiative, leaving them thoroughly impressed by the town's past achievements and future objectives.
The Deputy Youth Mayor commented that summer commenced with Stevenage Day, an event brimming with interactions - engaging with residents, speaking with charitable organisations, enjoying captivating performances, and connecting with the vibrant leisure and events team.
June took the Youth Mayor to Autun for the annual town twinning event, an enriching experience where she not only explored beautiful locales, but also engaged in a round table discussion, warmly welcomed by accommodating dignitaries.
The Council noted that the latter part of the year had been a whirlwind of activity. Among their engagements, the Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayor took part in significant events including:
· Heading the inaugural Stevenage Youth Festival with an opening speech, a platform to launch the festivities, and engaging with incredible partners supporting the town's youth;
· Attending the Pride awards, celebrating diversity through captivating acts and proudly presenting the Young Person's Award alongside Councillor Sandra Barr;
· Participating in this year's Remembrance Sunday, an honour that included inspecting the troops alongside the Mayor - an immensely touching experience etched in their memories;
· Recently, witnessing the spectacle of the Town Centre Christmas lights switch-on, featuring remarkable performances from Nala the station cat and Junior Andre; and
· Hosting the annual Christmas card design competition, offering a student from one of the town's schools the opportunity to craft their Christmas card, fostering creativity and community involvement.
The Youth Mayor concluded by stating that their journey this year had been full of connections, engagements, and meaningful experiences, amplifying their dedication to the community and its ongoing development.
Minutes:
The Mayor advised that she had attended 73 Mayoral engagements since the October 2023 Council Meeting. In total, she had attended more than 220 engagements since the beginning of her term of office in May 2023. She stated that it was a great honour and privilege to represent the Council as the first citizen of the town.
The Mayor paid tribute to the efficient team of the Mayor’s office, including her Secretary, and was grateful for the support of the Democratic Services Team. She also thanked the Deputy Mayor for his support and for attending the engagements that she had been unable to attend.
The Mayor thanked her fellow councillors for their support and encouragement. She paid tribute to their work and dedication to the town, and also thanked officers and staff who were working behind the scenes to support her work.
The Mayor then thanked the many groups, communities, individuals and organisations who had extended the invitations to her to attend events. It had been truly inspirational to have met the winners and the nominees of this year’s Stevenage Pride Awards.
The Mayor announced that she had received many visitors to the parlour and the Ingelheim Lounge. She had attended many Christmas Carol Services and had been a part of the group singing Carols at some Care homes. Meeting the frontline staff while cleaning the streets or cutting trees were some of the things she loved to do when she had some free time.
The Mayor referred to meeting the King Charles in Stevenage’s Coptic Church, which was unexpected and a great honour to have been invited. She was particularly impressed when King Charles spoke to her about her NHS work and even laughed with her reply to his comment which could be viewed on the Royal Family Channel.
The Mayor was delighted to announce that the town had been recognised as being Dementia Friendly last month. She thanked the Council’s Leisure and Health Officer and the Alzheimer’s Society, together with the many organisations and individuals who had been working passionately to secure this recognition.
The Mayor advised that the plan for the next six months was to continue to promote all dementia activity and support available in Stevenage, including Dementia Friends training for Council frontline Staff, Members and partner organisations. Tool kits would be created for local businesses and taxi companies within Stevenage to make Stevenage even more Dementia Friendly. Another plan was to create a Dementia Hub which could support residents to find out what services were available for those living with Dementia, their families, and carers. Working in partnership with Everyone Active, the aim was to host this within the Healthy Hub at the Leisure Centre.
The Mayor concluded by announcing that she was looking forward to the next six months.
The Mayor invited the Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayor to address the Council.
The Youth Mayor and Deputy Mayor shared their journeys so far in their Mayoral year for 2023/24.
The Youth Mayor stated that their journey began with an introduction to their roles, meeting various staff members, including the Regeneration Team who introduced them to the remarkable Stevenage Better initiative, leaving them thoroughly impressed by the town's past achievements and future objectives.
The Deputy Youth Mayor commented that summer commenced with Stevenage Day, an event brimming with interactions - engaging with residents, speaking with charitable organisations, enjoying captivating performances, and connecting with the vibrant leisure and events team.
June took the Youth Mayor to Autun for the annual town twinning event, an enriching experience where she not only explored beautiful locales, but also engaged in a round table discussion, warmly welcomed by accommodating dignitaries.
The Council noted that the latter part of the year had been a whirlwind of activity. Among their engagements, the Youth Mayor and Deputy Youth Mayor took part in significant events including:
· Heading the inaugural Stevenage Youth Festival with an opening speech, a platform to launch the festivities, and engaging with incredible partners supporting the town's youth;
· Attending the Pride awards, celebrating diversity through captivating acts and proudly presenting the Young Person's Award alongside Councillor Sandra Barr;
· Participating in this year's Remembrance Sunday, an honour that included inspecting the troops alongside the Mayor - an immensely touching experience etched in their memories;
· Recently, witnessing the spectacle of the Town Centre Christmas lights switch-on, featuring remarkable performances from Nala the station cat and Junior Andre; and
· Hosting the annual Christmas card design competition, offering a student from one of the town's schools the opportunity to craft their Christmas card, fostering creativity and community involvement.
The Youth Mayor concluded by stating that their journey this year had been full of connections, engagements, and meaningful experiences, amplifying their dedication to the community and its ongoing development.